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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Am I the only person who doesn’t get Tenby?

228 replies

Aquabi · 24/02/2025 14:52

Obviously no offence intended. Different strokes for different folks.

So we have some Canadian cousins coming over in Sumer and as an extended family we are putting together an itinerary. Everyone has said we need to do a typical seaside town. It is pretty much unanimous that everyone in the family chat has decided Tenby is the #1 choice.

Don't get me wrong the actual landscape was outstanding. But I found Tenby a little bit drab given how popular it was. It was heaving which I didn’t mind but I really do not get the hype.

I went a few years ago in Summer and was expecting to find this absolute gem and it was fine. I enjoyed some of the bakeries.

Am I the only person who doesn’t get it?

OP posts:
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8
SallyWD · 24/02/2025 14:54

I've never been I want to. Everyone I know who's been there loves it. One friends said the people there were the friendliest people she'd ever met.

maudelovesharold · 24/02/2025 14:55

Does it have to be in Wales? What about Blackpool?

Yuckyyuckyuckity · 24/02/2025 14:55

I agree it's nice enough but not WOW the way some people claim it is. I also felt the same about St David's in Pembrokeshire. Like, it's pleasant but it's absolutely tiny, the cathedral is nice enough but that's about it. Yet it's raved about as a must see if you go to West Wales.

spoodlesee · 24/02/2025 14:56

What do you think it's missing? the beaches are stunning

KvotheTheBloodless · 24/02/2025 14:56

Yuckyyuckyuckity · 24/02/2025 14:55

I agree it's nice enough but not WOW the way some people claim it is. I also felt the same about St David's in Pembrokeshire. Like, it's pleasant but it's absolutely tiny, the cathedral is nice enough but that's about it. Yet it's raved about as a must see if you go to West Wales.

No no no, St Davids is bloody brilliant! It's my happy place, I love it there.

NefiBlw · 24/02/2025 14:57

Never been there, but I'd quite like to.
Things to do in Tenby | Tenby Harbour | Visit Wales
Tenby - Wikipedia

beetr00 · 24/02/2025 14:57

maudelovesharold · 24/02/2025 14:55

Does it have to be in Wales? What about Blackpool?

😱

User543211 · 24/02/2025 14:58

I absolutely love Tenby, but it's nostalgic for me as I visited as a child. I love the pubs and cafes, the cobbled streets, catching the boat to Caldey island and walking around there.
Where I live now, everyone locally raves about Borth. When I go, all I think is 'it's no Tenby' 🤣
I don't get the attraction at all!
Like you say, horses for courses!

mumonthehill · 24/02/2025 14:58

I live in west wales and Tenby would not be my go to however it does have a lovely beach and stuff like Folly farm on the doorstep. I much prefer the Newport area further north and west but it is much less touristy really so it depends on what you want. Restaurants in Tenby are much better than they were however.

ladymammalade · 24/02/2025 15:00

I've got to admit, I thought the same about Tenby. The beaches and landscapes around Pembrokeshire are wonderful but I didn't think Tenby was all that.

If I was choosing a seaside town I'd go for Lyme Regis or St Ives...or Salcombe.

Original poster
Aquabi · 24/02/2025 15:01

I love that part of the coast. Unbelievable scenery. I just was expecting to have my socks completely blown off. It was definitely nice. Maybe I need to give it another go.

OP posts:
Dragonstar · 24/02/2025 15:01

It is very pretty. It's colourful with cobbled streets and nice little eateries. I don't know if it's a favourite but it definitely fits the criteria.

spoodlesee · 24/02/2025 15:02

If I was choosing a seaside town I'd go for Lyme Regis or St Ives...or Salcombe.

Lyme Regis isn't as nice to me & too many hills in Salcombe!

Mumbles is nice too

Rfvvvv · 24/02/2025 15:04

I felt the sam way about Bruges.
Fine for a two hour walk about but not for a weekend. Thankfully we had booked 1 night and moved on first thing.

Justhere65 · 24/02/2025 15:05

I love Tenby and a lovely places nearby including Stackpole Estate … gorgeous. But I do understand that we all like different things.

trivialMorning · 24/02/2025 15:06

I have nostalgia for Tenby as went went when I was a kid a few times - and have enjoyed it with our kids but wouldn't want to go every year. One year we did day trip to Pembroke Castle on day trip whcih was one of best days out ever.

I also liked scarborough and weymouth as seaside towns as well - mulitple beaches and historic places nearby. Also loved city breaks to London and Liverpool.

Tenby has muliple beaches, nice walks - nice mirco climate - and lots of good places to eat - it's one of the nicer UK seaside towns out there - but it is really busy and increasingly expensive.

dicdicnurse · 24/02/2025 15:08

Tenby is my most favourite place in the world. If we don't manage to go for more than a few months I get withdrawals. I feel an overwhelming sense of calm come over me as we approach it. Written down that sounds so cheesy but it's true!

Frostynoman · 24/02/2025 15:10

It is lovely. I wouldn’t say it’s the epitome of seaside town though. I had a london friend visit it and tell me it was too slow for them (they kind of missed the point of a break away from london) but as others have said, I prefer different areas along the coast. If I had a friend coming from a different country, it isn’t a place that would come to mind to show them a proper British seaside.

howsupport · 24/02/2025 15:11

I never really understood the hype, Tenby in rain is pretty grey. But then I went in sunny weather and I’m a convert now!

ExplodingCarrots · 24/02/2025 15:12

I live fairly local to Tenby and I don't get the pull towards it . The surrounding area is beautiful but the actual town itself isn't all that. Locals avoid it like the plague in holiday season.

TourangaLeila · 24/02/2025 15:14

It was nice and the town was pretty. Bakeries and fish and chips good. Tudor house right up my street as it were 😊

Not worth another 5 hour drive.

spoodlesee · 24/02/2025 15:14

I thought Southwold was overrated. Great beach but shops/foot options not lots of choice.

theteachesofleeches · 24/02/2025 15:16

I love Tenby - it's so relaxed and you can get out in nature really quickly

Original poster
Aquabi · 24/02/2025 15:16

dicdicnurse · 24/02/2025 15:08

Tenby is my most favourite place in the world. If we don't manage to go for more than a few months I get withdrawals. I feel an overwhelming sense of calm come over me as we approach it. Written down that sounds so cheesy but it's true!

Maybe we did it wrong. Please could you share the best places to visit. What route would you take a for a group just to have a good wander. Plenty of eating, drinking and shopping.

We did the tudour house, visited a micro brewery, general window shopping, had lunch at Billycan and picked up a few treats in the nice bakeries and had dinner on the beach.

I have also visited Caldey Island which I enjoyed

OP posts:
SophiaSW1 · 24/02/2025 15:18

Ah I love Tenby