As Pembrokeshire is one of the most beautiful locations in the UK, there’s a fantastic range of things to see and do there, including more unusual or interesting activities.
Ranging from elevated treetop trails to immersive journeys into Iron Age villages, we’ve put together this list of the region’s most exceptional and distinctive features.
If you’re after a memorable trip out in this part of Wales, make sure to try some of these unusual things to do in Pembrokeshire.
1. Visit the smallest city in the UK
St Davids may appear like a picturesque town, quite typical to this part of Wales, but it’s famous for being the UK’s smallest city.
It’s worth visiting for this fact alone, but there are plenty of other reasons to make the journey to this fascinating city right near the western tip of the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park.
At the heart of St Davids lies its breathtaking cathedral, a stunning piece of architecture which is always a great backdrop for a photo. With over a thousand years of history, St Davids Cathedral proudly showcases the city’s rich religious heritage. Plus, it’s free to enter.
Adjoining the cathedral are the evocative ruins of the Bishop’s Palace, which you’ll have to pay to enter but it’s full of fascinating history.
Beyond its ecclesiastical wonders, you’ll find many small artisanal shops in St Davids as well as a range of great places to eat or enjoy a drink.
For those interested in getting into nature, St Davids also offers seamless access to some of the most captivating stretches of the Pembrokeshire Coast Path.
We recommend taking a short 15-minute walk south from the city to St Non’s Chapel and Well where you can get fantastic views over the sea.
Close by, you can embark on boat excursions to nearby islands such as Ramsey Island. These journeys provide fantastic opportunities for spotting wildlife, including seabirds, seals, and, with a touch of luck, dolphins.
2. Try coasteering
If you’ve never experienced coasteering, Pembrokeshire is the perfect place to try it out, not least because it’s where this adventurous activity originated.
This dynamic fusion of cliff diving, rock climbing, and ocean swimming will see you scrambling up rocks, plunging into the sea, and exploring along the coastline.
There are many companies you can book a coasteering expedition with, and you’ll be guided by knowledgeable local experts who will help you safely navigate the cliffs.
While it is the physical challenge, coasteering provides many unique viewpoints to admire the beauty of the Pembrokeshire coastline.
For those seeking unconventional experiences in Pembrokeshire and want to explore off the beaten tracker, coasteering is the perfect option!
3. Explore an island owned by monks
One of the more unusual options for a day trip in Pembrokeshire is taking a boat from Tenby and visiting the unique Caldey Island.
At the heart of this holy island lies a picturesque monastery, the home to a group of Cistercian monks. While the monastery itself is off-limits to visitors, you can enjoy the nearby shops, churches, and the rest of the island.
You can have a beach day on Caldey Island too, which is a great option if you want to escape the crowds that occupy some of the other best beaches near Tenby
There are also several walking trails around the island, including a woodland walk where you’ll be able to spot the red squirrels that call Caldey home.
For a full rundown of things to do on Caldey Island, you can read our comprehensive guide.
4. Go on a trek with alpacas
If you’re looking for unusual things to do in Pembrokeshire, then taking a hike with an alpaca is definitely one of the most unique activities.
With Pembrokeshire Alpaca Trekking, you can have a meet and greet with an alpaca then take it on a short walk around the surrounding fields.
Whether you’re an animal enthusiast, a family with young adventurers, or simply someone in search of a unique experience, interacting with these friendly creatures promises an unforgettable and joy-filled outing.
5. See the ancient Pentre Ifan
Nestled within Pembrokeshire’s Preseli Hills, overlooking the stunning Nevern Valley, stands Pentre Ifan – one of the most remarkable landmarks in Pembrokeshire.
This Neolithic burial chamber, dating back to approximately 3500 BC, is a standout feature of the Pembrokeshire landscape for anyone interested in discovering more about the ancient history of the area.
Dominating the monument is an immense capstone, weighing over 16 tons, gracefully balanced on three slender upright stones that have remarkably stood for over 5000 years.
Interpretive panels onsite provide glimpses into the monument’s archaeological significance and its role within the broader Neolithic landscape of Wales.
6. Take a boat trip to Ramsay Island
If you’re eager to fully immerse yourself in the natural beauty of Pembrokeshire, embarking on a boat trip to Ramsey Island should be at the top of your list.
This RSPB Nature Reserve sits just off the coast of St David’s. With its rugged cliffs, diverse wildlife, and sweeping ocean vistas, it promises a truly exceptional escapade for nature enthusiasts and adventurers alike.
You’ll see cliffs full of seabirds, seals basking on the rocks below, and, on rare occasions, you might even catch a glimpse of playful dolphins surfacing in the surrounding waters.
You’ll need to book a boat to get to Ramsay Island from Thousand Island Expeditions at Cross Square, St Davids, and the boats leave from the lifeboat station at St Justinians.
7. Spend time with puffins on Skomer Island
Another island that’s worth a trip to is Skomer Island, located at the opposite side of St Bride’s Bay from Ramsay Island, and it’s one of the more untouched locations in Pembrokeshire.
In spring and summer, you can get a boat from Martin’s Haven to the island for the opportunity to witness its resident seabirds and seals in their natural habitat.
The standout feature of Skoer is the puffin population that inhabit the island for part of the year. It’s one of the best places to see these beautiful birds in this part of the country, and visiting between mid-June to mid-July is the best time to see them in big numbers.
8. Look around a reconstructed Iron Age village
Exploring the Castell Henllys Iron Age Village stands as one of the best activities in Pembrokeshire if you’re looking for something a bit different.
Here you can really step back in time to feel what life was like to for Welsh tribes over 2,000 years ago.
Along with reconstructed roundhouses, you can interact with the costumed interpreters who explain more about the life of the tribe members who lived in this part of Wales before and after the Romans arrival in the country.
9. Visit the birthplace of Merlin
Everyone knows of Merlin, the mystical wizard who was a friend and ally of the legendary King Arthur, and anyone interested in digging into the roots of such myths will want to take a visit to Carmarthen.
This historic town has a lot of reasons for visiting, and one is that Merlin was born in a cave just outside Carmarthen, according to local legend at least.
There are also remains of a Roman amphitheatre at Carmarthen that you can see, as well as a castle that dates back to 1094.
10. Exploring the Mystical ‘Witches Cauldron’
Concealed amidst the cliffs near the small hamlet of Moylegrove is a unique geological feature known the Witches Cauldron, or Pwll-y-Wrach in Welsh
This is a substantial sea cave that has collapsed inwards, forming a circular inlet of water accessible only through a narrow sea channel. Its name perfectly encapsulates the enchanting atmosphere around this natural wonder.
Getting to the Witches Cauldron is a challenge worth undertaking, but this only makes it a more unusual and less explored thing to do in Pembrokeshire. It involves a scenic hike along a section of the Pembrokeshire Coast Path from Ceibwr Bay, unless you go by sea kayak.
If you do kayak here, you can explore the tunnels in the caves. Just make sure to plan ahead as access is denied from mid-August to November due to the seals gather there.
