Top things to do this autumn in Pembrokeshire

Experience the best of Pembrokeshire in autumn

Pembrokeshire in autumn is a magical season when fewer crowds mean emptier beaches (with lifted dog restrictions) and more freedom to explore at your leisure. Here are some of the most popular things to do in Pembrokeshire in autumn to help you make the most of your October and November getaways.

One of our favourite things to do in Wales in autumn is exploring the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park. With over 50 beaches across 186 miles of coastline and one of the best seaside footpaths in the world, autumn is the perfect time to visit if you want to avoid the crowds. Stroll along the sands with only the ebbing tide for a soundtrack and hike the Coast Path to sightsee a wealth of wildlife.

Experiencing autumn in Wales is special; watch the leaves turn from bright green to a vivid spectrum of oranges, reds and yellows. Enjoy fireside pub lunches, family days out at the best attractions in Wales and excellent autumnal events including Bonfire Night displays and Halloween Spook-taculars. 

Autumn is an excellent time for children to explore the outdoors.

Explore Pembrokeshire's autumnal outdoors

Embrace the chillier weather by wrapping up warm and letting the autumn breeze whip the cobwebs as you enjoy a hike, an open-water dip or a scenic stroll to soak up the autumnal landscape.

Autumn walking in Pembrokeshire

Lace up those boots for a crisp stroll under a canopy of changing colours with our recommended autumn walks in Pembrokeshire. Ty Canol Wood near Newport is like something out of a fairytale with the iconic Pentre Ifan burial chamber nearby, whilst Lawrenny Woods takes you along the riverside that snakes through in-land Pembrokeshire.

The Coast Path promises sea views stretching to Ireland and Mumbles depending on which direction you look, while the Preseli Hills are best known for being the location of the Stonehenge bluestones and King Arthur’s tomb.

Quieter Pembrokeshire beaches

The number one advantage of out-of-season getaways to Pembrokeshire has to be fewer crowds. Visit Pembrokeshire’s beaches during autumn in Wales; a hidden gem like Traeth Llyfn is one you’re likely to have to yourself while at Newport Sands, you’ll benefit from extra breathing space.

One of the best things to do in Tenby in October is to wander around the town from North Beach to South Beach and soak up the space while there are fewer visitors. Check out our Tenby cottages to plan your stay. 

An empty Tenby North Beach 

Try watersports

Breezy days often make for good waves and as the water hasn’t yet reached freezing, autumn is a great time to dive into the shores with some watersports in Pembrokeshire. Newgale, Whitesands and Freshwater West are some of the county's preferred beaches for surfing whilst Abereiddy's Blue Lagoon is a top choice for coasteering.

Watersports including surfing, kayaking and coastering can be booked through our Concierge team (01437 772758); sessions may run a little less frequently out of the school holidays but they are all available all year round so you can give it a go any season.

Autumn events in Pembrokeshire

Some of Pembrokeshire's best annual events take place in autumn. This is the season for Half Term, Halloween and Bonfire Night so expect plenty of seasonal events.

Events in Pembrokeshire in October

Visit Pembrokeshire in October for a calendar bursting with October Half Term activities perfect for children and plenty of Halloween events. Towards the end of October, Saundersfoot hosts its annual Big Bang Weekend; a Halloween/Bonfire Night celebration with spooky activities and fireworks displays to keep all the family entertained. Several pumpkin patches open during this month too, such as Tenby Pumpkin Patch and Pembrokeshire Pumpkins.

Events in Pembrokeshire in November

Visit Pembrokeshire in November for Guy Fawkes Night celebrations; Solva Harbour and Milford Marina are two of our favourite fireworks displays in Pembrokeshire with pretty reflections over the harbours below. 

Solva fireworks display 

Tenby Blues Festival

This live music festival takes place every November and takes over the town with blues performances in various venues. Whilst a handful of the events are ticketed (book in advance to avoid disappointment), many are free as part of the Blues Trail which sees pubs, restaurants and more act as pop-up music venues.

Visit a theme park or family-friendly attraction

Family days out to Pembrokeshire’s great attractions at this time of year means less time spent queueing and more playing!

Folly Farm & Zoo

One of the best places to visit in Wales in autumn, Folly Farm offers the chance to see lions, tigers, giraffes and penguins as well as farmyard animals like pigs, chickens and goats. Alongside the outdoors play area, their undercover barn houses a fantastic Vintage Funfair with dodgems, a carousel, a ghost train and more - perfect on rainy days!

Heatherton Country Sports & Adventure Park

Open all year round (bar a few days over Christmas), you can practise archery, baseball and go-karting at Heatherton. Try adventure golf, ride the bumper boats and walk on water. Brave the high ropes and play paintball or take the toddlers to the indoor play area and inflatable zone.

The park is dog-friendly with no entry fee, meaning you only pay for the activities you want to take part in. Other indoor activities include Escape Rooms and an indoor bowls green plus there’s a golf course (outdoors) here to keep you busy throughout the week. 

Walk on water at Heatherton

Explore Pembrokeshire's castles

What is a visit to Wales without spending a day at a castle? No matter the season, sightseeing a castle during your stay is a must and Pembrokeshire certainly has some that will impress you.

Pembroke Castle

Standing tall in the centre of Pembroke overlooking the millpond below, Pembroke Castle is best known for being the birthplace of Henry VII. Explore the grounds and see the large floor map of Pembrokeshire before taking a tour of the exhibitions and displays illustrating days gone by. They even run family fun days and other events throughout the year.

Carew Castle

A serene 23-acre millpond also surrounds this remarkable castle, with a level pathway that offers a wonderful circular walk past the nearby Tidal Mill. Take an audio tour to learn more about Carew Castle’s 2000-year-long history or visit for one of the special events they host such as apple-pressing and child-friendly Halloween activities. 

Carew Castle from across the millpond

Discover local wildlife

The coastline might be quieter in terms of people, but you could say it’s busier in wildlife with plenty of birdlife and sealife to see across the coastline.

Seal pup spotting in Pembrokeshire

Come September, various inlets and inaccessible coves become awash with fluffy white seal pups as this is the breeding season for Atlantic Grey Seals. Take a wildlife boat trip to Ramsey Island or walk the Coast Path to spot baby seals in their natural habitats. 

Always admire from a safe distance away as parent seals are often only in the shallows collecting food for their pups, be careful not to disturb them.

A seal pup in Pembrokeshire

The Welsh Wildlife Centre

Located near Cardigan, you can wander nature trails, spot bird hides and see willow sculptures - you can even hire binoculars to help you spot those harder-to-see animals. Watch informative films about the resident wildlife and hire Explorer Backpacks to keep the little ones entertained.

Top your day off with a bite to eat or a refreshing cuppa in the cafe, and purchase a little memento to take home from the gift shop. It is completely free to enter The Welsh Wildlife Centre making it a great money-saver, particularly for those larger families.

Tour a woollen mill

If you adore autumnal/winter, you probably appreciate a cosy knit too. And where better to purchase a new one for the season than at a local woollen mill where you’ve seen the inner workings of the manufacturing process?

Melin Tregwynt Woollen Mill

Set near Abermawr Beach, you can discover the remarkable behind-the-scenes at this 18th-century mill which has been in operation since 1841 and maintains traditional weaving practices. Open 7 days a week with a cafe and shop on site, visit on a weekday to see the looms in motion weaving the iconic designs we associate with Tregwynt fabrics today.

Blankets at Melin Tregwynt shop

Solva Woollen Mill

Based on the banks of outer Solva, you can see the workings of the warping mill (built-in 1899) as it produces its creations. Open Monday to Friday during autumn, you can browse all sorts of woollen masterpieces before you pop into the tearoom for a cuppa.

Spend autumn in Pembrokeshire

With plenty of things to do in Pembrokeshire in autumn, this region of West Wales promises a great getaway during those post-summer months. Browse our October half term holiday cottages for a school holiday stay or see what cottages are available throughout the whole of October and November.