The county town of Haverfordwest is more or less in the centre of Pembrokeshire. An ancient market town it is now the administrative centre of the County.
Established around 1000 years ago it was once the 2nd largest port in Wales, trading by land and sea.
You can still see evidence of this today, especially along the banks of the river Cleddau which runs right through the middle of the town.
Overlooked by Haverfordwest Castle there are plenty of shops and places to eat and drink in the town centre, where a farmers market is held every Friday.
There are also plenty of well known high street names at the nearby retail parks.
The location of Haverfordwest makes it central to visiting many other places in Pembrokeshire such as Newgale, St David’s, Dale and Marloes to name just a few.
How to get to Haverfordwest
Getting to Haverfordwest is fairly straightforward. From the Western end of the M4 you simply follow the A40 for pretty much as far West as you can. It also has good public transport links and is on the West Wales railway line. Map Ref. SM9516
Getting around Haverfordwest
The centre of Haverfordwest is compact which makes it a great place to explore on foot. We think this is the best way to explore any travel destination.
There are plenty of car parks available in the town centre where charges apply but there is some free on street parking available for short periods.
The main Bus Station is right in the middle of the town centre, with the main train station a short flat walk away.
Where to stay in Haverfordwest
There are a few hotels in Haverfordwest and plenty of accommodation in the surrounding areas including independent hotels, guesthouses and B&Bs, self-catering accommodation and caravan parks with full facilities and entertainment.
A great place to start your search is on booking.com. Even if you decide to book direct it gives you a good idea of what’s available where and when.
When to visit Haverfordwest
Haverfordwest is absolutely a year round destination. You can (and we do) visit at any time of the year. As good in Summer as it is in the lead up to Christmas.
Unlike places such as Tenby most shops, restaurants and cafes stay open all year round. We find it a good place to visit in Summer as most tourists head for the beaches
People also seem happier then and there also tends to be more going on. That, along with the pleasant weather makes for a more enjoyable time. We get to see the sights without getting wet. And eat and drink al-fresco. What’s not to like about that?
Things to do around Haverfordwest
There are plenty of things to do in Haverfordwest and below is just a summary of the things we’ve done so far.
Walk along the river
As mentioned above the river Cleddau runs right through Haverfordwest on its way to Milford Haven and Pembroke. There are walkways on either side of the river here which make for quiet and peaceful strolls.
Visit a Priory
On the river to the South of the town centre, the remains of Haverfordwest Priory are really quite impressive and something of a hidden gem. Not overly easy to find we’ve never seen anyone else here! It’s particularly stunning in full Summer when the sun is shining and the lavender in bloom. A genuine peaceful haven.
Pay homage to the Gorsedd of Bards
At the other end of the river walk is the Gorsedd of Bards stone Circle. Sited to commemorate the National Eisteddfod of Wales held here in 1972 it is well maintained and, again, usually very quiet.
Next to it are playgrounds suitable for smaller children and a huge climbing net for older ones (like us!).
Conquer a Castle
Haverfordwest Castle sits proudly overlooking the Town. Dating back to the 12th Century there is still quite a lot of it intact. Free to visit, there is parking just below or you can walk up High Street and follow the signs.
Go to Jail
Not literally. But right next to the Castle is the old prison which is now an archives store and next to that is…
The Haverfordwest Town Museum
The former prison governor’s home now houses all sorts of items which tell the story of the past 900 years in Haverfordwest and provides a fascinating insight into the town.
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