About Tenby and the Local Area

Water's Edge - how it began ...

There are 19 luxury apartments over two buildings at Water’s Edge plus a beach-side restaurant on the ground floor of building one. Construction started in 2011 with building one being completed in 2013 and building two in 2018.

The luxury development is right on Tenby’s south beach and caused quite some controversy when planning consent was granted by the National Park Authority. It was thought by many that such a development would never be allowed in such a location and it is true that there are very few similar developments in a national park, beach location, anywhere in the UK. Previously, there had been Fountains Café on the site, although it had fallen into disrepair and this was probably one of the reasons why consent was eventually allowed. Initially, all the apartments were for ‘holiday’ use only and, as part of the planning conditions, a number of affordable homes also had to be provided in the local area.

Building one is beach-side and building two is close to the cliffs but all apartments were arranged to provide great views of the south beach and over to Caldey Island. ‘Sandy Shore’ (apartment 1) has a deck and outside terrace leading straight on to the south beach.

Two unusual facts:

[1] Part of the land and cliffs at Water’s Edge is an ‘SSSI’ (site of special scientific interest) as it’s a location for an unusual type of snail.

[2] The Festival of Britain beacon, sited next to Salty’s Shack near the zig zag walkway, is a Grade II listed building, said to have been erected on the Esplanade, and altered for the 1951 Festival of Britain and subsequently moved to south beach. The beacon has a cast-iron tall column with a fluted base and has a bowl for the beacon with torches around the rim. A moulded ring at the foot and the top flared out to a vertical-sided bowl with 4 cast-iron antique torches attached to outside (see image).

BBC Countryfile Magazine Awards

Pembrokeshire Coast came first in a reader-poll by BBC Countryfile. A judging panel shortlisted 5 destinations, and the readers of the magazine voted on the 'Best Holiday Destination' category in the awards. This year almost 180,000 votes were cast by nearly 30,000 people who decided that Pembrokeshire Coast was the winner of the prestigious accolade of 'Holiday Destination' of 2018.

Sunday Times - Castle Beach voted the best beach in the UK

Published 21 July 2019 - Tenby's Castle Beach named as the UK's best beach out of 422 beaches in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.

Tenby is a delightful little harbour town and seaside resort, and it would be difficult to find a more picturesque setting. The town itself is home to many restaurants, shops, cafes and pubs all linked by cobbled streets. In the summer the centre of Tenby is closed to traffic from around mid-July to mid-September and becomes a pedestrianized haven where pubs and cafes spill out into the streets.

Tenby's hilltop position led to its early settlement as a Welsh stronghold, which was replaced in medieval times by a Norman Castle and walled town. Part of the town walls survive to this day and are an attractive feature at the entrance to the old town.

Until quite recently Tenby was known as "Little England beyond Wales" and the town remains a rather anglicised part of Wales. From the early 19th century, Tenby became a fashionable holiday destination for both the Welsh and the English, and its attractions to the holidaymaker are just as obvious today, with the fantastic beaches stretching to the north, the west, and the south of the town.

Situated within the UK’s only coastal national park, you’re spoilt for choice if a barefooted stroll on the sand or a bracing salt-water dip is on your agenda. Our beaches have prestigious Blue Flag status for their cleanliness and water quality and are regularly voted to be amongst the most beautiful beaches in the world.

Named Best Beach in Europe 2014, Harbour beach is home to the iconic St Julian’s chapel, Harbour Cafe and Tenby Sailing Club, which welcomes members and non-members alike. The beach is a must for those of us who haven’t truly arrived at the seaside until we’ve heard that evocative clinking of boat rigging in the breeze and the gentle splash of waves against a hull.

Award-winning Castle beach sits at the foot of Castle Hill and St. Catherine’s island which is known for its impressive fort, a former private residence and zoo. Access is weather and tide dependent but offers impressive views of town, sea and coast.

Licensed fishing boats operate from kiosks in Castle Square, where you can book your place, borrow a rod and lifejacket and hopefully catch your own dinner! Delicious mackerel, flatfish and sea bass are all plentiful in our waters. Also find here the booking office for the boats to Caldey which run regular trips to our neighbouring holy island from Spring to late Summer.

For something a bit more high-octane, on North beach Tenby Water Sports offers the jet ski safari, water-skiing and plenty more to get your blood pumping!

Fabulous South beach is nearly two miles of golden sand that stretch out towards Penally and Giltar, backed by sand dunes more than 10 feet high that offer welcome shelter on a breezy day. The views over to Caldey from here are unrivalled, and with ice cream in one hand and a good book in the other, you can watch the windsurfers and water sports enthusiasts and find your own slice of paradise on this most perfect of beaches.

Saundersfoot is just around the coastline where you can walk through the tunnels to Wisemans Bridge and a pub serving good food. Walk to Saundersfoot from North Beach or it's a short drive by car or local bus. One good option is to walk one way and the other by bus.

Other good cliff-top walks are to Lydstep Bay & Manobier. Or Amroth, which is onward past Saundersfoot and Wisemans Bridge.

There are lots of adventure parks for the children to spend time either watching animals from around the world, Folly Farm is one of the most popular plus there's Anna's Welsh Zoo or riding on a roller coaster at Oakwood Theme park. There is an indoor climbing centre in Tenby or Battlefield live to practise your laser shooting. If you enjoy trampolining then head off to Hangar 5 in Haverfordwest.

For more relaxed fun there is National Trust's Colby Woodland Gardens in Amroth, where you can enjoy a duck race, pond dipping or a guided walk taking in the natural wildlife, flora & fauna through its 8 acres of land.

Pembrokeshire has a diverse mix of activities and places of interest which will inspire the whole family and keep you coming back year after year.

Places to see

There are lots of videos on YouTube about Tenby and places to see around Pembrokeshire. The following video has some new and interesting places to visit, even for those who come regularly - click here

Some notable dates

It often seems that there's always something going on in Tenby, including Tenby Street Food Festival in June, right outside the apartment!

2024	2023

Jun 7-9	Jun 16-18	Tenby Street Food Festival, South Beach car park

Jun 21-23	Jun 30-Jul 2	Long Course Weekend

Aug 11 + 25	Aug 13 + 27	Harbour Summer Spectacular & Fireworks Display

Sep 22	Sep 3	Ironman Wales

Sep 28-29	Sep 23-24	Narberth Food Festival

Nov 8-10	Nov 10-12	Tenby Blues Festival