Pembrokeshire stars in three of the six episodes in BBC One’s new series All At Sea. The programme sees Gavin & Stacey star Joanna Page and opera singer Wynne Evans exploring the Welsh coastline by boat taking in some of the destination’s top spots from the coastal town of Tenby to the island of Skomer, the Cleddau Estuary and the small city of St Davids.
Pembrokeshire specialist Coastal Cottages highlights some of the best places to stay in each.
Tenby and Saundersfoot
Tenby has four fantastic beaches and from here there is an enjoyable walk along the coast to Saundersfoot (around two hours) for those keen to enjoy some stand up paddleboarding and doughnuts on the beach as shown in All At Sea. SUPs can be hired through https://www.outerreefsurfschool.com.
In Tenby, stay in the quayside home The Cabin this gorgeous property overlooks the harbour on one side, and Carmarthen Bay on the other. The first-floor Grade II listed apartment – probably Tenby’s most “architecturally important building” – can sleep up to six people. Every room has stunning but different sea views and there is a balcony on the Harbour side which catches the sun for most of the day making it perfect for enjoying breakfast or cocktail hour. A week’s self-catering stay in The Cabin for up to six starts in 2024 from £559. Children under 10 cannot stay here but babies under 1 are welcome (Images here)
Large parties will love Lower Anchorage, Tenby a stunning house for eight set over four storeys with glorious sea views. The open plan living space on the first floor features large sash windows making the most of the superb views. The four bedrooms are spread over two floors with a bathroom or shower room on each floor. A week’s self-catering stay in Lower Anchorage for up to eight starts from £860. (Images here) (www.coastalcottages.co.uk, 01437 765 765)
Skomer and Cleddau Estuary
Explore Skomer from the water. See the vast colonies of Puffins, Guillemots, Razorbills, and thousands of other seabirds on the water and soaring above the cliffs. Watch out for seals basking on the rocks, and porpoise feeding on a one-hour cruise around this Marine Nature Reserve. Bookable through Pembrokeshire Islands Boat Trips
Kittiwake Cottage, a lovely detached modern house located in the popular village of Marloes just two miles from Martin’s Haven, where the boats depart from. Sleeping eight across four bedrooms a seven-night break starts from £696. The stunning beach of Musselwick just a mile away is also a great for those wanting to escape the crowds. www.coastalcottages.co.uk, 01437 765765)
Known as the “secret waterway”, the Cleddau Estuary runs through the county from Milford Haven to Haverfordwest so it is largely hidden from the rest of the world.
Salar is a pretty, semi-detached stone cottage, which once formed part of the old village school, which international best-selling crime writer and steeple chase jockey Dick Francis attended in his younger days. It is in the picturesque estuary village of Lawrenny where he was born. Comfortably and stylishly furnished, it has a spacious open-plan living area with an exposed stone wall and wood burning stove for those chillier evenings. A stable door leads out to an enclosed garden with sheltered patio.
The Cleddau Estuary is just a 15 minute walk away. A week’s for up to four starts from £630. (www.coastalcottages.co.uk, 01437 765 765) Image here. Coastal Cottages can arrange kayak hire through its Concierge service.
Milford Haven
Wynne and Joanne also moored up in Milford Haven. Shearwater is a stunning waterside ground floor apartment on Milford Waterfront. The lovely light L-shaped living space with modern fitted kitchen, dining area and comfortable seating offers breathtaking views of the water, sliding doors open to an enclosed paved waterside terrace, the perfect place to enjoy a morning coffee while watching the boats coming and going.
Purchase fresh fish landed on the quay by local fisherman or just yards from the door there is a range of restaurants, cafes and boutique shops to explore. Milford Waterfront offers something for everyone, with galleries, a museum detailing the area’s maritime history, ten pin bowling as well as the Torch Theatre just a short walk away. A weeks’ stay for four from £473. (www.coastalcottages.co.uk, 01437 765765 Images here
St Davids
The “All At Sea” Adventure ended in St Davids. Book a break at Gorwel in the centre of this tiny city. Enjoy meals in the formal dining room with its charming antique dresser and feature fireplace. The newly fitted kitchen with breakfast table overlooks the rear garden, while a second sitting room provides the perfect quiet spot to read. Perfectly situated with the Cathedral, the Bishops Palace and a great selection of shops, pubs, and restaurants a short stroll away. A week’s stay for up to six starts from £528 (www.coastalcottages.co.uk, 01437 765765 Images here
