5 dog friendly days out in Pembrokeshire
Pembrokeshire in Southwest Wales is an incredible part of the world. The coastline is famous for being beautiful and sweeping, and the sea views and coastal paths are some of the finest in the United Kingdom, with people flocking from across the world to visit. Here are some ideas for dog-friendly days out to the area if either the weather or your preferences mean you’d rather have a cultural experience in this natural hotspot.
Pembroke Castle
There are a thousand years of history within the confines of Pembroke Castle and you can rest assured knowing they are no small confines. There are free guided tours of the area, which your dogs are welcome to join you on. They must remain on their leads and stay with you at all times, and they can’t go inside the castle’s cafe and shop. But their interests won’t be in the gift shops anyway, will they? Rather, they’ll enjoy the smells and experiences around the stunning castle and expansive garden grounds. There are exhibits, dungeon towers and all the historical gravitas you could want from a castle trip.
Visiting with dogs:
Pembroke Castle is a dog-friendly attraction, and welcomes well-behaved dogs on short leads anywhere in the castle with the exception of the cafe and shop.
Website: Pembroke Castle
Hilton Court Gardens and Crafts
These gardens are remarkable and sat in the heart of St Brides Bay. They are beautiful and tended to. Dogs are welcome on leads in the gardens, which are the star of the show. These Victorian gardens are so relaxing to meander through, with a sense of peace ever-present. Mark and Patrizia Walford are the in-house potters, so you may be tempted to do a little retail therapy and purchase some bespoke glazed stoneware if the tranquility of the gardens haven’t soothed you enough. The Woodlands Cafe is overlooking some of the most exquisite views, and your dogs can join you for afternoon tea and cake on the terrace.
Visiting with dogs:
Dogs on leads are welcome in the gardens.
Website: Hilton Court Gardens
Colby Woodland Garden
Colby Woodland Garden is one of the National Trust’s lovely countryside hotspots that is a great day-out for dog-owners and families. If there are a few things that the National Trust do perfectly, it’s the facilities (parking and doggy-waterbowls included), the expansive walking area and paths, and some British historical significance to learn about it. Dogs need to remain on their leads throughout the Walled Gardens and Woodland Gardens, but they are allowed to roam free along the trickling streams when you get to the woodlands area. The whole experience is like visiting nature’s playground for your furry-friends as well as your kids.
Visiting with dogs:
Dogs on leads permitted in meadow and woodland garden, no access to walled garden and shop.
Website: Colby Woodland Garden
Heatherton
Heatherton is not just “dog-friendly” the way most attractions are, in that they allow dogs on the premises. Heatherton, on the other hand, has activities especially geared towards dogs, like their dog agility course which is fun for the whole family to get involved in and see what their four-legged family member can do. It’s not called the Heatherton World Of Activities for nothing – there is a world of excitement and activity awaiting you. Dogs are allowed in the activity areas, even for those activities they’re unlikely to be successful in – paintballing, for example. There is so much to do that you may even be tempted to stay in the on-site accommodation, turning it into multiple days out in Pembrokeshire.
Visiting with dogs:
Dogs are welcome in most places around the park & they even have a dedicated dog agility course.
Website: Heatherton
National Botanic Gardens
There’s nowhere quite like the Carmarthenshire countryside to enjoy the best of what Pembrokeshire and Wales at large has to offer, and the National Botanic Gardens prove this point like no other. The garden is themed – there is the British Bird of Prey Centre, the exotic Butterfly House, play areas and a national nature reserve, which sit to the backdrop of iconic, stunning Regency landscape. The Gardens have even been known to host dog events, called Doggy Weekend at the National Botanic Garden of Wales. Every Monday, they have what is called “Doggy Day”, but it is important to remember that they are not permitted on the Great Glasshouse’s inner paths, the Butterfly House, nor the children’s play area. If you haven’t brought a lead, no worries – you can borrow one at reception.
Visiting with dogs:
Dogs welcome in the gardens on dedicated Doggy Days & to the walk around the outer perimeter of Garden all year round.
Website: National Botanic Gardens
These are but a few of the things available in the area – it is brimful of fun activities for you, your dogs and Facebook friends who you’ll insist on sharing your photos with. A day out to Pembrokeshire should be on every dog-owner’s list of things to do and ways to spend your time in the county.
View all our Pembrokeshire travel guides including:
Cottages in Pembrokeshire
View all our dog friendly cottages in Pembrokeshire