Our guide to Saundersfoot

Splashing about in the shallows, view-hunting along the coastal path and picking out tasty treats at Chobbles Sweet Shop, there’s a host of things to do in Saundersfoot that will make you feel like you’re on a special seaside holiday.

If you’re considering a trip to Saundersfoot, or to one of our Pembrokeshire holiday cottages or West Wales retreats, this region is an exciting destination for a break. This charming village is petite but popular due to the sandy beach that sweeps around the bay and the wide range of wonderful attractions and delights to discover.  

To make planning easier, we’ve put together our top Saundersfoot things to do – read on or check out our guide to things to do in Pembrokeshire for more holiday inspiration. For Saundersfoot retreats, click the button below.

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• Saundersfoot beaches
• Festivals and events
• Scenic Saundersfoot walks
• Castles near Saundersfoot
• More top Saundersfoot attractions
• Top places to eat
• Shops, stores and boutiques
• Map of Saundersfoot

Saundersfoot beaches

Glistening sandy shores and clear shallow waters make Saundersfoot’s beaches some of the most desirable in Pembrokeshire Coast National Park for when you’re planning days out.

Saundersfoot Beach

One of Pembrokeshire's top beaches, Saundersfoot Beach provides a wide expanse of soft sand for sandcastle building, shelving waters perfect for a paddle, and lovely coastal scenery all around if you just fancy a picnic by the sea. Lifeguards are on patrol during the summer months, and the stunning Saundersfoot Harbour sits right next door, which is a must-visit during your stay in this seaside village.

Glen Beach and Swallow Tree Cove

Two charming sandy beaches that sit side-by-side where you can walk between at low tide, Glen Beach and Swallow Tree Cove offer small but beautiful sandy spaces to enjoy. Go for a walk along the shoreline or lay down your towel for a beach BBQ at either of these charming beaches, both within a mile south of Saundersfoot.

Coppet Hall Beach

To the north of Saundersfoot stretches the pretty and soft sands of Coppet Hall Beach. Backed by a layer of shingle, a large, flat area of sand is exposed when the tide goes out, creating a perfect space for beach games or digging in the sand. Behind the beach, you’ll find Coppet Hall Beach Centre and the delicious Lan y Môr Restaurant where you can dine on fine food with a spectacular view. There's also loads of fun to be enjoyed with Good Trails who offer bike hire, paddleboard lessons, kayak tours and even megaboard hire.

Festivals and events

This quaint corner of Pembrokeshire is home to a wonderful calendar of events – look ahead to take part in one of these exciting Saundersfoot events during your holiday.

New Year’s Day Swim Saundersfoot 

A very special way to begin the year, take a dip in the sea at Saundersfoot New Year’s Day Swim to feel totally revived and refreshed for the year ahead. One of the most popular events on the Pembrokeshire calendar, and what is thought to be the biggest festive sea swim in the UK, this wonderful spectacle draws a big crowd. For those who are far too sensible to jump in the sea, you can always watch the big event from the safety of the shoreline with a big coat, deckchair and travel mug of hot chocolate.

Harbour Festival Street Food Circus

If you’re a keen foodie, head to Saundersfoot Harbour Street Food Circus in September for delights to tingle the tastebuds. With a clear pirate theme, the event is described by its organisers as a ‘treasure chest of street food recipes from around the world’. The mouthwatering dishes can be enjoyed while watching the wonderful, gravity-defying pirate circus, sea shanties and wild walkabout entertainment.

Saundersfoot Triathlon

For anyone feeling strong and keen to test their athletic prowess, this triathlon is a great sprint for sportspeople of all abilities. Whether doing it for charity, planning to get competitive with friends, or if you simply want to test your own metal, book your spot at this year’s Saundersfoot Triathlon and get stuck in with your fellow athletes. Most importantly, it’s held the day before Ironman Wales which takes place down the road in Tenby.

Scenic Saundersfoot walks

We have a whole guide dedicated to all the top walks across Pembrokeshire. All are considered moderate as they have similar terrain.

Saundersfoot Harbour

A flat and enjoyable walk that will lead you around the pretty harbour with stunning coastal views. From the harbour entrance head right past The Stone Crab restaurant and take a left onto the National Events Deck where you can enjoy the Coastal Schooner Experience, some Bubble Tea and even some crabbing! 

Follow the path around the harbour to the Marine Centre. Stop and take in the view and enjoy a freshly warmed Welsh Cake or two from MamGu Welshcakes. Continue around the harbour towards the quaint Saundersfoot Lighthouse and enjoy beautiful sea views or turn right at the Marine Centre onto Glen Beach for a sandy stroll. Head back the way you came back into the village to browse the shops or enjoy a tasty bite to eat.

Wiseman’s Bridge Circular Walk

Wiseman’s Bridge is a tiny coastal hamlet just a couple of miles from Saundersfoot, and this idyllic circular walk is a wonderful way to take it in. This walk is surprisingly packed, as you’ll get to see Stepaside, Kingsmoor and Bonvilles Court, and it traces parts of two popular walking routes in the area – the coastal path and the Miner’s Trail.  

Amroth to Saundersfoot

A simple, short, scenic route that will lead you right along the seafront with stunning coastal views in all directions, follow this Amroth to Saundersfoot walking trail for a mix of beach and cliff terrain. A moderate climb at the beginning of the walk, which then levels out to an easy flat path, makes this a nice choice for a quiet seaside stroll when you need to relax between days out.

Saundersfoot Beach to Monkstone Point

A popular trail for hiking, this route from Saundersfoot to Monkstone takes in stunning sea vistas for most of the way. There are some rougher sections that require more care, and you’re likely to meet others on the path, although you can have it to yourself at quieter times of the day. Monkstone Point is a scenic beauty spot and home to a small, quiet beach – a real hidden gem of the Pembrokeshire coast.

Castles near Saundersfoot

Wales is famed for its outstanding castles – it’s got a multitude of these ancient structures dotted all along the coast and through the valleys. These are our top picks near Saundersfoot.

Tenby Castle

Only a small, beautiful tower remains of Tenby Castle and it’s perched atop Castle Hill, an outcrop of land that’s almost surrounded by the sea. A narrow stretch of grassy bank leads across the hill and, from the tower, you can soak in views across sandy Tenby Beach and all along the coast. Take in some history, sit down for a clifftop picnic, before setting out to explore the town. As Tenby is so popular, a regular bus runs from Tenby to Saundersfoot called the Tenby Cruiser.

Carew Castle and Tidal Mill

Over 2,000 years of history await at the stunning Carew Castle and Tidal Mill, which sits 7 miles inland from Saundersfoot. This magical structure boasts a lovely mix of activities including archery, Horrid Histories talks, ghost tours, an open-air theatre and knight school! Two gift shops and a tearoom ensure you can pick up goodies before you head back to your cottage.

Manorbier Castle

An enchanting Norman castle founded in the late 11^th century and 8.5 miles from Saundersfoot, Manorbier Castle feels like it’s from a storybook and is steeped in local folklore. Explore the gardens that were designed by Daphne Shackleton, stop by the café for tea and cake, and venture into the quaint Manorbier village for more shopping and dining.

Top attractions

Aside from the magical castles throughout the area, there are plenty of other wonderful family attractions in and around Saundersfoot to keep you busy on your holiday. From farm animals to woodland adventures, get exploring.

Saundersfoot Harbour Heritage Centre

Spread over two locations, you can discover the area’s coal mining heritage in Saundersfoot’s old coal office, now the Welcome Centre, or head over to the Coastal Schooner, a life-size three-masted heritage ship sitting in Saundersfoot’s docks. The Welcome Centre is free to enter but the Coal Mining exhibit requires a ticket, as does the Coastal Schooner. Check out the Harbour Heritage website for more information.

National Trust – Colby Woodland Garden

An idyllic destination nestled in the hillside just outside of Amroth, Colby Woodland Garden is a real gem of the Pembrokeshire landscape. While the estate dates to the 1700s, the garden was established in the 1800s and has been maintained and added to over time. Today, you can explore the scenic woodland home to bluebells in spring, the enchanting wildflower meadow with a steam meandering through, and the walled garden that bursts into life in summer.

Folly Farm Adventure Park

Get up close to animals from around the world including lions, giraffes and penguins at Folly Farm Adventure Park. After seeing all the fantastic animals on the site, you can try their vintage fairground rides, hop aboard the big wheel and grab a bite to eat at the burger bar or coffee shop. With a zoo, farm, fairground and children’s play area, they’ve got something for everyone at this exciting attraction.

Places to eat

Dine out in style at these fantastic places to eat in Saundersfoot. Succulent, locally caught seafood features on many of the menus in the area, or tuck into other favourites such as quality burgers or real Welsh steak. For more options, browse our dedicated article on places to eat in Saundersfoot.

The Boathouse

Behind the beach sits this stylish gastropub, The Boathouse, which offers a lovely setting and is home to a host of favourite dishes including burgers, lasagna, and cod and chips. Time your booking right and enjoy some of the wonderful live music that they put on for their patrons – you can find their calendar of live music on their website.

The Royal Oak

A classic old-timey pub, steeped in history and heritage yet brought up to date with contemporary furnishings, stop by for a pint and a hearty meal between your seaside adventures. Believed to be one of Pembrokeshire’s oldest surviving watering holes, The Royal Oak is a charming place to dine, with menu options that include battered cod, moules mariniere, and Mediterranean grains.

The Stone Crab

A modern, eclectic, exciting restaurant with views directly on to the beach and harbour, The Stone Crab is just the place to go for relaxed mealtime vibes. Stop by for a lovely selection of seafood dishes or simply treat yourself to one of their wonderful drinks to enjoy cocktails on the beach.

Shops, stores and boutiques

A perfect place for some retail therapy by the sea, browse through Saundersfoot’s shops full of charming gifts and goodies, from clothes and jewellery to crafts and sweets.

Chobbles Traditional Sweet Shop

For a little bit of nostalgic charm – or if you simply have a sweet tooth! – head down to Chobbles Traditional Sweet Shop. With shelves stacked with toffees, liquorice all sorts, jelly sweets, mints, boiled sweets, chocolates and fudge, you’ll be spoilt for choice. They also do hampers and have non-edible nostalgic memorabilia too if you need gifts for your loved ones.

3 Beaches

A wonderfully quaint little gift shop, 3 Beaches is just the place to pop into at the end of your holiday when you're searching special goodies, homewares and trinkets to give loved ones or take home for yourself. You're sure to find enchanting mementos of your holiday when you step inside. From framed artwork, kids clothes, larger pots and vases, and wall hangings, there's something for everyone in this characterful seaside souvenir shop. 

Saundersfoot Harbour

We felt like Saundersfoot Harbour needed a special mention as it hosts a contemporary set up of retail units, all set together right on the harbourfront, that is perfect to visit if you enjoy shopping. Work your way around each hut and you’ll find a lovely selection of retailers including big brand Saltrock, and quality independent stores such as Eleven, Little Bee House, and Ocean Jewellery.

Map of Saundersfoot

To plan your holiday adventures, take a look through our map of things to do in Saundersfoot.

Holidays in Saundersfoot, Pembrokeshire

Hide out in one of our enchanting holiday lets in Saundersfoot. With country cottages, sea-view homes, and contemporary apartments in our collection, we have a wonderful range of boltholes – and for more choice check out our guide to the top places to stay in Pembrokeshire.

Browse through our collection of Saundersfoot cottages and find your perfect retreat today.

Saundersfoot holidays