A Victorian harbour resort surrounded by 13th century town walls has been named as one of the top places to live thanks to its picturesque charm, Blue Flag beaches and abundant wildlife
Tourists have been flocking to a gorgeous little town on the southwest coast of Wales for over two centuries but it’s also a ‘great place to live’ for those who crave an idyllic life by the sea. Trips to the coast have long been a favourite pursuit during weekends and school holidays. Getting away from the stress of everyday life and breathing in the rejuvenating sea air while browsing local cafes and shops or playing in amusement arcades makes for a great day out or longer break.
But for those who don’t want to leave the serenity and joy behind and are considering a full-time life by the sea, one resort on the southwest coast of Wales could be the perfect place to put down roots. Pembrokeshire is renowned for its stunning coastline dotted with pretty towns but Tenby is arguably one of the most magical.
Its most famous beach, Castle Beach, was named as Britain’s best in 2019 by the Sunday Times and the town was listed in restless.co.uk’s top places to live in the UK. Tenby sits on a headland where the Atlantic Ocean meets the Irish Sea and is surrounded by a medieval stone wall. Thanks to its beauty and pristine, sandy beaches tourists have been flocking to the resort for over 200 hundred years. There are huge stretches of golden sand on the Blue Flag beaches for families to enjoy or to stroll along while taking in the breathtaking views.
A short 20-minute boat ride away is the remote and peaceful Caldey Island which is inhabited by monks who sell handmade soaps and perfumes. Here you can spot various seabirds, red squirrels and if you’re really lucky some seals. There are wildlife parks and walks within the surrounding area and along the coastal path for nature lovers.
There’s also plenty of history and culture to soak up too. The ruins of Tenby castle overlook the harbour and exhibits at the museum and art gallery include a 16th century wrought-iron cannon. The town’s streets are quaint and narrow with multi-coloured buildings and quirky shops selling locally produced items. During the summer they are pedestrianised and the local bars and restaurants set up al fresco dining areas.
Visitors to Tenby have shared their experiences on Tripadvisor. One wrote: “Charming, if not beautiful harbour with, at low tide fine clean sands. Leisure craft, inshore fishing boats, and tourist day trip / ferries to Ramsey Island make for an attractive sight, particularly when at anchor. Surrounding the harbour are some very handsome buildings, notably the “Mariners church”, and numerous Georgian and Victorian houses, hotels, some converted into restaurants, cafes. Super place to watch the world go by – local ice cream optional.”
Another said: “It is a place of beauty, a working environment with walkways, restaurants, cobbled streets and archways, smells and sounds. I loved it. It is so interesting to wander around from the lifeboat to the shore to see its working heritage. To the more modern aspects of tourism and restaurants, people queuing for boat tours and sea food kiosks. The cobbled streets with arches of shops and curios.” A third shared: “Tenby is your quintessential beach town. Dotted with cafés and bars, narrow lanes that are beautifully embellished with flowers; squeezing in a few tables and chairs here and there. It is bustling with people and everybody seems to be having fun. A great place to visit in summers.”
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