Pembrokeshire might be best known for the astounding scenery of its beaches and the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park, but there is much more to it than its award-winning shorelines. Pembrokeshire also boasts of historical medieval towns and fantastic castles, as well as pubs and taverns packed with character.
The Sloop, which can be found in Porthgain, is one of these interesting places. Located between St. Davids and Goodwick, it is on a tiny harbour that used to be an industrial centre back in the 1900s which were known for exporting bricks and granite. The remains of what it used to make a sensational backdrop to the harbour. The Sloop has been around since the 18th century and was known as Step In from back in the days when boats were able to dock beside for the sailors to enjoy a pint at the pub.
St. Dogmaels is another great village to visit in Pembrokeshire. It is located on the estuary of the culturally rich River Teifi on which the remains of Iron Age and Stone age men were discovered, as the remains of a medieval abbey stand in Strata Florida. St. Dogmaels is a former fishing village and the home of the Teifi Netpool Inn, which was once the centre of the villages salmon industry. A lot of fishing artefacts are displayed on the establishment, including an antique coracle which was once used in fishing by the villages inhabitants.
Cresselly Arms is a 250-year old pub which can be found in Kilgetty, a village north of Saundersfoot. This pub is unique in that it does not serve food, but it is traditional in the way that it serves beer from casks on stillage poured into a jug, then finally into your glass. The qualities that make it stand out, aside from the view of the Cleddau estuary, is the Victorian interior with a matching open cast-iron fireplace. Another traditional pub that shares this vibe is the Fishguard Arms which looks more like a house than a pub, which makes it hard for tourists to locate. Just like Cresselly Arms, this place does not sell food, but the traditional high counter and interior reminiscent of early 19th-century movies makes looking for this place worth it.
The Griffin Inn Pub is a laid-back and cosy beachside pub that can be found in Dale, a village overlooking a bay bordering the Milford Haven. It sits on a stone sea wall which goes by the moniker of the longest bar in Pembrokeshire. It is best known for its seafood such as lobsters and shellfish which were caught using Griffins own boat. If rooms at the inn are not available, there are plenty little Welsh cottages by the sea in this area.
Tenby has some of the greatest beaches in Europe, and an article that talks about the best places to hangout in Pembrokeshire will be incomplete without it. There is a bar in Tenby called Hope and Anchor where local fishermen traditionally gather to commemorate a successful day at the sea. It is a pub heavily adorned with maritime mementoes and is popular with both locals and holiday tourists alike.
