News
Pembrokeshire: The affordable Summer destination for families

PEMBROKESHIRE is making waves as the ultimate value-for-money summer destination for families seeking a memorable holiday experience without breaking the bank – that is according to Visit Pembrokeshire which it pitching the county as a value-for-money destination.
With the cost of living continuously on the rise, finding an affordable vacation spot has become crucial for parents looking to provide their children with the best possible experience. Pembrokeshire not only offers a diverse range of attractions, from stunning beaches comparable to those in the Mediterranean to thrilling activities, wildlife encounters, and culinary adventures, but it also stands out as one of the most affordable holiday destinations in the UK.
Visit Pembrokeshire, the region’s official tourism organisation, is determined to showcase how Pembrokeshire surpasses its popular neighbour, Cornwall, in terms of affordability. To demonstrate this, they have prepared a pound-for-pound comparison of holiday favourites, revealing how far your money can go this year in Pembrokeshire compared to Cornwall.
When it comes to dining out with the family, Pembrokeshire presents excellent options at reasonable prices. The Boars Head in Templeton offers a delightful meal in a family-friendly setting, consisting of 2 courses excluding drinks, for just £60.80. On the other hand, The Cobweb Inn in Boscastle, Cornwall, charges £63.70 for a similar experience.
Indulging in a delectable ice cream treat on a sunny day is a must during a summer getaway. The Scoop at Milford Waterfront in Pembrokeshire offers a single scoop in a waffle cone for a mere £3. Similarly, Valenti’s in St. Ives, Cornwall, serves the same for £12. Clearly, Pembrokeshire presents a more cost-effective option for those seeking a cool and refreshing treat.
When it comes to the quintessential British dish of fish and chips, Pembrokeshire takes the lead in affordability. Marina Fish n’ Chips in Saundersfoot offers a satisfying portion of cod and chips for £9.05 or a smaller portion for £5.25, which amounts to just £28.60 for a family of two adults and two children. In contrast, Rick Stein’s Fish n’ Chips in Padstow, Cornwall, charges £14.90 for the same dish, with children’s portions priced at £6.95, resulting in a total of £43.70 for a family of four. Pembrokeshire undoubtedly emerges as the more budget-friendly choice for this classic seaside delicacy.
For those seeking adventure on the open seas, Pembrokeshire offers exhilarating boat trips at reasonable rates. Saundersfoot Sea Safaris takes you on a 1.30-minute Wildlife/Historic Caldey Island tour, with tickets priced at £22 for adults and £18 for children, totalling £80 for a family. Padstow Sealife Safaris, located in Cornwall, offers a Seal Sealife Safari lasting 1 hour, with adult tickets priced at £27.50 and children’s tickets at £20.00, resulting in a higher total of £95 for a family. Pembrokeshire proves to be the more economical choice for those looking to explore the wonders of the sea.
Surfing lessons are a popular activity for families seeking thrills and spills on the waves. Outer Reef Surf School in Pembrokeshire offers a 2-hour lesson for £40, making it an ideal choice for families with two children at a total cost of £80. On the other hand, Harlyn Surf School in Cornwall charges £45 for a 1.5-hour lesson, resulting in a higher cost of £90 for a family. Pembrokeshire once again provides better value for money in this adrenaline-fueled activity.
Apart from these fantastic cost-saving activities, Pembrokeshire shines with its range of family and inter-generational accommodation options. The region boasts excellent campsites and self-catering holiday choices, making it the ideal destination for families of all ages.
Celtic Camping & Bunkhouse Accommodation, located just four miles from St Davids, offers group accommodation in a stunning coastal setting with panoramic views of the Irish Sea. With direct access to the renowned Pembrokeshire Coastal Path, spanning 186 miles along breathtaking coastline, Celtic Camping provides the perfect base for an unforgettable holiday. Prices start from £84 per night for a tent accommodating four adults and three children.
For families who love outdoor activities and hiking, Caerhafod Lodge Bunkhouse Accommodation within the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park is an excellent option. The beautifully converted stone barns provide comfortable hostel accommodation with spectacular views. The hostel features a self-catering kitchen, a spacious sitting room, two sea-view patios with BBQ facilities, and all rooms are en-suite. Rates for dormitories are £25 per person per night for adults and £20 for children under 16. A family of four (two adults and two children under 16) can enjoy a four-bed en-suite room for £90 per night. Alternatively, exclusive hire of the bunkhouse for up to 23 people costs £425 per night, with a minimum two-night stay.
Folly Farm Adventure Park and Zoo, nestled in 100 acres of stunning Pembrokeshire countryside, offers a range of accommodation options to suit various budgets. From luxury lodges with hot tubs to gold award glamping safari tents and a campsite with electric hook-up, the park caters to small and large groups. Adding to the excitement, the park offers Showman’s Wagons reminiscent of traditional fairground caravans. With a zoo, a farm, and a fairground, Folly Farm guarantees entertainment for the whole family. The Twiga glamping tent, accommodating six people in three bedrooms, starts from £769 per week.
For a unique and luxurious experience, consider renting The Sandcastle, a stunning six-bedroom colonial-style villa that can accommodate up to 12 guests. The villa boasts outdoor and indoor swimming pools, a hot tub, a steam room, and additional amenities such as a home cinema room, snooker table, and tennis table to keep younger family members entertained. Prices start from £54 per person per night, and a one-week stay comes with two additional nights free.
Slebech Park Estate, an 18th-century Georgian Manor located within the Pembrokeshire National Park, offers a tranquil hideaway with a rich historical backdrop. Set amidst 650 acres of meadows, woodlands, and riverside walks, the estate provides a picturesque setting for an extended family retreat. A Classic Room, including breakfast, starts from £140 per night, allowing guests to immerse themselves in the beauty of the surroundings.
For more information and inspiration on free and low-cost activities in Pembrokeshire, Visit Pembrokeshire’s informative website offers a plethora of ideas to make the most of your visit. Discover the breathtaking coastline, explore local attractions, and create lasting memories with your family. For a detailed guide, visit their website at https://www.visitpembrokeshire.com/articles/7-memorable-things-to-do-for-free
News
‘Bitter disappointment’: Wales left out of UK steel rescue

Emergency bill to save Scunthorpe reignites anger over Port Talbot closure
WELSH politicians from across the political spectrum have accused the UK government of double standards, after emergency legislation was passed to protect a steelworks in England—while similar calls for support in Port Talbot were ignored.
The backlash follows the passing of a bill in Westminster aimed at saving the British Steel plant in Scunthorpe, where the UK’s last remaining blast furnaces are under threat. In contrast, Port Talbot’s blast furnaces were shut down in September 2024 with the loss of 2,800 jobs—without any such intervention.
Plaid Cymru’s Westminster leader Liz Saville-Roberts told Parliament: “Scunthorpe gets security. Port Talbot gets a pittance.”
She said the same emergency powers now being used to protect jobs in England could have been used to save blast furnace steelmaking in Wales, calling the lack of action for Port Talbot a “bitter, bitter disappointment.”

‘Wales treated as second-class’
The Port Talbot site is now transitioning to electric arc furnace technology, with a new plant expected by 2027. While this is seen as a move toward greener steel production, the method requires fewer workers—leading to widespread concern about long-term job losses and economic decline.
Plaid MS Luke Fletcher said Welsh steelworkers were promised support if Labour won power at both Westminster and the Senedd—but the final outcome looked very similar to what the Conservative government had already put forward.

Welsh Conservative MS Darren Millar said the UK Parliament should have recalled the Senedd during the Port Talbot crisis, just as it acted swiftly for Scunthorpe. “When crisis hits Wales, it’s tolerated. When it hits elsewhere, it becomes a national emergency,” he said.
Liberal Democrats: ‘Salt in the wound’
David Chadwick, MP for Brecon, Radnor and Cwm Tawe, said the decision to step in now for Scunthorpe while Port Talbot was left to suffer had enraged his constituents.
“It’s rubbing salt in the wound to now hear the government call primary steelmaking a strategic national asset—months after letting our own furnaces go cold,” he said.
“My grandfather worked the blast furnaces at Port Talbot. He would be heartbroken to see this level of inaction for Welsh workers.”
UK government defends its stance
Ministers have defended the difference in approach, arguing that the two sites face different circumstances.

Industry Minister Sarah Jones said the Labour government inherited a deal with Tata Steel that it could not reopen but improved upon. “There was a private investor willing to move forward in Port Talbot. That’s not the case in Scunthorpe,” she said.
Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds added that Scunthorpe is the last site in the UK still producing virgin steel, making it strategically vital. “This is about national resilience. The world is changing, and we need the capability to produce primary steel for defence and key infrastructure.”
Still, for many in Wales, the damage is done.
One Port Talbot resident told The Herald: “It’s clear now. If this was happening in the South East of England, it would have been called a national crisis. But because it’s happening in Wales, it’s business as usual.”

Crime
Haverfordwest man to stand trial over assault and strangulation allegations

A HAVERFORDWEST man is set to face trial later this year after denying multiple allegations of assault and strangulation involving the same woman.
James Jeffrey, aged 41, of Hill Street, appeared in court charged with six separate offences said to have taken place in Pembrokeshire.
He is accused of assault occasioning actual bodily harm on June 30 last year, and of battery on December 29.
Further charges relate to an alleged strangulation and another assault causing actual bodily harm between January 15 and March 10 this year.
Jeffrey also faces allegations of criminal damage and a third count of actual bodily harm, both said to have taken place on March 8. The criminal damage charge relates to the woman’s mobile phone.
He pleaded not guilty to all six charges.
Judge Geraint Walters listed the case for trial on October 27. It is expected to last four days. Jeffrey was granted bail until then.
Community
American madrigal choir brings harmony to Pembroke

MAGICAL madrigal memories will linger long after Pembroke and District Male Voice Choir hosted a visiting youth choir from the United States at Pembroke Town Hall on Monday (April 7).
The 50-strong Mountain View High School Madrigals from California — aged 14 to 18 — wowed the audience with their exquisite close harmonies, delivering an unaccompanied performance from their wide-ranging repertoire.
In a touching tribute to their hosts, the young American singers performed a note-perfect rendition of the Welsh classic Myfanwy, before joining the Pembroke choristers in a moving version of Calon Lân.
The local choir, under the baton of Musical Director Juliet Rossiter, responded with a trio of songs: African Prayer, World in Union, and, fittingly, Elvis Presley’s American Trilogy. Accompanist for the evening was Rev William Lambert, with Matthew John acting as MC.
Pembroke’s Town Crier, Gareth Jones, welcomed the visitors with his trademark booming voice, and the Mayor of Pembroke, Councillor Ann Mortesen, presented a town crest to the visiting choir’s musical director, Jill Kenny. Choir chairman Huw Morgan also presented a commemorative plaque, noting that in the choir’s 72-year history, this was believed to be the first joint performance with an American choir.
Earlier in the day, the Mountain View Madrigals had toured Pembroke Castle before travelling to St Davids, where they gave a performance in the Cathedral. The group spent two nights in Pembrokeshire, staying at a hotel in Tenby.
Thanks were extended to Choir Secretary Dave Powell, Gareth Morgan, and the Pembroke Town Hall team for their efforts in organising the memorable visit.
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