Escape to this beautiful corner of Wales and use our Canine Cottages guide to Tenby to get to know this dog-friendly holiday destination. This charming seaside town set on the Pembrokeshire coast may appear to be a classic Wales coastal town, however, we are pleased to inform you that it is special because it’s a remarkably dog-friendly place for a break with the whole pack.
With attractions in Tenby offering agility courses, dog-friendly cafes where your pup can enjoy their very own menu, and dog-friendly beaches welcoming canine companions year-round, this town is about the closest thing we could find to doggy heaven!
Begin planning your getaway by reading through this dog-friendly Tenby guide or click the button below to get inspired by our collection of dog-friendly cottages throughout this wonderful town.
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Dog-friendly things to do in Tenby
Tenby Boat Trips
See historic Caldey Island and dramatic St. Margaret’s Island on a Tenby boat trip with the dogs where you can smell the salty sea spray on the breeze and listen to the melodic sounds of the waves all around.
Cruise down the coast and you will also spot villages clinging to the shoreline, the golden sand of beaches, and a host of birdlife swooping high above. It is requested that you take your dog for a suitable walk before to ensure they are calm when onboard the cruise, and that way they can unwind by your side.
Why your dog will love it: There’s so much to see and it’s such a cool way to travel, your hound may well spend all his or her time looking around and trying to take it all in.
Heatherton World of Activities
If you’re searching for a big family-friendly day out, Heatherton World of Activities, just 4 miles outside of Tenby, welcomes dogs on leads so you can all enjoy a fun-filled trip. It’s a great way to keep the kids entertained during your holiday with high ropes, jumping pillows and even soft play for tiny tots.
Archery, mini golf, a hedge maze, water pedalos, bumper boats, a dragon slide, and even escape rooms are just some of the fantastic highlights you can find at this attraction, and there are a couple of restaurants and cafes too where you can grab a bite when you and the kids need a break from all that excitement.
Why your dog will love it: They have a dedicated dog agility course on-site at this dog-friendly attraction in Tenby to challenge your pup! There are ten obstacles to tackle including a tunnel, hurdles and zig zags and a bowl of refreshing water that can be found outside reception.
Carew Castle
This popular dog attraction sits 7 miles from Tenby and offers a wealth of history for humans and their best friends to discover alongside a shop and café where you can rest your feet and paws while enjoying a snack.
You’ll be impressed by the stunning location as Carew Castle overlooks an incredible 23-acre millpond. On a beautiful day, the castle’s reflection in the water is breathtaking. The castle is part Norman fortress, part Elizabethan mansion, and the tidal mill dates back to the early 19th century. There’s also a wonderful mile-long circular walk suitable for wheelchairs and buggies so you can stretch your legs while here.
Why your dog will love it: Dogs are welcome on short leads to visit the castle and tidal mill, and there are beautiful grounds to wander while here – your pup will be exhausted after a day’s exploration at this beautiful site!
Dog walks around Tenby
Allen’s View
Escape to this hilltop woodland with your four-pawed pal for a dog-friendly forest walk in Tenby where you can soak up the tranquil atmosphere and take in views of Tenby, Penally and Monkstone Point.
Allen’s View is a kind of ‘secret garden’ and a lesser-known location for a ramble with around 180 mature trees, paths that wind through the site and benches where you can rest for a moment as you wander.
Why your dog will love it: There’ll be plenty of scent trails to sniff out and sticks for a good game of fetch to discover throughout this hilltop woodland.
Tenby to Saundersfoot trail
This meandering 5-mile path follows the Pembrokeshire coastline from bustling Tenby to tranquil Saundersfoot and it is the ideal way to take in the ever-changing scenery of this corner of the UK.
Rocky outcrops give way to sandy beaches and grassy slopes offering lots of excitement for pups and beautiful scenery for humans to uncover on a coastal walk.
Why your dog will love it: Your canine companion will have a great time discovering this coast path by your side and there’s the wonderful Saundersfoot Beach where your pup can cool off their paws and splash about when you’ve reached your destination.
Tenby Ghost Walk
This must be one of the more intriguing walks you could take during your time here. Yes, there are plenty of impressive coast and country routes all around this enchanting region, but a guided ghost tour of Tenby is a great chance for a stroll while getting to know this fantastic holiday destination.
Promising tales of fairies, witches and murder, it’s a light-hearted tour and has been named by the Sunday Times as one of the top five ghost walks in Britain. Get ready for a spooky town adventure!
Why your dog will love it: While they may not be so interested in the storytelling, we’re sure your pup will be very happy enjoying a stroll around their holiday neighbourhood.
Dog-friendly beaches near Tenby
North, Harbour and South Beach
The first question your playful pup wants answered is ‘are dogs allowed on Tenby’s beaches?’ Of course they are! You’ve got three sandy beaches to choose from: North Beach, Harbour Beach, and South Beach. The first two do have summer restrictions, but South Beach welcomes our four-pawed friends all year round to scamper across the sand!
Why your dog will love it: South Beach, in particular, is Tenby’s most popular dog-walking beach so chances are, your pet will have the opportunity to make a few four-pawed friends and, if you visit on quieter days, there’s still plenty of space to run and play.
Penally Beach
For more dog-friendly beaches near Tenby, you can walk down the coast at low tide from South Beach to unspoilt Penally Beach, where dogs are welcome all year. This delightful beach is backed by dunes and has a wheelchair-accessible path through the golf course behind it.
Cyclists can enjoy this stretch of shore too via the Celtic Way which passes close by. It sweeps along the coast in a crescent shape and offers wide-open spaces for soaking up the sun, cosy nooks for sunset BBQs, and shallow waters where your beach-loving dogs can splash about and enjoy a paddle.
Why your dog will love it: There’s sand to dig, space to play fetch, and waves to chase at this classic family beach – what’s not to love?
Wisemans Bridge Beach
This intriguing dog-friendly beach near Tenby is reached via a network of tunnels and trails providing a wonderful selection of walking routes, popular with ramblers - your four-pawed pal will be very impressed with a day out to this coastal spot.
Nearby Amroth Beach is a great choice for families but can get busy and has dog restrictions during the summer months so Wiseman’s is a hidden gem to discover with your canine companion during your stay in Pembrokeshire. A mix of sand and rocks makes up this beach which backs onto a pebble bank, and there’s a lovely expanse of sand to enjoy at low tide - you might also get to see the remains of an ancient drowned forest.
Why your dog will love it: You and your canine pal can really have the chance to stretch your legs as you explore the tunnels and trails behind the beach.
Dog-friendly places to eat in Tenby
The Fuchsia Caffe
This seaside gem, Fuchsia Caffe, has previously won the award for 'The Best Dog-Friendly Cafe or Restaurant in Pembrokeshire', making this dog-friendly café in Tenby a must-visit for you and your four-pawed mutt. With paninis, platters and a children’s menu for human families visiting this wonderful place to eat, plus a special dog menu too, no one will miss out on a drink and tasty treat when you stop by.
The cafe has been a finalist in multiple other awards too and sells products to take away, including an afternoon tea hamper, so you can enjoy a special meal back in the comfort of the garden at your Tenby holiday cottage.
Why your dog will love it: The award-winning service and the doggy menu will ensure your canine companion is more than pleased with this choice of eatery.
Harbwr Brewery Tap & Kitchen
A traditional, warming country pub in the heart of town, the dog-friendly Harbwr Brewery Tap & Kitchen in Tenby is just the place to slow it down after days of rushing about the Pembrokeshire countryside and coast.
Settle in for a full roast or a couple of pints with your travel companions while your canine companion snoozes under the table or awaits titbits that may drop off unsuspecting plates. It’s a lovely stop to refuel with good food in a charming atmosphere, and we hear the steak sauce on offer is especially delicious!
Why your dog will love it: The warm and cosy vibe will soon send your tired pup off to sleep for a well-deserved afternoon nap while the humans enjoy their meal. They also provide water bowls to ensure all canines passing by are well cared for.
Salty's Beach Bar and Restaurant
With a delightful menu of fresh local seafood on offer, the dog-friendly restaurant at Salty's Beach Bar and Restaurant in Tenby is a wonderful find on the shores of Tenby's beautiful South Beach.
Head here for a light lunch as you explore or book in for a family dinner with the whole pack, and unwind in this relaxed, welcoming setting, dog at your feet. There are lots of tables set out front where you can sit back and enjoy gorgeous sea views with Caldey Island in the distance.
Why your dog will love it: The sunny beer garden at this dog-friendly pub in Tenby is a favourite among our four-pawed best friends who can relax in the fresh air while their humans enjoy a meal out.
Dog-friendly towns and villages nearby
Saundersfoot
With its own impressive dog-friendly beach, Saundersfoot is a great choice for dogs and their humans keen to spend days by the coast. If you fancy a change of scene from Tenby’s three magnificent beaches during your Pembrokeshire holiday, Saundersfoot is the perfect place for seaside days of sandcastle building, beach BBQs, and sea swimming.
This large village can be walked to from Tenby and provides shops and places to eat, so you’re well set if you need to pick up any amenities on your day out.
Why your dog will love it: With expanses of sand for beach games, rocky coves waiting to be discovered and plenty of dog-friendly pubs and cafes in the village, it’s a great day out for the whole pack.
Pembroke
This ancient heart of Pembrokeshire is the perfect place to head to delve into local history with the settlement dating back to prehistoric Britain. Take a walk around the town to spot historically significant buildings such as Pembroke Town Hall, St Mary’s Church, National School, Barnard’s Tower and the medieval Town Walls.
End your visit with a stop at one of the local dog-friendly pubs, Royal George. Pembroke is a good choice for canines and is believed to have been established in 1780, relatively new by Pembroke standards but still old enough for a grand atmosphere full of heritage.
Why your dog will love it: Your dog will always love the chance for a day of walking, sniffing out the new scents and meeting friendly passers-by in this ancient town.
Fishguard
This idyllic destination on the Pembrokeshire coast sits on a protected inlet and is surrounded by cliffs and hills covered in ancient woodland, perfect for forest walks with your dog. Fishguard is home to a couple of annual music festivals and two delightful weekly markets where you can pick up fresh produce to cook up at your cottage.
Dyffryn Fernant Garden is an attraction that welcomes dogs on short leads, and there are independent shops and galleries in town to pop into, while Strumble Head and Gwaun Valley are two beautiful natural spaces for walkies.
Why your dog will love it: Older dogs may enjoy the peaceful nature of this lovely town, while there are also plenty of chances to get close to nature on walks through the gardens or out in the valley.
Stay at a self-catering dog-friendly cottage in Tenby
Top: Waters Edge 13 | Left: Quarry Cottages 3 | Right: Kiwi Cottage
We have a large collection of dog-friendly holiday cottages for you to choose from, including small cottages and large family homes.
All of our properties welcome dogs and are full of features to make being a holidaying dog owner a joy, not a bore. Browse our inspirational holiday properties for a dog-friendly holiday in Tenby today.
Disclaimer: Whilst every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information at the time of writing,
please ensure you check carefully before making any decisions based on the contents within this article.