Tenby Museum & Art Gallery

South Pembrokeshire


Housed within the ruins of Tenby's Norman castle, this museum covers the town's development from a fishing village into a 19th-century seaside resort bigger than Blackpool (summarised in a short film), with interesting exhibits ranging from delicate Roman vases to a Victorian antiquarian's study. There's also a recreated pirate's cell and a gallery including paintings by Augustus and Gwen John.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby South Pembrokeshire attractions

1. Castle Hill

0.03 MILES

Separating North Beach from Castle Beach, this modest headland is capped by the scanty remains of Tenby's 11th-century Norman castle. On the very top is a…

2. Tenby Lifeboat Station

0.06 MILES

It's worth popping into this swanky lifeboat station to see the boat, watch footage of it being launched and learn a little about one of the UK's busiest…

3. Laston House

0.07 MILES

This unassuming building was built by William Paxton in the late 18th century to house Tenby's original saltwater baths. The Greek writing on the pediment…

4. Tudor Merchant's House

0.15 MILES

This handsomely restored 15th-century town house is set up as it would have been in its heyday, with colourful wall hangings and period-style beds and…

5. St Catherine's Island

0.16 MILES

At low tide you can walk across the sand to little St Catherine's Island, but it's a long, cold wait if you get trapped by the tide – check tide tables in…

6. St Mary's Church

0.21 MILES

The graceful arched ceiling at the centre of this 13th-century triple-naved church is studded with fascinating wooden bosses, mainly dating from the 15th…

7. Caldey Island

2.42 MILES

Connected to Tenby by a seasonal boat service, Caldey Island is home to grey seals, sea birds and a red-topped, whitewashed monastery that houses a…

8. Reptile Experience

2.61 MILES

Come face to face with huge snakes, hairy spiders and all sorts of other slippery, creepy and crawly critters during a two-hour-long hands-on experience.