What follows is not an exhaustive list of all the Park's attractions. It concentrates on those within the actual boundary of the park, though more well known ones may be only a mile or two outside. Pembroke Castle and St Dogmael's Abbey are cases in point
Gardens
There are several beautiful gardens within the Park. Colby Woodland Gardens
(NT) Bosherston Lily Ponds (NT), Upton Castle Gardens
and Picton Castle Woodland Gardens. Smaller gardens of note are Moorland Cottage Garden at Brynberion, Dyffryn Fernant at Llanychaer and Penlan Uchaf in the Gwaun Valley.
There are several other smaller gardens on the borders of the park and this map of the area's gardens will help you choose. An hours drive from the Park will bring you to the National Botanic Gardens
and Aberglasney
. There are two Country parks near the Preseli Hills - Scolton Manor Country Park & Llys y Fran.
Historical
Ancient History
The Preselis are famous for being Bluestone Couuntry
and there are a considerable number of neolithic remains, of which the Pentre Ifan burial chamber, is easily the most impressive.
There is also Castle Henllys, a reconstruction of a bronze age village just outside Eglwswrw, which is worth exploring with the family
Pre-Norman conquest
The current logo for CADW is taken fron the Cross standing by the verge of the A4075 at Carew.
The church at Nevern, St. Brynach’s, was founded in the 5th Century and is famous for its avenue of 700 year old yew trees. One of them is the famous bleeding yew tree for which various legends exist. Outside there is a magnificent Celtic Cross which stands 13ft (4m) high and is acknowledged as one of the finest in existence.
Inside the church is the "Rosetta Stone" of the Celtic Ogham language as it had the Latin equivalent incised in it as well as Ogham script.
The Middle Ages
The Park has a number of castles within it. Manorbier
is easily the most impressive as it is remarkably well preserved and has a dominant position close to the sea. Carew
is not really a castle, but a dramatic Elizabethan house built in the fortified style beautifully situated overlooking the Carew tidal river.
Picton Castle has marvellous gardens and a playground that will delight children of all ages. As Benton Castle
is in private hands, its white tower is best viewed from the Daugleddau Estuary. There are, in fact, twenty castles within half an hour's drive from the park, though only fifteen are open to the public.
Cilgerran, Pembroke
and Laugharne
should certainly be on your "visit" list.
St David's Cathedral dominates the town, but the adjacent Bishops Palace, though a ruin, is also worth exploring. St Govan's Chapel
clings to the cliffs near Stackpole in South Pembrokeshire. There is a ruined church on the beach at Cwm yr Eglwys near Dinas.
Though the Cistercians of Caldey Island
have a "modern" Abbey (built in 1906), much of the ancient 12th Century Priory still remains.
In Tenby is a unique survival from the Middle Ages, a Tudor Merchant's house (NT).
Within a few miles of the park's boundaries are the remains of the Bishop's Palace at Lamphey and St Dogmael's Abbey is adjacent to Cardigan. Slightly further away, just outside Llandeilo, are the ruins of Talley Abbey
Museums
There is a museum at Tenby that relates the tale of the nautical history of the town. There are three just outside the Park's boundaries - Scolton Manor Museum, Pembrokeshire Motor Museum, and The Museum of Speed. Within half an hour's drive of the Park's Northern bioundary are a Toy Museum and an Industrial Engine Museum.
Tourist Attractions
You may, or may not, be pleased to find almost a total absence of amusement arcades (other than a few in Tenby & Saundersfoot), casinos, cinemas and tourist "traps" of any sort. The Park abounds in natural beauty rather than "man made" attractions.
However there are a few within the Park's confines (or very close) St Davids has a Farm Park, Karting takes place at Carew and as Tenby is a tourist resort of over a hundred year's standing, it also has an Aquarium and a Soft Play venue! Within three miles of the Park's boundaries are a Wild Life Park - excellent for entertaining small children - as is Folly Farm. There is a Dinosaur Park and a Sports Park. Oakwood is very near the Eastern Cleddau river. Avondale Glassmaking is at Kilgetty. Close to the Northern boundary is a Shire Horse Farm
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