The Picardy

Dogfriendly Magazine Review

Read our comprehensive review of this listing printed in our bi-monthly magazine.

Name: The Picardy

Reviewer: Anna Speke

Beaaacccchhhhhhhh!” cried the dogs as we ventured onto the vast expanse of sand. Well, okay, of course they didn’t, not verbally anyway, but every inch of their waggy tails and excited faces told us they were happy we’d arrived. Living in Shropshire is great, but not close enough for regular trips to the seaside. So, when planning our holiday, we were keen to give our two dogs, Pepper and Jiggy, as much beach time as possible. So it was that we settled on a week in Tenby. Once booked, we discovered by happy accident that my sister, brotherin- law and nephew would also be in Tenby that week, staying nearby. Our first job was to find our accommodation and get settled. Tenby centre is closed to traffic during the daytime in summer, so we parked up at the long-stay car park at the nearby Sainsbury’s (£30 per week) and ventured through the medieval town walls to find our Air B&B. We discovered our apartment, The Picardy, nestled in the colourful, vibrant Brychan Yard, in among several little independent shops and studios, full of artistic charm. The apartment extended the quirky, shabby-chic, bohemian vibe. There was a relaxed feel to the place and we settled in quickly – the dogs were immediately snoozing happily on the rug, while we looked through a folder full of local walking ideas. Suitably inspired, we decided to explore. On the stroll down to South Beach (dog friendly), we were wowed by the views over North Beach (dogs are not allowed 1 May to 30 September), and the pretty harbour. On arrival at South Beach, it seemed rude not to pop in for a quick shandy on the terrace of Salties Beach Bar, which provided the perfect people (and dog) watching spot. Pepper and Jiggy waited patiently, but it was time for their holiday to start – the beach was calling. And hence, the excitement and waggy-tailed joy began. 

On the way back to The Picardy, they were equally excited to discover the pet store in Tenby market hall. From day one, we were unable to pass by without being manoeuvred to the door, with the full puppy dog-eyed treatment being deployed to persuade us to buy countless chews, treats and toys. Needless to say, this shameful display of manipulation was highly successful, and we were regular visitors by the end of the week. By evening, my sister had arrived, and we met for dinner at The Hope and Anchor, one of several pubs selling the local Harbwr beer which, in the interests of research, we tested carefully and can confirm is wonderful. The pub is lively, friendly and popular, and the food was delicious. It was a great start to our holiday and a welcome opportunity to catch up with my sister. 

The next day, we took another walk along South Beach, this time further up the headland to the Penally Cliffs. The Penally Cliffs Short Walk clocks in at around 2.6 miles, and instructions can be found online. This route offers some beautiful coastal views and the chance to see a variety of seabirds (and livestock – dogs must be on leads here). The route also passes through Penally MoD firing range, which has been used for military training since 1860. It is still in use today, so visitors must be aware that if the red flag is flying, there is no access. But there is an alternative route that can be taken on these occasions. Handily, about halfway around the walk we stumbled across a pub. The Cross Inn at Penally served us well for a quick pit stop, before we headed back to South Beach via the golf course footpath. Back in Tenby, we opted for dinner at Harbwr pub. A huge labyrinth of rooms with a new nook to discover around every corner, we found a table in a pretty courtyard area and enjoyed a delicious dinner, washed down with the pub’s flagship beer. The following day saw us tackle a longer walk, from Tenby around the coast to Saundersfoot. Bizarrely featuring in the Ordnance Survey Pembrokeshire and Carmarthenshire book of ‘Outstanding Circular Walks’ (Walk 12), this walk isn’t circular at all, but is a recommended linear route for those who enjoy a good scenic hike. We walked Tenby to Saundersfoot, and then back again later in the day, about four (hilly) miles each way. Following the coastal path, we discovered picturesque stony coves, lush woodland glens and gorgeous views. Saundersfoot is a pretty coastal town, much of it recently regenerated. It has a good selection of outdoor/beach type shops (Saltrock being my personal favourite), and a smattering of eating and drinking establishments. Drawn by the pull of the familiar, we headed to the Harbwr’s sister pub and enjoyed an excellent lunch to fuel our walk back to Tenby. The following morning started with a leisurely breakfast at the charming Vista Cafe. Appropriately named, the outlook from the tiny balcony is stunning, as was breakfast. We could quite easily have stayed all day admiring the iconic view of Tenby harbour. A few coffees later, we used the app ‘VoiceMap’ to take a walking tour of the town, narrated via our phones and headphones by a pre-recorded local tour guide. It’s an interesting insight into some of the history of Tenby and a great way to find out a bit more about the town. As the drizzle descended the next day, we took a drive to the Colby Woodland Garden, a National Trust property about 15 minutes from Tenby. The garden is a bit of an oasis, and we enjoyed a gorgeous stroll around woodlands, streams and meadows. Back in Tenby, we found my sister and family enjoying a drink in the Tap and Tân. Another wonderful watering hole, this small, relaxed bar is owned by the Tenby Brewing Company and it quickly became one of our favourite haunts, serving great local beer and fantastic food. Other favourite eateries of the week included Ronni’z Lounge – a modern, elegant but relaxed and dog friendly bar and restaurant, and pizza at Florentinos, where dogs are allowed outside only. 

For our final full day, we were up early to drive to Stackpole Quay. The early start was worthwhile. Few people around meant an empty car park, and an ethereal mist over the cliffs lent our walk an atmospheric, mysticalair. We followed the six-mile circular Wildlife Walk from the National Trust website, and this proved to be easily my favourite walk of the week. This adventure had a bit of everything, taking in cliff paths, beaches (including beautiful Barafundle Bay) and the expansive Bosherston Lakes with their famous lily ponds. Unfortunately the local seals and otters were elusive for our walk, but we did see herons, choughs and a variety of other bird life. Following up with an excellent ‘Walker’s Lunch’ at the nearby Stackpole Inn was the perfect end to our excursion – a fantastic day making some great holiday memories. Back in Tenby for our last night, we sat on the hill above town and watched as the sea mist rolled in, contemplating how lucky we were to be there, with the dogs and with family, to enjoy one of the many gems that Wales has to offer. We will certainly be back to explore more of the county’s spectacular coastline soon.

The Picardy Reviewed by Anna Speke and appears in DogFriendly magazine issue 84.  For more information on the DogFriendly magazine visit https://www.dogfriendly.co.uk/magazine