There are plenty of things to do in and around Pembrokeshire to keep you entertained during the holiday period, from scenic walks to festive outings. Here are a few of the top activities to enjoy in Pembrokeshire this winter. 

Take a coastline stroll 

Pembrokeshire Coast National Park is Britain’s only fully coastal National Park and is rated by National Geographic as one of the top coastal destinations. Witness stunning views and experience the best of Welsh wildlife across the 186-mile-long National Trail. 

Watch a pantomime 

The Torch Theatre, in Milford Haven, is offering a great selection of plays this winter. Enjoy classic tales such as Jack and the Beanstalk or a live broadcast of The Royal Ballet: Cinderella. 

Try your luck at bingo 

Wales is notorious for its love of bingo and there are plenty of establishments to choose from in Pembrokeshire. Bingo offers an excellent evening of thrill and entertainment for you to enjoy with friends and family. 

If you like the idea of something that will keep you on the edge of your seat but don’t want to visit a bingo hall, why not try your hand at an online casino? A number of different providers are available and many offer high payout rates. So go to the site, do some research, find the right provider and partake in an evening of gambling from the comfort of your home or hotel room. 

Things to help you get in the festive spirit 

If you’re looking for something a little more on theme for December, why not enjoy some of the Christmas activities Pembrokeshire has to offer?

Visit Pembroke Castle Christmas Market 

Since 2012, Pembroke Castle has hosted an incredibly popular annual Christmas Market. This year, there will be over 80 stalls selling everything from gifts, local produce, clothing, and jewellery. Admission to the market is free and on Saturdays and Sundays, and you can visit Santa for a cost of just £3 per child. All proceeds also go to charity. 

See Santa at Folly Farm 

Folly Farm is a great place to visit and for the festive period, they are hosting their very own Santa’s Grotto every Saturday and Sunday until 23 December. Santa and his elves are perfect for creating a magical experience for younger visitors and mulled wine and mince pies are available for adults. 

You can meet with Santa for £8.50 per child or for £1 you can visit the seasonal Snow Globe and meet the Ice Queen or Snow Princess. You can also enjoy a virtual reality ride, Santa’s Frosty Flyover, for just £2 per person, or decorate your own gingerbread men for £3.50 per person. 

Visit Pembrokeshire this winter 

Whether you’re looking for a breathtaking coastal view, a magical Christmas market, or an exciting evening at bingo, there is something for everyone in Pembrokeshire. 

AN 80-YEAR-OLD Crymych woman has been handed a suspended prison sentence after admitting to causing unnecessary suffering to 11 donkeys and a pony in her care over a prolonged period.

Elizabeth Palmer, of The Retreat, Llethr-Uchaf, appeared at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday (Dec 11), where she pleaded guilty to two charges under the Animal Welfare Act 2006. The court heard that between September 2023 and March 2024, Palmer failed to provide the animals with essential farrier and dental care, leaving them in significant distress.

The offences came to light following an investigation by the RSPCA, which revealed severe neglect at Palmer’s property. One donkey had to be euthanised due to the extent of its suffering.

Magistrates described the offences as “so serious” that Palmer was sentenced to 16 weeks in prison, suspended for 12 months. In addition to the custodial sentence, she was ordered to pay a £150 victim surcharge, £400 in court costs, and £3,570.62 in prosecution costs to the RSPCA.

Palmer has also been disqualified from owning, keeping, or dealing with any animals, except for dogs and cats, for 10 years. The court further granted the RSPCA authority to seize any animals in her possession, with a five-year restriction on applying to lift the ban.

Palmer’s guilty plea was taken into account when sentencing. She has been ordered to pay her financial penalties in monthly instalments, starting from January 22, 2025.

SMUGGLING PROBLEMS PERSIST

DRUGS smuggled into Parc Prison in Bridgend using drones, staff corruption, and even children’s nappies are contributing to a crisis that has seen 17 inmate deaths this year. MPs have grilled the management of the G4S-run facility – which houses many offenders from Pembrokeshire – over safety and governance issues.

Will Styles, director of HMP Parc, told the Welsh Affairs Select Committee that contraband enters the prison via several routes. “It can be thrown over the wall, brought in by visitors – hidden in bodily orifices or children’s nappies – or through staff corruption,” he explained.

Organised crime gangs, particularly those based in Wales and the Midlands, are exploiting drone technology to smuggle illicit items. “It takes 20 seconds to fly a drone over the wall, drop drugs, and exit the premises,” said Gordon Brockington, G4S managing director. “Even small amounts of drugs can cause enormous problems.”

DEATHS UNDER SCRUTINY

The committee heard that of the 17 deaths at the prison this year, eight were from natural causes, three were self-inflicted, and five were drug-related. Parc Prison houses an ageing population, with 16% of inmates aged over 50, and serves as one of two palliative care centres in the UK.

Mr Brockington highlighted the threat of nitazenes, synthetic opioids up to 1,000 times more potent than morphine, which were introduced into the prison earlier this year. Despite these challenges, he insisted that the majority of staff are not corrupt.

PROGRESS BUT MORE TO DO

Ruth Jones, chair of the Welsh Affairs Committee, pressed prison officials on whether inmates can be guaranteed safety. Mr Styles responded: “An awful lot of work has gone into improving safety and security. Self-harm and violence metrics have significantly improved, and there have been no non-natural deaths since June.”

Inmates have also reported feeling safer, and improvements to prison conditions and regimes have been noted. However, Ms Jones expressed concerns about ongoing issues, particularly the introduction of new drugs like nitazenes and the smuggling of tiny mobile phones designed to evade security.

FUTURE STEPS

The committee acknowledged that progress has been made but emphasized the need for continued efforts. Ms Jones said: “Seventeen deaths in one year is a tragedy and raises serious questions about safety. Frontline staff must be better trained to address emerging threats. Additionally, the Government must act swiftly to address the smuggling of mobile phones designed to evade security.”

The committee also noted that plans to expand Parc Prison would require addressing staffing and healthcare concerns. Ms Jones confirmed that her committee would monitor progress closely and revisit the issue if necessary.

MINISTER BACKS G4S CONTRACT

The UK Government’s Prisons Minister, Lord James Timpson, told the committee he has no plans to strip G4S of its contract to run HMP Parc. Responding to questions from the committee’s chair, Ruth Jones, Lord Timpson said he was impressed by improvements during a recent visit and saw no reason to cancel the contract.

“I’ve seen a number of prisons over the years, both in private and public ownership. It comes down to leadership and focus over the long term,” Lord Timpson said. “Despite the challenges, I think they did a lot of good things at HMP Parc, and the reasons to close a contract aren’t present in this case.”

DRUGS IN PRISONS: A PUBLIC HEALTH CRISIS

Lord Timpson admitted that tackling drugs in prisons like Parc remains a significant challenge. “We have a long way to go on drugs,” he said. “We need to see it as a public health problem and ensure opportunities for inmates to turn their lives around. Substance-free wings, education, purposeful activity, and building meaningful relationships with officers are key.”

The minister emphasized the importance of reducing reoffending through rehabilitation efforts, saying: “If we can help people leave prison free of drugs or alcohol, it will make a massive difference to reoffending rates.”

SECURITY AND STAFFING IMPROVEMENTS

Will Styles told MPs that security checks on staff have increased five-fold since June, and staffing levels have improved. “The vast majority of staff are not corrupt,” he stressed, adding that work is ongoing to address smuggling routes, including industrial-scale drone drops organized by crime gangs.

Parc Prison’s management and the UK Government face mounting pressure to implement lasting solutions to safety and governance challenges. The Welsh Affairs Select Committee has pledged to continue monitoring progress closely.