Discover Haverfordwest: River Town, Culture and Cycling Routes

Haverfordwest is a river town with almost 1,000 years of history, a diverse cultural offering and a variety of opportunities for days spent walking or cycling. The Western Cleddau flows through the centre of the town and, together with Haverfordwest Castle, shapes its distinctive character. Anyone looking for a holiday apartment or holiday cottage in Pembrokeshire will find a base here where historical discoveries, regional specialities and active excursions can be combined.

History between Castle, Church and Museum

The preserved ruins of Haverfordwest Castle are among the most striking reminders of the town's history. The inner castle courtyard and parts of the curtain wall are particularly well preserved. During restoration, Haverfordwest Castle is currently closed to the public; reopening is scheduled for 2028. This timing is important for your travel planning if visiting the castle is one of your desired activities.

St Mary's Church also reflects Haverfordwest's long development. The Grade 1 listed building contains extensive elements from the early 13th century, decorated arcades and a chancel arch made of Caen stone. Haverfordwest Town Museum complements this historical impression with exhibitions on the Augustinian priory and a diverse collection of artefacts, prints and paintings. The collection illustrates Haverfordwest's history over the past 900 years. In Elizabethan times, Haverfordwest was also the second-largest port in Wales.

Market, Riverside Walk and Cycling Experiences

On Friday mornings, Haverfordwest Farmers' Market brings together locally produced goods, cakes, cheese, seafood and handicrafts. This makes it a practical opportunity to get to know regional produce and add a culinary visit to your stay.

For walks, Fortune's Frolic leads through a park, along the river and through woodland to St Ismael's Church in Uzmaston. The route therefore offers varied landscape impressions within a single walk. Cyclists can plan to use National Cycle Route 4, which passes through Haverfordwest and runs along its full route from London to Abergwaun (Fishguard). A largely off-road cycling route leads from Merlin's Bridge along the former trackbed of the Great Western Railway to Neyland Marina. The return journey is approximately 18 miles long.

More Options for Active Days

Haverfordwest Golf Club is a parkland golf course next to Pembrokeshire Coast National Park. The course offers impressive views of the Preseli Hills. The 18-hole course is 6,002 yards long and has a par of 70 for men and 72 for women. This adds a sporting option to your travel plans without abandoning the town's cultural focus.

Haverfordwest as a Practical Base

When choosing your accommodation, you can consider whether culture, walks, cycling tours, golf or regional excursions should be the focus of your trip. Bus services operate from Haverfordwest throughout the Pembrokeshire area. The town also has a railway station with connections to the British rail network. These transport links are useful if you do not want to plan every excursion exclusively by car. A holiday apartment in Haverfordwest may therefore be particularly suitable if you want to include the town's history and a variety of activities in your holiday days.

For more destinations on this page, you can also visit Fishguard, Abercastle, Letterston, Manorbier, Llangwm, Treffgarne, Crymych and Llanfyrnach.

For the overarching travel overview: Pembrokeshire.