A Town Guide to Narberth, Pembrokeshire

Narberth is a gorgeous little market town nestled in the heart of the Pembrokeshire countryside.

It is best known for its vibrant arts scene that brings all sorts of live music and performances to this small Welsh town. There is a robust sense of community in Narberth, with a thriving high street packed with independent shops and cafes, as well as a full calendar of events.

What is the History of Narberth?

The name Narberth is derived from ‘Arberth’, a pre-Norman name for the district. This Celtic heritage is represented in the myth and legend of the Mabinogion. The Mabinogion is a collection of stories gleaned from the traditions of Welsh bards and storytellers over many centuries. Narberth Castle is a ruined 12th-century fortress made famous in this collection of Welsh folk tales. According to legend Castell Arberth, the palace of Pwyll, Prince of Dyfed, stood there.

The first mention of a Norman castle at Narberth comes in 1116 where the fortress was a simple motte and bailey enclosure built of timber. It wasn’t until the 13th century that the timber castle was rebuilt in stone after it was attacked in 1299. What remains today are just the ruins. None of the features are complete but there are handy information panels dotted around the site which nicely show how the castle developed. This helps bring the site alive and imagine what it would have looked like when new.

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What activities are there to do in Narberth?

Narberth, Pembrokeshire is the kind of place where you pop in for a pint of milk and end up staying all day, due to its fantastic selection of interesting independent shops to browse.

For an arty wander, head downtown towards the castle and call in at the Oriel Q Gallery and Narberth Pottery across the road. Narberth Museum is also to be found at this end of town. It has a great interactive display as well as an independent bookshop and cafe. If you’d rather be outdoors to soak up the sun, the castle grounds are pleasantly laid with grass which makes it a lovely picnic spot.

Clock tower in Narberth Pembrokeshire

Narberth has a treasure trove of antique shops. The Malthouse Antique Centre has been around the longest and is tucked away just off the High Street. Back on the main street, you’ll find the jam-packed Narberth Antiques and Interiors with floor-to-ceiling furniture and curiosities. If you still haven’t found what you’re looking for, a hunt for the well-hidden Bazaar at the Old Brewery is a must.

For clothes and gifts, you are also spoilt for choice. Jago is a firm favourite with its discerning range of clothes, jewellery and homeware. Browse the homeware in Six the High Street or head to Tom Hughes for their classy selection of women’s wear. For something a little more different, seek out the Rock n Rolla Emporium for fab retro and rockabilly wear. The Golden Sheaf Gallery is full of genteel arts, and crafts, cards, toys, lotions and potions, so if you need a gift for someone, this is your one-stop shop.

No47 Shop, Narberth

Once you’ve had your fill of shopping, the great thing about Narberth is that it’s surrounded by countryside just waiting to be explored. Footpaths lead out from the town taking you along flourishing hedgerows and into tranquil woodlands. Head to the Town Moor car park and take the footpath down Carding Mill Lane to be enveloped in the calm of the woods. From there you can continue into Canaston Woods and further still to Minwear Forest along the banks of the Cleddau River.

Just a short drive from Narberth in Begelly is Folly Farm Adventure Park and Zoo. Expect a fun-filled day out with exotic animals, farmyard friends and exhilarating rides and adventure.

Narberth Food and Drink

Narberth is home to a wide selection of restaurants, cafes and pubs so you can be sure there is something here for everyone. Near the entrance to the town's main car park is where you’ll pass Lillies Coffee Shop. Stop for a cuppa and some breakfast or choose from their wide range of delicious homemade sweet treats as well as homemade specials which change every day. Next door is Frosty & Sweet which has a wide range of ice cream flavours on offer as well as delicious crepes and waffles made in front of you, milkshakes and pick'n'mix style sweets. Alternatively, head to Fire and Ice on the other side of town for fresh gelato and sorbet.

There’s Oh Crumbs! Bakery on the main street where you can pick up scrumptious sweet pastries and the brightly coloured Plumvanilla Cafe which offers a vegan menu and adventurous flavours. Pizza addicts will love the independent Top Joe’s Pizzeria and seafood lovers will have to stop at Madtom Land & Sea for a bite. Make sure to reserve a table at The Plas Hyfryd for afternoon tea or a special celebratory evening meal during your visit too. 

Plumvanilla Cafe in Narberth

When it comes to evening drinks you can’t beat a good pub crawl and luckily Narberth has plenty of pubs. For live sports, head to The Farmers Arms to enjoy a pint with other football heads. The Dragon Inn is another great place to watch live sports or enjoy a drink in the pub garden with its outdoor heaters and separate bar. Stop off at The Angel Narberth for top-notch homemade pub grub and a selection of the very best Welsh beers and spirits.

For something less pub-like, Hwb Narberth is a great option. This quirky bar features microbrewery ales and delicious street food. The venue is housed in the town’s former primary school. If you’re still hungry after your pub crawl through the town, Narberth has plenty of takeaways to choose from offering Chinese food, kebabs and the nation's favourite - fish and chips. 

Hwb, Narberth 

Narberth Events

An important date to mark in the calendar for music lovers is the Narberth A Cappella Voice Festival run by SPAN Arts. SPAN Arts is a community arts charity based in Narberth with over 30 years of bringing the arts to rural Pembrokeshire. This annual music event takes place in this cultural town every year around March and promises a brilliant programme of performances and concerts throughout the event. 

Also run by SPAN Arts is The Big Plant Sale, an annual community-supported fundraiser which is well-loved amongst local gardening enthusiasts. Previous BIG Plant Sales have welcomed over 1,3000 visitors to the town to see the impressive range of flowers, herbs and vegetable plants as well as plenty of food and music. 

The Queens Hall, situated on the High Street, also holds many live events throughout the year offering regular exhibitions, workshops, markets, films and weekly classes. Many of these events are run by SPAN Arts. Check out their website for the most up-to-date information regarding whats on and to buy tickets. 

SPAN Arts Venue

In July, the town hosts Narberth Civic Week; Pembrokeshire’s longest-running carnival. This community-run event is essentially seven days of fun activities for all ages including children's sports, tea dances, a dog show, swimming competitions and welly-wanging to name a few.

Later in the year at the end of September, the annual Narberth Food Festival brings thousands of food lovers to the town for tasty treats, an impressive line-up of culinary talent, over 50 specialist food stalls and a variety of entertainment.

Local Top Tips

The train station is about a 20-minute walk from the centre of the town so it's important to remember that if you're planning to visit via train. There are however regular bus routes available into town or you can book a taxi in the area.

What facilities are there in Narberth?

The main car park of the town can be found behind Hwb next to the park and playing fields. This Pay and Display Car Park at Town Moor has plenty of spaces as well as toilet facilities with baby changing and disabled facilities also available. There is a small charge for the toilets but they are open 24/7 all year.

Stock your kitchen cupboards, and head to Ultracomida Deli where they specialise in Spanish foods such as cheeses, almonds, paprika, Rioja and olives. The award-winning Andrew Rees Butchers sells the finest local meat and fish while Wisebuys sell local fresh fruit and veg. You can also browse their shelves for the huge selection of Welsh produce such as chutneys, honey, chocolates, cider and much more.

For organic produce and whole foods hit the Happy Planet Green Store which is a zero-waste shop. There is also a small SPAR on the main street with a post office opposite, and CK Supermarket is just off the main street. Towards the east of the town is another small convenience store.

Narberth not only has a wide selection of shops and eateries, but it is also the perfect location to give peace of mind to holidaymakers. Malthouse Vets is near the castle, ideal if visiting with pets. Narberth Dental Health Practice and the Health Centre are both signposted throughout the town in case there are any medical emergencies when visiting and there’s a pharmacy on the main street. If the car happens to run a flat, the staff at Narberth Tyre Services will be happy to help. And there’s even a small Police Station and Fire Station in the town.

Is it easy to access Narberth?

Getting to Narberth, Pembrokeshire couldn’t be easier if travelling by car with it only being a 30-minute drive from Carmarthen. It’s also only a 20-minute drive away from the charming seaside village of Saundersfoot, with the likes of Tenby, Pembroke and Haverfordwest nearby too. Narberth is the perfect central base for exploring the entire southern region of Pembrokeshire. 

Narberth has a railway station about a mile outside of the town and is well-connected by regular bus routes to Haverfordwest (X49), Tenby (381), Cardigan (430) and Carmarthen (322).