There are so many exciting and enjoyable things to do in Pembrokeshire but few are more bizarre and exhilarating than a visit to Dr Beynon’s Bug Farm where the whole family will be in for an educational treat as well as a fascinating look at some creepy crawlies that are both weird and wonderful.

With a Tropical Bug Zoo, Bug Museum, British Bug House, Insect Farming Exhibition, Farm Trails and a Walled Garden, there is such a lot to explore and we advise that you give yourself a whole morning to work your way around all the exhibits. As well as this, the incredibly knowledgable staff members give amazing and interesting workshops where they even allow you to get your hands on some of the tropical and rare bugs that they have at their disposal.

Last time we went my little boy laughed gleefully as a hissing cockroach was placed on his hand. It really is a wonderful way for little boys and girls to build their confidence when handling these little wonders. And the staff members are so unbelievably knowledgable when it comes to their passion. The young man who took our workshop was currently studying insects at Cardiff University.

There’s also a really fun indoor adventure playground for children and an incredible cafe where you can purchase all manner of edible bug produce. We highly recommend the spaghetti bolognaise which is made with a plethora of different creepy crawlies. Of course you can’t go wrong with a bug burger either. And hey, it’s good practice for when the global apocalypse comes and we are all living on rafts like that film wot Kevin Costner made.

Click here for more info and please, when on your St Davids holiday in our beautiful cottage, do visit them. We guarantee the experience won’t bug you and you’ll be absolutely buzzing when you come out!

Just a ten minute walk from Yewdale holiday cottage, past the spectacular cathedral and through some twisting country roads, you will find the gorgeous bay of Whitesands. Call us biased, but for us there’s really no place in the world like it. There’s something about being there that makes you feel somehow outside of time, as if you share the beach with ancient ancestors. There’s certainly a distinctly spiritual feeling about this mile-long stretch of warm sand that defines the beauty of the Pembrokeshire coastline.

Practically, the beach is impressively versatile to suit all holiday-goers’ needs and wants. Firstly, it is a long and expansive beach which means you never have to be crammed next to your fellow beach-goer like sardines in a can. Secondly, it is fully lifeguarded during the peak seasons so your little ones (and big ones!) can safely swim in the water and be watched over constantly by trained professionals.

It’s also a wonderful beach for surfing, should you so wish, and you’ll often find a surfing school bobbing out in the green-blue waters. As well as this, it has a really lovely cafeteria where soul-warming pasties and coffees can be enjoyed, as well as a mobile ice cream wagon, serving local ice cream to suncream lathered teenagers. And there’s even doggie ice cream for your furry friends!

Also, from Whitesands, you have a choice of spectacular coastal walks to experience. Head north and you can walk out onto St Davids Head, a beautiful rock formation which allows you to see right out to the Atlantic ocean. Or, if you head south, you’ll eventually come to the charming St Non’s Chapel and picturesque Porthclais.

There truly is no place in the world like Whitesands and our family have enjoyed summers – and winters – on this delightful expanse of sand for generations.

So please, slap on some suncream – or a windbreaker – and experience this special place for yourselves.

Just a ten minute drive from Yewdale Cottage, St Davids is the incredible and intoxicating Blue Lagoon. Its enigmatic name does not even scratch the surface of what a wholly unique and captivating experience visiting this strange but beautiful mass of water is.

In the early 18th Century Wales, especially West Wales, was leading the charge in the slate industry which means that you will often find (now defunct) slate quarries all over Pembrokeshire’s coastal paths. And what is left from this bygone industrial era are huge holes in the ground, surrounded by spectacular blue / green / grey cliffs of flat, cold stone.

Where the quarry used to exist is a most gorgeous and tranquil water deposit. Its calming influence will leave you with great serenity and mindfulness as the waves crash into the rocks on the other side of the Blue Lagoon. It’s been home to cliff jumping tournaments as well as kayakers and canoers who adore its waveless ambience. And even seals love to use it as a breeding ground.

But be warned – as the water is still, it is very, very cold. What looks like a pleasant dip in quiet waters can quickly turn into a teeth-chattering experience! The thing we love to do most is hurl ourselves off the 20 foot high platforms into the cold, turquoise water below. There really is no thrill quite like it and it’s been a family tradition for as long as we can remember.

The Blue Lagoon is now looked after by The National Trust and for more information on parking and directions, click this link here.

It’s just another weird and wonderful place that West Wales and Pembrokeshire is so good at unearthing. But remember – a wet suit is always advisable. And failing that, a lovely hot thermos of tea or coffee!

Happy swimming!

So much has changed as regards food experiences since our family’s annual pilgrimage to St Davids as children. Back then, a Welsh rarebit and a pepsi-float was about as adventurous as it got. But in this post I’m going to perform a shallow dive into three trailblazing new food experiences that capture both the locality of St Davids but add a sprinkle of contemporary dining and imaginative concepts. 

First, let’s take a look at The Really Wild Emporium which is the place to go for foraged products and seriously innovative dishes. What you eat there will depend very much on what the owners are able to forage that same day so every dining experience here is totally unique and idiosyncratic. Leaning heavily on delicious local produce, eating at The Really Wild Emporium is truly an unforgettable and – not to mention – environmentally sound experience. 

Secondly, we have St Davids Gin and Kitchen. This place is an absolute Mecca for the finest gin and seafood in St Davids. We can’t recommend the seafood platters highly enough, involving produce which is primarily caught the very same day. And if that wasn’t enough to get you salivating, the choice of gin is simply breathtaking. Add to that a relaxed and friendly atmosphere and St Davids Gin and Kitchen is truly a special place to spend an evening. 

Lastly, but not leastly, we have Grain – the pizzeria with a difference. Using very local produce, the boys and girls at Grain have created distinctive and innovative pizzas with toppings that will absolutely take you by surprise. And don’t hesitate to order some of their local beers and ciders too, if you need something to wash down this heaven-sent carby goodness. 

All these amazing food experiences can be found in close proximity to Yewdale cottage, Pembrokeshire and will make your week long holiday or romantic short stay an unforgettable experience. 

One of our favourite things to do as soon as we arrive in St Davids is to book a boat trip to Ramsey Island. Especially now we all have young children, this excursion is very often the highlight of our holiday. There’s really no feeling like having the wind in your hair while scooting across the green-blue sea to a place totally uninhabited by human life.

The nature in West Wales is so incredibly diverse that there are so many amazing things you might happen to see. Seals are obviously a mainstay, using the rock to raise their young while lethargically slipping into the water when a hunt is necessary.

But we’ve often come back from our day trip with incredible pictures of dolphins, porpoises, guillemots and even a peregrine falcon. As apposed to a zoo or farm park, here you can truly see the animals exist in their natural habitats and it is a most moving and exhilarating experience. The professional guides will know exactly which spots to hit so just sit back and let them show you some of the most breathtaking nature that you will find in the British Isles.

From Yewdale Cottage, you can easily drive down to St Justinians where the boat launches from. It’ll only take you around five minutes in the car. And from there you jump on board and have a fantastic time!

Our favourite tour operator is Voyages of Discovery who offer an incredible 1 hour experience for just £35 a head. There’s absolutely no way you’ll feel short-changed as you upload all your incredible nature shots to social media.

So please, need we say more, book your holiday to St Davids, Pembrokeshire now and enjoy some seriously life affirming moments. And hey, you may just find a whole new porpoise to life!