Top Things to do in Haverfordwest
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8 Free Things to do in Haverfordwest That You Shouldn't Miss
Discover the best top things to do in Haverfordwest, United Kingdom including The Sheep Shop, The Ark, Wiston Castle, Preseli Hills, Little Haven Beach, The Welsh Spitfire Museum, Nant y Coy, Haverfordwest Castle.
Restaurants in Haverfordwest
1. The Sheep Shop
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 9 reviews
The Sheep Shop is a wonderful gift shop in the centre of Haverfordwest, the county town of Pembrokeshire. We are proud of our many ranges including: •Welsh and Celtic Crafts •Pictures of Pembrokeshire •Sheepskin Slippers and Gloves •Welsh Beers Wines and Spirits •Cuddly Toys •Lovespoons a speciality •Rugby tops and Welsh costumes •Celtic Jewellery •Cardiau Gymraeg •Fudges,Preserves and Biscuits •Locally made chocolate ..and much, much more
2. The Ark
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 11 reviews
Our shop is packed with natural, healthy and organic foods ranging from traditional basics like nuts, seeds, dried fruits, cereals and grains to special dietary needs products for Paleo, Keto, vegan, gluten and dairy free diets. Join our sustainability efforts to reduce single-use plastics and browse our growing section of plastic free products as well as our refill station for cleaning products and body & hair care products. Bring your own containers or use our plant-cello bags or paper bags for loose products. Furthermore, we stock home brewing equipment and kits. We have a comprehensive array of vitamins, minerals, essential oils, flower essences, homeopathic and herbal remedies and source them carefully. We run our Natural Health Clinic which is a collective of professional practitioners who offer the best in complementary health care in a warm and caring environment. A wide range of therapies are available to help restore physical and emotional health.
Reviewed By sallyboyton
Having worked myself into a painful 'locked neck' situation from too many sedentary hours at my desk, I decided to try the Bowen Technique to alleviate my symptoms. I was experiencing excruciating pain in my neck and down into my right shoulder blade, which over time had sent my whole body into spasm. The impact of my first treatment with Lise I can only describe as magical as I felt considerably better within hours. The tension in my body during treatment transformed from pain to a tingling sensation around the area of injury and I was pleased to fall into a long awaited deep sleep following the session, after which I was able to move more freely. I had this treatment in the period following the COVID-19 lockdown and I was impressed to see that Lise was following a professional PPE procedure which didn't affect the treatment she provided. I found Lise to be extremely knowledgeable, approachable and attentive to understanding and solving my specific needs. I'm also interested to understand how the Bowen Technique can help with hormonal imbalance. Thank you Lise, I will happily recommend your service to anyone.
3. Wiston Castle
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 19 reviews
Reviewed By 923Dan - Swindon, United Kingdom
Another day, another free CADW castle to visit in Pembrokeshire with the kids. A little tricky to find on the edge of the village, but parked up next to a CADW van (one of their property managers doing their inspections), that gave a hint, and we were right across the road from the entrance. Stunning Motte and Bailey Castle Ruins - well maintained and preserved by CADW. The steps up to the castle have no handrail, so please take care. Great views north to the Preseli Hills. Well doone CADW.
4. Preseli Hills
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 17 reviews
Reviewed By sarahbZ287GV
Enjoyed a great walk in the Preseli Hills during our recent holiday in the area.Car parking was easy in an off road park. We followed a path that had obviously been traveled by quite a few before as we didn't want to get lost in a place that was new to us. We were walking in mid-November and there were places where the ground was really boggy so take care and wear good footwear. We did take on our walk on a lovely clear day, which is essential if you want to really appreciate the views. My dog, Holly Terrier, and I didn't come across any farm animals on our walk but if you have your dog with you take a lead as there were a few wandering sheep in the far distance.
5. Little Haven Beach
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 18 reviews
Reviewed By MichelleFRamsay - Bridgend, United Kingdom
A stunning sandy beach which just gets so much bigger when the tide goes out and you can then walk along the beach to Broad Haven. We parked at the hotel we were staying at but I believe there is parking available near the beach. Lots of rock pools and can go for a walk along the coastal pathway. The Castle pub is right there overlooking the beach supplying drinks and takeaway food as well as the Corner Cafe. Also lots of holiday accommodation available to rent. Definitely a beach to visit with kids.
6. The Welsh Spitfire Museum
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 54 reviews
Reviewed By tonysK4638JG - Pembroke, United Kingdom
A charity shop with a difference, also incorporates a Spitfire Museum where you can spend hours looking at the exhibits
7. Nant y Coy
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 30 reviews
Recently re-opened - Nant Y Coy estate is spread over 30 acres and combines a grade 2 listed watermill with original wheel, a fantastic cafe which serves local ethically sourced and forged foods, specialty coffees and freshly made gelato. It also boasts a stunning woodland walk through its private temperate rain forest which supports a range of ferns, mosses, fungi and lichens and is listed as a site of special scientific interest. It promotes wildlife through its organic hay meadows and acres of heathered walks up to the unique rock formations and historic Iron Age fort. There are picnic areas throughout including in the water meadow along the banks of the Western Cleddau river which winds through the gorge. Opening soon is the children's nature trail where they can collects clues along the train and win a prize at the end.
8. Haverfordwest Castle
Overall Ratings
3.5 based on 65 reviews
Reviewed By 786carolb - Birmingham, United Kingdom
Saturday 17 August 19, My husband and I decided to go to visit Haverfordwest Castle, situated high on a hill in the centre of the town. Haverfordwest Castle is a stone keep motte and bailey fortress built between 1110 and 1113. The castle was built by Tancred the Fleming, husband, of Gwladus (the aunt of Gerald of Wales). Gilbert de Clare appointed Trancred’s son Richard fitz-Tranced as the custodian The castle was first attacked (unsuccessfully) by Gruffydd AP Rhus, Prince of Deheubarth, between 1135 and 1136. In 1173 the castle had its first royal visit by Henry II of England who passed by the town coming back from a trip to Ireland. In 1188 Gerald of Wales visited the castle with Archbishop Baldwin during his progress around Wales preaching for the 3rd Crusade that Richard the First, the Lion Heart led to the Holy Land. By 1200, many of the original timber buildings had been replaced with the first stone buildings, including a rectangular north eastern tower to serve as the castle's keep. In 1210 King John passed Haverford in order to sail to Ireland to crush a rebellion by the Normans there. In 1213 the King persuaded William Marshal, who had inherited the surrounding Marcher Earldom of Pembroke to garrison the castle in return for an exorbitant sum of money; William Marshall was at this time already extremely wealthy. William Marshal was responsible for replacing most of the original timber walls, towers and gatehouse with stone in the 1210s, and by 1220 little remained of the original castle. Today all that remains of the 1120 establishment is a large square keep in the north-east corner of the inner ward. This reconstruction to strengthen the castle was due to the persistent attacks during this period. In 1217, Llewellyn Fawr (Llewellyn the Great)), Prince of Wales threatened William Marshal and in 1220 he burned the town but failed to take the castle. Following the burning of the town, it was rebuilt greater than before and developed quickly in the 13th century as a commercial centre due to its position and its navel links at the centre of Pembrokeshire. In 1248, Humphrey II de Bohun acquired the castle and resisted an attack in 1257 by Llywelyn AP Gruffudd, Prince of Gwynedd (Llywelyn the Last). In 1265, Haverfordwest castle was taken by William de Valence, Earl of Pembroke, during the Second Baron’s War, but in 1274 royalty intervened and granted it back to the de Bohun family, to the next generation, Humphrey III de Bohun. In 1284 King Edward I and Queen Eleanor of Castile visited the castle for the first time during a royal pilgrimage to St David’s. Eleanor fell in love with the castle. Four years later she borrowed a huge amount of money, from the de Bohun family and loaned £407 to fully rebuild the castle and complete its transition fully into stone. A massive scale re-construction took place, and it was completed a year later in 1290, shortly before she died, the castle then became known as the "Queen's Castle at Haverford". Today much of what remains is dated to Queen Eleanor's 1290 version, including the extensive curtain wall. The castle remained in Royal possession after Eleanor's death and it was granted out to various wealthy tenants. In the 14th century, the castle was occupied by many owners; amongst them was Edward, the Black Prince, from 1359 to 1367. The castle was owned by the crown from 1381to 1385, who paid for restoration works of the castle. These works proved important later, as in 1405 the castle was strong enough to fend off an attack during Owain Glyndwr’s War of Welsh Independence The town walls around the high ground near the castle also did much to protect the castle from invaders, although nothing remains of these town walls today. By the 16th century, however, the castle had become dilapidated and subsequently was re-fortified during the English Civil War. In 1644 Haverfordwest Castle was occupied by the Royalists, but they abandoned it after misinterpreting the noises of cows for a Parliamentary army. It was recaptured and held for the king for a year, who finally surrendered it after the Battle of Colby Moor. Oliver Cromwell sent letters to the castle, ordering it to be destroyed in July 1648 and threatened to imprison the townsfolk unless it was demolished. This derelict medieval castle was then converted to a prison in 1779 My husband and I took lots of photographs of this historic and important castles. If you are a history fan and love castle, then this is one for your bucket list. PLEASE NOTE: There is parking at the castle, but you must get a free parking ticket from the museum, otherwise you run the risk of being clamped and a £ 70 fine.
