Where?

Tenby, Pembrokeshire, Wales.

Why now?

Bordered by Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion and the Irish Sea,
Pembrokeshire is situated on Wales’ south-west coast. Home to a thriving
mining and fishing community, this charming county has more
recently welcomed a slew of spirited chefs, bakers and creatives,
while its lesser-trodden towns have become a go-to rural retreat
for those in the know.

We’re making the tiny harbour town of Tenby our base. Framed by a
medieval stone wall, its pastel-coloured houses practically topple
over each other in a bid to reach the sparkling sea. This is a
place that’s best explored on foot: we’d suggest taking a ramble
along the Pembrokeshire Coast Path to best discover the area’s wild
landscape. The majority of the 300km-long walking trail is at clifftop level – in some places,
standing 175m tall. Suffer from vertigo? Venture a little further
to nearby Broad Haven, where a flatter section of the route is
available.

Don’t miss

Let’s be real, you haven’t truly been on a seaside break until
you’ve scoffed your way through the entire town. Sweet tooth? Swing
by Roly’s Fudge Pantry. With 100 awards under its
belt, you’ll want to come armed with a tote bag or two – the salted
maple and pecan fudge is our pick. After indulging, art-lovers
should carve out time to visit the evocative watercolours in the
Naomi
Tydeman Gallery.

Where to stay?

For boutique bedrooms and far-reaching countryside views,
Trefloyne
Manor is the place to stay. Housed in a Victorian farmhouse,
this place is the epitome of a relaxing rural retreat. There are 14
rooms to choose from, each offering its own distinct character. We
love The Mill Room, where features of the original barn abound,
alongside contemporary furnishings – think exposed wooden beams and
an extra-large claw-foot bathtub.

Where to go for dinner?

The
Cove gets our vote for its ridiculously delicious dirty prawn
stars: fries topped with prawns, drizzled in a thermidor sauce,
anyone? If you squirm at the thought of seafood, rest assured, the
chefs cater for all palates, whipping up everything from stuffed
peppers to nacho platters and falafel burgers. The venue also runs
cocktail masterclasses: reserve a space and get ready to become a
master of mixology.

Essentials to pack

Aside from a raincoat and umbrella? These Loewe navy wool gloves will keep your mitts
feeling toasty when you’re out exploring Pembrokeshire’s windswept
coastline.

How to get there

From London, it’s a four-hour drive via the M4. Alternatively,
catch the train from London’s Paddington station to Newport, then
jump on a train to Carmarthen, from where there’s a 40-minute
direct rail connection to Tenby.

And for a drink…

Fluffy sheepskin throws? Check. Fairy-lights-covered foliage?
Check. Bougie drinks menu? We’re sold. Twelve is the sort
of place you visit with a pre-dinner drink in mind and end up
staying the entire night – and we’re absolutely not complaining.
Every corner of this hangout is picture-perfect, so expect to brush
shoulders with plenty of selfie-snappers. Insider tip: if the vodka
lemon sorbet is on the evening desert menu, order it.

Who to take with you

That friend who constantly asks you to join them on a stomp
around the nearby park. They’ll appreciate the blustery beach
walks.

When to go

Despite its diminutive size, Tenby is blessed with a plethora of
cultural events. Coincide your visit with the famous Tenby Beer
Festival (this year’s takes place on 11-12 March), where
independent distilleries serve an impressive selection of their
best beers and ciders. Sure, we’re usually more likely to order a
pink G&T than a lager, but a chance to taste-test some
world-class Welsh brews? You’ll find us at the front of the
queue.