Top 10 Things to see and do in South West Wales

Updated February 2025

Looking for a weekend getaway? You should consider South West Wales, just a 2-hour drive from London. Explore the stunning coastlines, historic sites, and quirky foodie spots that make this region a hidden gem. Whether you’re chilling at Dylan Thomas’ restored house for a Welsh afternoon tea, or feasting on local seafood at Coast Restaurant Saundersfoot, there’s something for everyone. Otter spotting at Bosherton Lily Ponds, wine tasting at Jabajak Vineyard, and stargazing in Pembrokeshire’s dark skies are just a few highlights.

Discover Welsh cheese at Caws Cenarth, tuck into a mammoth Welsh Breakfast at Gin Haus and delve into Welsh history at the Gower Heritage Centre. Don’t miss the hands-on cooking sessions at the Pumpkin Patch Cookery School. Read on to discover the charm of South West Wales.

Have a Welsh Afternoon Tea at Dylan Thomas’ House in Swansea

Afternoon Tea Swansea Dylan Thomas House

2. Visit the Dylan Thomas Museum in Swansea

Dylan Thomas is the famous Welsh Poet who found fame and died quite young. His is a very tragic story and you can see a collection of photos and his life at this museum dedicated to him. It’s by the harbour in Swansea which is a very scenic place to take a walk.

www.dylanthomas.com

3. Have lunch at Coast Restaurant Saundersfoot and a brisk walk along the beach

In the middle of nowhere (or a bit of a drive) you find this beautiful piece of architecture on a beach which houses Coast. This is a restaurant that celebrates local Welsh produce, especially seafood. We stopped by for a wonderful lunch while looking out at the crashing waves on the beach. It’s a great stop for people who are out walking on the beach. Full restaurant review here.

Coast Restaurant, Coppet Hall Beach, Saundersfoot, SA69 9AJ

4. Go otter spotting on Bosherton Lily Ponds

We went to Bosherton Lily Ponds to try to see the wild otters but alas, they were all hiding. We did, however, find the lovely hidden beach of Broadhaven South.It is a sandy beach that is quite hidden way but seems to be a dog walkers favourite. Well worth the detour. (The car park here has been noted as the best place in Wales to see the Milky Way too) If you go in Spring or summer when the lilies are in full bloom, it is quite a beautiful spectacle but we were a few weeks too early.

Bosherton Lily Ponds, 6 Windsor Rd, Bosherston, Pembroke SA71 5DW, UK

5. Taste local Welsh Cheese at Caws Cenarth

Caws Cenarth is now a modern Welsh Cheesemaker who are famous for their creamy Caerfili cheese. Started by Gwynfor and Thelma Adams in 1987 in response to Milk Quotas. Now the business is run by Carwyn Adams who is bringing new innovations to their cheese production. His mum Thelma famously sold their product by dressing up as Cleopatra and sitting in a bath tub full of milk as a PR stunt.

Glyneithynog Farm, Pontseli, Lancych, Carmarthenshire, SA37 0LH

6. Taste Welsh Wine at Jabajak Vineyard

Jabajak is a little Welsh winery with some lovely rooms on site. Their white wine has won awards in their first outing. Well worth a detour to do a tasting or two.

There is an award winning restaurant on site that serves really good food. The young chef in charge ( twenty something) has been well trained. (They have changed hands since our visit).

Jabajak Vineyard, Banc Y Llain, Llanboidy Road, Whitland SA34 0ED,

7. Stargazing in the dark skies of Pembrokeshire

The Garden Suite at the Jabajak Winery had a big telescope at the window pointing at the sky. It seems that this part of the country is very popular with astronomers as the sky is really dark and there is very little light pollution. There are a few areas around Wales which have been designated as Dark Sky Reserves and the best places to see the stars. You can see a full list here.

8. Have a gin or three at Gin Haus

Gin Haus houses over 250 brands of Gin. They have a monthly tasting flight where you can taste their curated selection of gins. In the adjoining shop, their deli sells lots of local cheese and charcuterie. A real foodie’s kind of shop in the middle of South Wales.

We went there for a Welsh breakfast and had the world’s largest breakfast on a platter. It had local thick cut bacon, local sausages, some cockles and laverbread and lots of extras. Everything was so delicious and definitely one for a hungry person or if you are recovering from the night before. They serve a superb medium roasted, fragrant local coffee by Coal Town. (Small roastery in a nearby town.) There will be rooms to rent in the summer when their refurbs are finished.

Gin Haus, 1 Market Street, Llandeilo, SA19 6AH

9. Spend an afternoon at the Gower Heritage Centre

This is a little gem that is preserving the history and culture of the local area. The main building houses a working water powered stone mill which is still used to mill flour and corn. We used some of this stone ground flour to make bread with the lovely Chendor. She is such an enthusiastic and knowledgeable teacher. She also taught us to churn our own butter and to forage for wild garlic. So much fun and so delicious.

Gower Heritage Centre Making Bread — Baking heritage bread

You can visit the working blacksmith’s forge and see all the other attractions here. More details on their website. A great day out for families too.

Gower Heritage Centre, Parkmill, Gower, Swansea, SA3 2EH

10. Learn Welsh cooking at Pumpkin Patch Cookery School

Lisa Fearn and her sidekick Luna hosted us for a Welsh Cookery lesson. We learnt to make a Welsh Cawl with ham and Grandma’s Welsh Cakes. After this lesson, Welsh cakes are definitely going to be on my regular breakfast/ tea menu. So easy to make and so delicious. Make it with Welsh Butter for the best flavour!