Tenby is known for its stunning colourful houses (Image: Getty Images)
The picturesque Welsh town of Tenby is a must-see destination, famed for its vibrant houses nestled within Carmarthen Bay in Pembrokeshire.
In Welsh, the town is known as Dinbych-y-pysgod, translating to ‘Little Fortress of the Fish’, a name that perfectly encapsulates its bustling harbour.
Visitors can try their hand at fishing, soak up the sun on Tenby Harbour Beach, or embark on a boat trip to the intriguing Caldey Island, one of Britain’s holy islands.
Managed by Cistercian monks, the island welcomes visitors, though it’s advisable to confirm boat schedules beforehand.
The first monastery, belonging to the Benedictine order, was established in the 12th century but was dissolved during Henry VIII’s monastic dissolution in the 1500s.
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St Catherine’s Island is accessible via low tide from Tenby Castle Beach (Image: Getty Images)
The current monastery was founded in 1929 by Reformed Cistercians from Belgium’s Scourmont Abbey, reports .
Another nearby island, St Catherine’s Island, once belonged to Jasper Tudor, uncle of Henry VII. Accessible from Tenby Castle Beach during low tide, the island housed a small church for centuries until it was replaced by a Palmerston Fort in 1867.
Constructed in response to the looming threat of invasion by France’s Emperor Napoleon III, the fort remains a prominent feature on the island today.
Back on the mainland, Tenby offers tranquil spots at its North and South beaches for visitors to unwind. A trek up Castle Hill reveals the remnants of Tenby Castle.
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The ruins of Tenby Castle are a popular tourist spot (Image: Getty Images)
Established by the Normans in the 12th century, Tenby Castle has been a battleground for countless sieges and conflicts over the centuries.
The castle was captured in 1153, 1187, and 1260, and in the 1660s was a strategic point during the English Civil War, seized by Royalist forces for a ten-week period before their eventual surrender.
The castle’s turbulent past has led to its current state of ruin, with only a small tower left standing from its original structure.
Tenby also boasts attractions such as the Tudor Merchant’s House, Manor Wildlife Park, and the Second World War era Carew Cheriton Control Tower.