Things to do
Beaches
Slightly further away is Tenby North Beach, overlooking the attractive harbour and Carmarthen Bay and just around the corner is Tenby South Beach, where at low tide, acres upon acres of golden sands are revealed.
A pleasant car ride or bus journey (the bus stops outside at White Gate Caravan Park entrance) along the South Pembrokeshie Coast and you will find the glorious beaches of Manorbier and Freshwater East and a little further on towards the west brings you to the stunning beaches of the Stackpole Estate: Barafundle Bay and Broad Haven South. This National Trust owned estate is well worth a visit. Visit the beautiful beaches of Broadhaven South or Barafundle, take a spectacular cliff top walk, explore the heart of the estate where Stackpole Court once stood or visit Bosherston Lakes, home to otters, wildfowl and dragonflies. There is also the Boathouse tea room at Stackpole Quay.
We have tried to show all of our favourite beaches that are within a 40 minute car ride of White Gate Caravan Park many of them are a lot closer, but don’t take our word for it, come and explore and find your favourite.
Fun for all the family
Folly Farm
Just 3 miles from White Gate Caravan Park is Folly Farm Adventure Park and Zoo. This is a “must do” day out for the whole family! Voted ‘Best Family Day Out in Wales’ at the National Tourism Awards for Wales 2010-2012. There is a farm, a zoo, an indoor vintage funfair as well as a whole host of indoor and outdoor adventure. The zoo has over 250 animals including giraffes and zebras and the barn has many rare breeds and baby farm animals. New for 2013, Penguin Coast, a state-of-the-art saltwater enclosure that allows you to view the penguins from underwater.
Dinosaur Park
Just outside Tenby there is the Dinosaur Park including Astra Slide, free 18-hole Adventure Golf, Off Roaders Circuit, Super Jumper Trampolines, Sand Diggers, Jungle Climb, Pedal Trucking, Disco Boats, Motorised Tractors and Orbiter Cars. When you take the mile long walk through ancient woodland, on boardwalks across swamps on the trail of our 30 prehistoric friends – watch out! Listen up!
Heatherton Leisure Park
With its zip wires, treetops adventure trail and Sky Tower and much more besides.
Manor House Wildlife Park
In the same area there is Manor House Wildlife Park. Anna Ryder-Richardson’s Welsh Zoo where you can expect a real hands-on experience in four Zoonique Animal Walkthroughs.
Carew Carting – The Place to Race!
Cadet Karts available for 8 – 15 years with Thunder Karts (the fastest karts in the business!) for 16 year and up.
Beginners and experts welcome at the 500m outdoor, highspeed, tarmac track. Situated at Carew airfield, about 15 mins from us – open all year.
All of the above attractions are no more than 20 minutes away from White Gate caravan Park by car many of them a closer.
History & Culture
All of the following sites have activities and events of special interest planned throughout the holiday season. Because itineraries are often updated and changed it is best for guests to contact the sites directly for up to date information about upcoming events.
For our guests seeking a historical and cultural experience, we have 7 magnificent castles, each within a 15 mile drive of White Gate Caravan Park. To the west you will discover Manorbier, Pembroke and the magnificent Carew Castle.
Castles
To the west you will discover Manorbier, Pembroke and the magnificent Carew Castle.
Manorbier Castle
The Norman knight Odo de Barri was granted the lands of Manorbier, Penally and Begelly in gratitude for his military help in conquering Pembrokeshire after 1003. Two of his sons acquired larger estates in Ireland, which became the main power base of the de Barris, known as the Barris of Olethan. His fourth son was Gerald de Barri. Known commonly as Gerald of Wales (the great twelfth century scholar) who was born at the castle. Renowned today for his chronicles and descriptions of life in his time.
Pembroke Castle
Once the seat of a succession of major barons, Pembroke Castle has often had a leading role in shaping Britain’s history. On your visit you can explore the labyrinth of passageways and towers, take in the views from the 75ft high Great Keep, descend into Wogan Cavern and enjoy a wonderful picnic or lunch in the stylish café.
Carew Castle and Mill
Carew Castle which has a history spanning 2,000 years. Set in a stunning location, overlooking a 23-acre millpond, the castle displays the development from a Norman fortification to an Elizabethan country house. It also incorporates an impressive 11th century Celtic cross, the only restored tidal mill in Wales, a medieval bridge and a picnic area, all linked by a delightful one-mile circular walk which enjoys uninterrupted views of the castle.
Laugharne Castle
This is the ‘brown as owls’ castle beloved of Dylan Thomas, Laugharne’s most famous resident. He wrote Portrait of the Artist as a Young Dog in the castle summerhouse perched above glorious views of the Taf estuary.
Here two giant medieval stone towers stand guard over the remains of a magnificent Tudor mansion, all set in 19th century ornamental gardens.
After centuries of conflict between Welsh and Anglo-Normans, Laugharne was rescued from near ruin by Elizabethan courtier Sir John Perrot. He turned the dilapidated 13th-century castle into a residence fit for a gentleman, including a grand hall whose gaping windows still stare out over the water.
Other Historical Gems!
Aside for our magnificent castles we have other sites of interest very close by.
Tudor Merchant House
The Tudor Merchant’s House in Tenby, step into the world of a successful merchant and his family in 1500, when this fine three-storey house had just been built. Discover the merchant’s shop and working kitchen on the ground floor. The first-floor hall is newly transformed for this year with colourful wall hangings and replica Tudor furniture.
Caldey Island
The serene experience of Caldy Island. A fleet of boats run from Tenby Harbour, every day except Sunday, throughout the summer months, weather permitting landing on Caldey Island. Tickets can be bought from the relevant booth on the harbour. For many centuries, Caldey Island has been inhabited by various orders of monks and is currently owned by the Cistercian Order, living in the beautiful Abbey, found just a few minutes walk from the landing stage. There are a variety of churches on the island ranging from the Abbey Church where the monks conduct their seven daily services, but explore a little further and you will discover the Old Priory with its old limestone church and also the little Norman church of St David’s. On the cliff overlooking Priory Beach you will also find Caldey Calvary and the Watchtower Chapel. On the far side of the island you can walk to the lighthouse and enjoy the spectacular views. If you wish there is also a marked cliff path allowing you to explore the island with its monastery, Old Priory and ancient churches is just a short boat ride from Tenby.
Colby Woodland Gardens
The National Trust’s Colby Woodland Garden which is a 30 minute stroll along the Coastal Footpath or a 3 minute drive away. Set in a tranquil secret valley this hidden woodland garden with a rich industrial past is full of surprises.
Upton Castle and Gardens
Upton Castle Gardens, near Carew, consists of 35 acres of listed historic gardens and include a mature Arboretum, formal rose garden, herbaceous borders, Victorian walled garden and a medieval chapel.
National Botanical Gardens
With an amazing collection of over 8000 different plant varieties, spread across 560 acres of beautiful countryside, a stunning range of themed gardens and the world’s largest single spanned glasshouse that has the best display of mediterranean climate zone plants in the Northern hemisphere, The National Botanical Garden of Wales is worth a visit.
Museums, craft centres and art galleries are very plentiful throughout Pembrokeshire, so no matter what your taste, there is something for everyone.
Walking
Where do you start? There are so many brilliant walks, the hardest decision is often deciding which one to do.
Wisemans Bridge Coastal Walk to Saundersfoot
White Gate caravan Park has a direct private entrance onto a public footpath that leads directly onto the Pembrokeshire Coastal Footpath between Amroth and Saundersfoot; so where better to start. Leave the car on the car park, pop on the boots and off you go.
Pembrokeshire Coastal Path
The biggest attraction is obviously the Pembrokeshire Coastal Footpath itself, 186 miles of continuous path between Amroth in the south and St Dogmaels in the north. Few of our guests tackle all of this, but many enjoy linear or circular walks along parts of it. The scenery can only be described as stunningly beautiful and extremely varied from towering cliffs, vast sweeps of sand and coastal castles to quiet river estuaries and quaint towns and villages. One of the best ways to enjoy the coastal footpath is to use the coastal bus services (stops right outside our entrance), allowing linear walks to be undertaken from many points around the coast. You can find and download a good selection of walks from pembrokeshirecoast.org.uk purchase a range of walking leaflets from TI and Visitor Centres, or ask Charlotte and John for advice and suggestions
Landsker Trail
We are equally well situated to explore the lesser known Lansker trail. This route takes the walker away from the popular tourist locations and explores the Lansker Line between the Welsh language speaking north of Pembrokeshire and the English speaking south Pembrokeshire area and includes the land to the east of the river Cleddau estuary, Ogham stones in the walk of Llnadissilio parish church; and the Norman castles sited within this region at Llawhaden and Carew Castle as well as prehistoric remains at Lawhaden. Landsker is a Norse word for borderland. The route was devised by The South Pembrokeshire Action for Rural Communities (SPARC) to attract walkers and tourists away from the well known coastal hot-spots into the lesser known hinterlands. We have a number of maps and guides available about these routes.
Other Activities!
Cycling
Cycling very popular in Pembrokeshire and routes in the county are often along quiet country lanes and byways that link villages and historic sites. The Celtic Cycleway runs directly past our drive, so bring your bike and enjoy the fabulous scenery. We have a safe lock for bikes on site.
Climbing
For those with a head for heights, Pembrokeshire has some of the finest sea cliff climbing in the world and a new series of guides to help you find that perfect climb.
Wildlife
Pembrokeshire, with its vast array of different habitats is a paradise for wildlife lovers. Bird life is abundant and diverse throughout the year with kites, choughs, peregrines and puffins being just a few of the attractions. For wildflower lovers, spring and early summer sees the hedgerows and cliffs awash with blues, pinks, whites, yellows and purples. If you are lucky you may see one of the counties expanding population of otters, or one of the many seals or porpoises that frequent the coastal waters.
Horse-riding
For the equine minded, just 3 miles away are the stables at Marros. Enjoy a leisurely ride through the woods and fields, improve your skills with a lesson and ride, or for the more experienced, how about a beach ride?
Shopping
For those of you who always need a spot of retail therapy after a few days on the beach, Saundersfoot, Tenby and Narberth are all within 7 miles of White Gate while Haverfordwest, the lovely St Davids and quaint Newport offer alternatives a little further afield.
Get in touch for more information or to book your stay with us!
Please do not hesitate to ask if you would like to know anything else, we are happy to help with whatever we can to make your holiday more enjoyable.
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- 01834 811543