The UK's ancient seaside town that's surrounded by medieval walls and crystal-clear waters
The walls are assessed as one of the most important surviving medieval city walls in Britain.
The UK has hundreds of stunning seaside towns, each offering something different. But one stands out for its rich history, crystal-clear waters and well-preserved medieval walls. Tenby is a small town in southwest Wales and has been drawing visitors for centuries. Known in Welsh as Dinbych-y-Pysgod - meaning “Little Fortress of the Fish” - it sits on the Pembrokeshire coast and is surrounded by old stone walls built to protect it during the Norman period.
The walls are assessed as one of the most important surviving medieval city walls in Britain. They were built in the 13th century by the Earls of Pembroke and improved in the 1450s. The town played an important role in the medieval period as a trading port. Goods were shipped to and from Spain and Portugal, and the harbour remains a focal point today. In later years, Tenby became popular with holidaymakers, especially during the Georgian and Victorian eras. One of the most fascinating stories from Tenby’s past is the escape of Henry Tudor, later Henry VII, who fled the country through a tunnel beneath the town during the Wars of the Roses.
According to local stories, he and his uncle were hidden by locals and then helped onto a ship headed for France.
Today, visitors can explore the town’s cobbled streets, colourful houses and historic buildings.
What’s more, nearby St Catherine’s Island is home to a Napoleonic fort that was briefly turned into a zoo in the 1960s.
At one point, it was said to house over 100 animals, including monkeys and a crocodile. The island is now open to visitors and offers views across the bay.
Tenby is also known for its beaches, with three main sandy stretches - Castle Beach, North Beach and South Beach.
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Castle Beach has won awards and is popular with families. North Beach is wide and open, with views of the sea and Goscar Rock. South Beach is the biggest and perfect for long walks.
Tenby Harbour Beach, set within the town’s walls, is ideal for a day out.
Families enjoy paddling in the crystal-clear water, relaxing on the sand, or grabbing a snack from the nearby café. The beach also opens up to dog walkers in winter.
Boat trips also run from the harbour to Caldey Island, a peaceful spot run by Cistercian monks.
Visitors can buy handmade chocolate and explore quiet walking paths. The island is open to the public on most summer weekdays and Saturdays, according to Visit Wales.
The town has also inspired artists and writers. Dylan Thomas, one of Wales’s best-known poets, was a regular visitor.
A mural now marks his favourite pub, where he once left behind a manuscript.
Tenby is also the birthplace of Robert Recorde, the man who invented the equals sign.
