The Welsh of Tenby is a stunning location that must be added to the top of any to-visit list. Known for its colourful houses, the Pembrokeshire town is located within Carmarthen Bay.
The town’s name in Welsh is Dinbych-y-pysgod, which translates to ‘Little Fortress of the Fish’: a name that will make complete sense when you visit the town’s small, but busy, harbour.
Here you can take part in some fishing yourself, enjoy some sun and sand at Tenby Harbour Beach, or take a boat trip to the rather unique Caldey Island, which is one of Britain’s holy islands.
Owned and run by a group of Cistercian monks, the island is open to visits, although it’s recommended to check in advance if boats are sailing on the day of your visit.
Tenby is known for its stunning colourful houses -Credit:Getty Images
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The first monastery on the island was one of the Benedictine order and was founded in the 12th century, before being dissolved in the 1500s during Henry VIII’s dissolution of the monasteries.
The current order founded their monastery on the island in 1929, when a group of Reformed Cistercians from Scourmont Abbey in Belgium arrived on the island.
Another island off the coast of Tenby is St Catherine’s Island, which was once owned by Jasper Tudor, the uncle of Henry VII.
St Catherine’s Island is accessible via low tide from Tenby Castle Beach -Credit:Getty Images
St Catherine’s can be accessed at low tide from Tenby Castle Beach. For centuries the island’s only building was a small church, until this was demolished in order to make room for a Palmerston Fort in 1867.
The fort was built due to the threat of invasion by Emperor Napoleon III of France, and can still be seen on the island today.
Back on the mainland, visitors to Tenby can relax at the the town’s North and South beaches, or make their way up Castle Hill to see the ruins of Tenby Castle.
The ruins of Tenby Castle are a popular tourist spot -Credit:Getty Images
Founded by the Normans in the 12th century, Tenby Castle has been the site of numerous sieges and battles throughout history, from being captured by Welsh forces in 1153, 1187, and 1260, to being the site of battle during the English Civil War, when it was captured by Royalist forces for 10 weeks before they were forced to surrender.
This long history has seen the castle fall into disrepair, with only a small tower remaining of the castle’s structure.
Other highlights of Tenby include the Tudor Merchant’s House, Manor Wildlife Park, and the Second World War era Carew Cheriton Control Tower.