Pembrokeshire is a great road trip and Tenby is one of its best fishing villages, however due to its location it can get tricky to find good days, so here’s things to do in Tenby in the rain so that you make the best use of your holiday here! (If you don’t plan to read or nap!)
The air was thick with sea spray as I made my way to St.Govan’s Chapel, a quirky yet rare location worth visiting.
We were not too far from Tenby, where we’d spend a couple of refreshing hours.
Tenby is one of the best seaside towns in Pembrokeshire, Wales, known for its sandy beaches and mediaeval town walls.
The town attracts thousands of tourists who want to spend time on the beaches and enjoy the small town. Tenby lies along the Pembrokeshire Coast Path, which covers some of the most stunning coastal scenery in the country.
The town used to be called ‘Dinbych y Pysgod’, which is Welsh for ‘little town of fishes’.
However, this stunning town isn’t just about fishing, be it sunny or not! Even if you end up finding a rainy day here when visiting, here’s some of the best things to do in Tenby in the rain (and some when it isn’t!)
Following the Norman conquest in the twelfth century, the town developed into an important Norman port, and a castle was built on Castle Hill to defend the town.
The walls that you can see around the harbour today were constructed by the Normans in the late thirteenth century after three attacks by the Welsh forces.
The harbour is lined with colourful, pastel-painted houses and has a thriving boating and fishing community. Boats from the Tenby Harbour depart for the peaceful Caldey island regularly.
Tenby is a great summer Welsh holiday destination with plenty of indoor things to do if you are here in the rainy or winter season. There are many Tenby attractions like the Tudor Museum or theme parks in the town which you can enjoy in the rain.
Things to do in Tenby in the rain
Here’s what to do in Tenby irrespective of the weather!
Pembrokeshire still looks beautiful in the rain, but understandably, you wouldn’t want to be outdoors for long. There are a few things to do in Tenby in the rain – indoor Tenby attractions where you can spend time without worrying about the rain.
Tudor Merchant House
The Tudor Merchant House is a late 15th-century townhouse furnished with household items and furnishing as it was in 1500. The National Trust maintained this building after it was donated in 1938.
By stepping into the building, you’ll be able to see the world of a prosperous merchant and his family in Tudor Tenby.
The house is open for guided tours only. You need to book tickets in advance and arrive at the allocated time to start the tour on time.
DETAILS
Address: Quay Hill, Tenby SA70 7BX, United Kingdom
Timings: Open times and days are limited. See calendar here
Approximate price: £6.50 for adults, £3.25 for a child
Tenby Museum and Art Gallery
Established in 1978, the Tenby Museum and Art Gallery is the oldest independent museum in Wales.
The museum overlooks Castle Beach and Caldey Island. It has two art galleries – one which has the permanent collection and the second exhibits changing temporary exhibitions.
The first art gallery displays the work of many famous Welsh artists such as Gwen and Augustus John, John Piper, David Jones, John Knapp Fisher, John Uzzell Edwards, and Meirion Jones.
You should also see ‘Story of Tenby Gallery’, which shows the town’s history from the 9th century onwards.
You can read about the Museum’s upcoming exhibitions here.
DETAILS
Address: Castle Hl, Tenby SA70 7BP, United Kingdom
Timings: 10am – 4pm from Wednesday to Saturday (last admission 3.30pm)
Approximate price: £4.95 for adults. Children can accompany adults for free.
St Mary’s Church
St Mary’s Church, one of the largest parish churches in Wales, is in the centre of the town. The building dates from the 15th century, with some features retained from the 13th century.
The feature that stands out is the carved chancel roof with a paneled ceiling and carved bosses. The Church has two chapels, St. Thomas Chapel and St. Nicholas Chapel. The Church has many memorials from the 15th to 19th centuries.
DETAILS
Address: High St, Tenby SA70 8AP, United Kingdom
Approximate price: Free entry
Llewellyn’s Gallery
Llewellyn’s Gallery is a photographic gallery which showcases the work of fine art photographer Gary Llewellyn. The Gallery has framed and mounted Limited Edition Prints and Llewellyn’s latest work that you can purchase.
This is a great place to buy a souvenir – the artist has beautiful photos of the Pembrokeshire landscape.
The Gallery is located near the Old Market Hall and is open on all days except Sunday.
DETAILS
Address: Cobourg Shop, Upper Frog St, Tenby SA70 7JD, United Kingdom
Timings: 10:30am – 5pm from Monday to Saturday
When it comes to fun things to do in Tenby, I can’t help but think about its many theme parks.
While I don’t think you will be able to enjoy the parks entirely in the rain if it’s still pouring and you have more time to spend in Tenby, consider doing indoor activities at any of these theme parks in Tenby.
Dinosaur Park
The Dinosaur Park is an amusement park with walking trails, rides and lots of activities for kids.
While they have indoor activities, you’d be missing out on a lot if you actually visit when it rains – so this is not one of the best things to do in Tenby in rain.
This is an excellent place for families with kids, and there are enough rides and activities for kids to spend half or an entire day here. You can buy tickets here.
DETAILS
Address: Gower View, Gumfreston, Tenby SA70 8RB, United Kingdom
Timings: Days when the park is open and opening time available here
Approximate price: £15.95 for adults, £14.75 for children
Heatherton World of activities
This park has different zones for activities. There are many activities here that you won’t be able to do in the rain. But there are indoor activities that you can do here, such as laser clay pigeon shooting, escape rooms, indoor bowls etc.
Pre-booking is a must due to covid restrictions, especially if you want to visit during school holidays. Book your visit here.
DETAILS
Address: St Florence, Tenby SA70 8RJ, United Kingdom
Timings: Opening times vary: available here.
Approximate price: Credit pass system for individuals/families. £14.60 to £22.65 for individual credit-based passes. Check more information here.
Dinosaur Park
The Dinosaur Park is an amusement park with walking trails, rides and lots of activities for kids.
While they have indoor activities, you’d be missing out on a lot if you actually visit when it rains – so this is not one of the best things to do in Tenby in rain.
This is an excellent place for families with kids, and there are enough rides and activities for kids to spend half or an entire day here. You can buy tickets here.
Folly Farm
Out of the different zones at this park, you can only experience the barn and parts of the zoo indoors. Folly Farm also has indoor play areas for kids. The large fairgrounds and outdoor play areas are best suited for when it’s not raining.
Pre-booking is not necessary, but if you’d like to book tickets in advance, book here.
DETAILS
Address: Begelly, Kilgetty SA68 0XA, United Kingdom
Timings: Planned opening times are available here (subject to Covid restrictions).
Approximate price: £21.95 for adults, £19.95 for children, annual pass available too
Tenby attractions you can see when it’s not raining
If you’re here when it’s not raining, you can spend time at one of Tenby’s beaches. You can indulge in water sports, swim or simply sit by the beach. These are the three main beaches in Tenby –
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Tenby North Beach – Large sandy beach with some rock pools and the Goskar Rock, often crowded during summer
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Tenby South Beach – Another sandy beach but less commercialised as compared to the Tenby North Beach
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Castle Beach – Smaller, sandy beach close to the Tenby Harbour
You should be able to rent deck chairs, find change rooms, and find cafes to eat at all the beaches.
Tenby Harbour
Spend time at the pretty harbour lined with pubs and restaurants. The Tenby Harbour also has a small beach called the Harbour Beach.
Sunset is a great time to be at the Tenby Harbour, and later you can spend time at the Harbour Brewery, a great place to try local brews and seafood.
Glamping Tenby
Tenby attractions include glamping sites, a great way to experience the coast.
There are many small towns, villages and neighborhoods dotting along the Pembrokeshire coast which have glamping facilities – and each of them has a unique specialty to boast of. The most popular choices for areas to stay are Tenby, St.Davids, Milford Haven and Fishguard to name a few.
Many yurts, bell tents and treehouses are available for glamping in Tenby. However, if you’re looking for a great experience, irrespective of how the weather turns out, consider opting for a luxury glamping experience – Unique Hideaways is a good option.
DETAILS
Address: Eastern House, Porthcurno, Penzance TR19 6JX, United Kingdom
Timings: Mid-May to late October 10 am to 5 pm
Approximate price: Adult £9.00 / Children under 18 (under 5 are free) £5.50 / Student £8.00 / Family (2 adults and up to three children under 18) £26.00
Things to do around Tenby
Places to visit around Tenby include St David’s, Milford Haven, Pembroke and Saundersfoot.
While there is no dearth of beautiful coastal towns in Pembrokeshire, many of these are a little far from Tenby. If you have limited time, here are the best things to do near Tenby.
Caldey island
Getting to the peaceful Caldey island needs only a few minutes by boat from the Tenby Harbour. Caldey Island is home to a group of Cistercian monks who farm the land and sell their products to visitors.
Boats run from the Tenby Harbour to Caldey island every half an hour except Sundays. The weather affects these trips, and no boat will likely sail to the island if you are here in stormy weather.
The boat will drop you at Priory Beach on the island. There are no vehicles on the island, so you’ll have to walk.
The island is a haven for flora and fauna – you can possibly see red squirrels, hedgehogs and Soay sheep on the island. You can visit the Old Priory, Sy Iltyd’s Church, and St David’s Church.
A small village shop sells the chocolate and perfumes that the monks produce. You can also see how the chocolate sold here is made in the chocolate factory. You can walk around the coastal path and get a view of the island from the lighthouse on the island.
St Catherine Island
St Catherine island, or St Catherine’s Rock as it is called locally, is a tidal island near Castle Beach. St. Catherine island is worth visiting for its spectacular views and wildlife. You can see the fort while on the island and spend time at the beach.
You can walk to St Catherine Island from Castle Beach at low tide.
The island is accessible only if you visit when the tide’s out, and the weather is reasonable. Check the daily Facebook announcements here and information about in-season visits here to know if it’s accessible when you plan your visit.
You can also check the tide timetable to know about high tide Tenby when the island is not accessible.
Manorbier Castle
The Manorbier Castle is a Norman castle located in the Manorbier village, about 10 kilometres away from Tenby. You can walk up to the seaside castle and spend time at the Manorbier beach.
Pre-booking is not needed, but the castle is closed on some days every month.
DETAILS
Address: Manorbier, Tenby SA70 7SY, United Kingdom
Timings: 10 AM – 4 PM
Approximate price: Adults £6 for adults, £4 for children and seniors
Freshwater West
About 28km away from Tenby is Freshwater West, Wales’s most dependable spot for a good surf session. Freshwater West Beach is considered one of the best places to surf in Wales.
The peaks can go as high as 6-8ft, and beginners shouldn’t surf here due to the strong undercurrents. The best time to surf is between April to October.
How to get to Tenby?
By air: The closest airport to Tenby is Cardiff. Cardiff Airport is 150 km away from Tenby. You can get to the airport by car (about 2 hours) or train/bus (5 to 5.5 hours). Cardiff is well connected to London, Belfast, Edinburgh and many other European cities such as Amsterdam, Paris, Malaga etc.
By train: You can get to Tenby via train from Cornwall, London, Swansea, Manchester, Edinburgh and many such destinations in the UK. Trains are usually open for booking 3 months in advance in the UK.
By road: Get to the A478, which will take you to Tenby. Like trains, many major cities are connected to Tenby by bus.
Tenby from London
Tenby is well connected to London by road, bus and train.
By road: Tenby is about 382 kilometres away from London. You can drive to Tenby in 4.5 hours or take the bus.
National Express runs frequent coaches from London to Tenby. The bus departs from Victoria Coach Station in London and arrives at Tenby’s Upper Park Road bus stop. Tickets cost between £22-£29
By train: There is no direct train to Tenby. You’ll have to change the train at least once to get to Tenby or even twice.
By air: There are no direct flights. Flights will need 3-5 hours or more due to the stop/s.
It’s easier to take the bus or drive to Tenby than travel by train or flight.
Best time to visit Tenby
Tenby has a temperate maritime climate with warm summers and cool winters. It rains throughout the year and can, as such, be unpredictable when it comes to rain.
June, July and August are the hottest months in Tenby. If you visit in August, the island has more visitors due to school holidays. Winters (December – March) are cold and wet. The winter months get the most rainfall.
The best time to visit Tenby is anytime between April to September. But if you want to avoid crowds, avoid the summer months: the island gets thousands of visitors every summer.
It’s best to check weather forecasts before planning your visit as there are only limited Tenby things to do when it rains.
Many Tenby attractions, such as beaches and theme parks, are best to visit when it’s not raining.
Things to do in Tenby in the Rain – FAQs
What to do if it rains in Tenby?
If it rains in Tenby, you can visit a few places, such as the Tudor House, Tenby Art and Museum Gallery, St Mary’s Church and do indoor activities at a few of the theme parks in the town.
Where can I go on a rainy day in Pembrokeshire?
St On a rainy day in Pembrokeshire, you can do indoor activities or see the city’s churches and art galleries.
The weather in Pembrokeshire is quite unpredictable, but it rains more in the winter months, with October being the wettest month. It is partly cloudy throughout the year and can rain during any month.
Where can I go in the rain in Wales?
There are many indoor things to do in Wales, whether you are in Cardiff, Swansea or one of the towns in Pembrokeshire. You can shop, spend time at one of the museums, spend time at indoor activity centres or spend time at an art gallery in the city.
Is Tenby good for a holiday?
Yes, Tenby is good for a holiday if you are here for the beaches or to enjoy its small-town atmosphere. The attractions in Tenby also make it an excellent place for family holidays with kids due to its many theme parks and zoos.
Things to do down Tenby also include seeing Norman castles and nearby islands.
What county is Tenby?
Tenby is a part of Pembrokeshire county. It is a part of the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park on the western shore of Carmarthen Bay.
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