Coast writer Amy McPherson scours the Welsh coastline for the top news on artists and makers, holidays and wellbeing along with local food and drink.
1. Visit an Anglesey Art Exhibition
Wales-based artist Becky Thorley-Fox has taken inspiration from wildlife painter Charles Tunnicliffe, who made his home on Anglesey. She visited some of his favourite places on the island off the coast of north Wales, to capture their light, landscapes and wildlife in a series of oil paintings created outdoors. Her solo exhibition, Plein Air Through the Seasons – in the Footsteps of Tunnicliffe, features works that reflect all four seasons on the island.
‘For me, Anglesey has it all: light, atmosphere, spectacular scenery and lots of wildlife – the island has offered an endless source of inspiration during these last few years,’ says Becky. ‘It has been wonderful to follow in Tunnicliffe’s footsteps, to see how wildlife fares today compared with his time.’ You can view the exhibition at Anglesey’s Oriel Môn until 12 October (orielmon.org).
2. Hike the Pembrokeshire Coast Path
The Pembrokeshire Coast Path – a 186-mile National Trail – has some of the most diverse scenery in Britain, and offers insights into the geology and human heritage of the region.
Former Blue Peter presenter Peter Duncan is a co-founder of walking and cycling holiday company The Natural Adventure, and he believes it is a trail that you’ll get hooked on once you’ve walked the first half. Peter says, ‘Take in the castles, cliffs and coastal views – you’ll definitely want to come back and do the second half, because this is a path where every headland is a highlight, and every cove a keeper.’
The Natural Adventure offers three self-guided walking packages on the Pembrokeshire Coast Path, with route maps and other detailed information, accommodation, luggage transfer and 24/7 phone assistance sorted, so all you have to do is put one foot in front of the other and enjoy the views (thenaturaladventure.com).
3. Wellness retreats for the soul
Celtic Haven Resort is now offering wellness retreats at its holiday cottages in the coastal village of Lydstep, near Tenby. Created in partnership with
G Nature & Wellbeing, each retreat weekend aims to foster inner peace and a renewed sense of wellbeing, with experiences such as gong sound baths, Himalayan brainwave bowls and yoga, with new activities to be introduced this year. As part of the programme, there will be time to embark on walks to take in the beauty of the Pembrokeshire coastline, and those who are seeking more pampering can opt for additional treatments at the onsite Elemis Spa. Sign up to the Celtic Haven mailing list to receive dates and details of upcoming retreats (celtichaven.co.uk).
4. Self-catering cottages for active coastal holidays
Preseli Venture’s self-catering complex, The Courtyard Cottages, has a new one-bedroom cottage. Loom – named after the distant loom of a lighthouse, which darts rhythmically across the night sky – is nestled on the slopes of a wooded valley, just a short walk from Abermawr Beach. This offers a new accommodation option for those seeking an active holiday on this part of the Welsh coast, with a larger four-bedroom cottage due
to open later this year.
You can also book a wide range of coastal holiday activities with Preseli Venture, including coasteering, sea kayaking, canoeing, boat trips, wild swimming, SUP, surfing, guided walking, yoga retreats, and more. A free guidebook, Car-Free Activity Holiday, is available to download, with information and inspiration for climate-conscious adventurers – or let Preseli Venture’s experts curate your perfect bespoke itinerary (preseliventure.co.uk).
5. Sauna wellbeing in Porthcawl
Are saunas becoming the new pubs? Since the first Hikitalo sauna opened – on the edge of Porthcawl’s Sandy Bay – it has become somewhat of a trend to spend time socialising there as you enjoy the benefits of this wellbeing practice.
William Jenkins, the founder of Hikitalo, says his experience of various sauna therapies during his travels around Latin America and Germany inspired him to open a sauna of his own in the south Welsh seaside town. ‘I met a Finn who shared insights into Finnish sauna culture. That conversation sparked my inspiration for Hikitalo, meaning “sweat house” in Finnish,’ he says. Since its original opening, Hikitalo has become a space in the community for events such as Full Moon Sound + Sauna, and RDSC: Run, Dip, Sauna, Coffee – leading to a second sauna opening at Porthcawl’s Rest Bay (hikitalo.com).
6. Welsh wine for the win!
Velfrey Vineyard is a family-run, low-intervention vineyard situated near Narberth in Pembrokeshire. It produces a range of award-winning Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) Welsh wines, including Velfrey NV, which in 2024 won Best White Sparkling Wine at the Welsh Wine Awards, and also took a silver medal in the international Glass of Bubbly Awards. Velfrey’s other wines include Rhosyn Sparkling Rosé, which also won a Glass of Bubbly silver in 2024, Cuvée Reserve 2020 vintage sparkling white, and Naturiol 2023 – a still white natural ferment wine. Tours and tastings are five-star rated, and help visitors to understand the unique combination of soil, climate and artisanal viticultultural practices which have helped to create such high-quality wines in this small corner of west Wales (velfreyvineyard.com).
7. Visit a Marina Gallery
The Waterfront Gallery in Milford Haven is all set for some exciting exhibitions in the coming months, starting with Figuratively Speaking during July and August. This will feature portraiture by Glenn Ibbitson, an elected member of the Royal Watercolour Society of Wales, and Suzanne Callen, one of Wales’ leading emerging artists.
In September and October, the gallery will host Marine, an exhibition showcasing works by three artists. Tim Arthur – a prize winner at the 2025 Wales Contemporary exhibition – presents an engaging look at boats, trawlers and docks. Chris Prosser is renowned for capturing atmospheric coastal landscapes in his fine art paintings, and innovative photographer Gina Hughes compels the viewer to take a fresh look at everyday locations and situations. For more information, visit thewaterfrontgallery.co.uk.
8. Get cute Welsh cottage cards
Aberystwyth-based Driftwood Designs has launched two new folding cottage cards. Designed by artist Lizzie Spikes, the cards arrive flat in a kraft envelope and are easy to fold into picture-perfect, freestanding miniature Welsh cottages, with opening doors, stand-up chimneys, and peep-through windows that reveal detailed, fully illustrated interiors.
Two new designs are available: Coast readers are sure to love Awel Y Môr, which translates as ‘sea breeze’ – a seaside-themed cottage complete with pebbles, surfboards and a resident gull. Equally charming is Plas Bach (‘small place’), a country cottage decorated with flowers and birds. They are made in Wales from recycled card and include room on the base for you to add your own personal message (£4 each, driftwooddesigns.co.uk).
9. Tenby Golf Club restaurant acknowledged for excellence
Tenby Golf Club is having a moment. Its restaurant, The Links, led by head chef Duncan Barham, has already achieved two AA rosette awards and inclusion in the Michelin Guide, while its hotel, The Dunes, has earned four AA silver stars.
Overlooking the sea and within striking distance of Tenby and the Pembrokeshire Coast Path, The Dunes opened its 10 rooms at the end of 2023 as part of a £1.7m investment in the club – but it is more than just a golf hotel. The quality of its accommodation has attracted guests keen to enjoy
its scenic location and sample the menu at The Links.
Michelin describes the dishes on its menu as ‘unpretentious [with a] strong use of the wonderful Welsh larder’, recommending ‘the daily made ale bread with whipped Marmite butter’. Just be sure to leave room for dessert – try the dark chocolate fondant with tarragon ice cream and honeycomb (thedunestenby.co.uk).
10. Coast-inspired shop with cushions crafted in Solva
After 10 years of developing a business, Seaforth Designs opened its own shop in the harbour village of Solva. Here, you will find the latest versions of Emma Iles’ beautiful pillows and cushions, with designs featuring wildlife from puffins and crabs to hares and kingfishers, all inspired by the beautiful Pembrokeshire landscape.
Despite opening just before Covid-19, the business is now thriving. Emma says, ‘The shop has allowed me to diversify and explore larger, framed textile art pieces including landscapes, flowers and the wildlife designs that feature on the cushions.’ Each season brings new inspirations to the artist, who also showcases works by her son, local potters, and other artisans (seaforthdesigns.com).
