Pembrokeshire or Norfolk this summer?

[Tailrunner]

I'm trying to decide where we should go on holiday this year and have narrowed it down to these 2 locations (I think). I'd love any views or recommendations.

We have 2 DC who are 7 and 9. We will be going in our caravan again and our favourite places in the past have been Aviemore, Lake District and the New Forest so we are looking for somewhere similar - nice places to walk or cycle, beach, lake or river to splash in, national trust places or castles, small theme parks, boat trips and some new activities to try. The DDs have enjoyed horse riding, grass sledding, canoeing etc and want to try some climbing or abseiling this year. They loved the aqua park last year and do like being in the water or on the beach. We save money by going in our caravan so we splash out on lots of activities and day trips when on holiday but we are all happy with small places rather than big theme parks.

At first I was leaning towards Pembrokeshire but it's further than Norfolk (about 2 hours) and I'm not sure whether it's worth the extra time in the car. I'd be very grateful for any opinions.

We do holidays with very similar to yours and LOVE both! Not very helpful sorry! So I'd base the decision on the distance and / or perhaps research which has more reliable weather in the summer?

Thanks wherehavealltheflowersgone, that's really helpful. I wanted to be sure that if we went for the shorter distance we would still be getting a great destination. Any top tips for things to do or places to go in Norfolk?

I live in Norfolk. I think the scenery isn't going to be as good as Pembrokeshire, it's much flatter but we have lovely long beaches backed by dunes. Holkham is absolutely beautiful and worth a visit though not the best place to base yourself if you want sea as the tide is usually so far out it's a bit of a walk to the sea. I'd avoid Yarmouth, ok for the day for some old fashioned British seaside but not the best. There's rides including a wooden rollercoaster there though. Cromer can be quite nice and you can fish for crabs off the pier, the beach is nice too though quite pebbly. For pretty beaches that are less built up consider Holkham as mentioned, Wells, Waxham, Horsey. The coastal path along the north Norfolk coast is beautiful. Marriott's way is good for cycling.

You can get boat trips out to see the seals, you buy tickets at Blakeney (which is also lovely) then usually the boats go from Morston a mile or two up the coast. That's definitely worth doing. You can also have boat trips on the broads, a lot of hire places/trips go from Wroxham. Bewilderwood is fun, not far from Wroxham either.

Thanks Jenala, we lived in Cambridge for a while so we are used to pancake flat! The boat trips and BeWilderwood sound good, thanks and I'll look at those cycle routes.

Perhaps consider staying at Haven Caister on Sea www.haven.com/parks/norfolk/caister-on-sea/ It takes tourers and campers but you can also make use of all the Haven facilities such as the indoor pool (with slides), zip wire, crazy golf and climbing wall. The park has direct access to a sandy beach. Bewilderwood www.bewilderwood.co.uk and nearby Wroxham Miniature World wroxhamminiatureworlds.co.uk are half an hour in one direction, and Pleasurewood Hills is half an hour in the other direction.

Thanks Ricekrispie22, I'll have a look. DP usually tries to avoid the larger or busier sites but it might be worth it for the facilities, for a few nights at least.

We still aren't completely decided on Norfolk. We were considering doing Pembrokeshire but breaking the journey up with a couple of days near Chester zoo/Gulliver's. Hmmm, I can't decide this year.

We stayed near St Davids in Pembrokeshire with a 7 and 10 year old. Lots of space for kids to play and beautiful spot. Walking distance to St Davids for the cathedral and Bishops Palace and fabulous Whitesands beach. Folly Farm and Oakwood are not too far for small them parks. We went to the fun pool at Bluestone which the kids loved. Just did an evening session which wasn't too busy. Boat trips from near St Davids are fab for wildlife spotting.

www.lleithyrfarm.co.uk/

We love Pembrokeshire but it's DH's home so we know it well. Haven't been to Norfolk so can't compare.

I'm from Pembrokeshire but live in Cambridgeshire. I've been to the North Norfolk coast a fair amount.

Norfolk doesn't compare. The wide skies and sand dunes are ok for a bit. But Pembrokeshire has cliffs, sea you want to swim and jump around in, hills, rock pools, surfing and castles.

I might be a touched biased

We have visited both recently. Pembrokeshire wins. It's definitely worth the journey.

I think I'm sold on Pembrokeshire. It was my first choice anyway but I was worried about the journey time. I'm going to see whether DP can take a couple of extra days off so we can break the journey up a bit but it sounds like it will be worth the drive.

The kids are excited but want to know whether we can go to Snowdon on the way. We climbed half way up a couple of years ago but had to turn back as the weather was awful. They are determined to reach the top

Pembrokeshire is more beautiful but Norfolk has way better weather ( bitter experience of long, wet summers in Wales)

I’d say Pembrokeshire, but I live in Carmarthenshire , so it’s just down the road !
I lived in Norfolk when DD was a baby , and I have to say Pembrokeshire is much more beautiful to look at
There is a caravan site in Cardiff www.cardiffcaravanpark.co.uk/contact.html
that might be a good place to stop for a couple of days

I'd say Norfolk every day as I personally think it's much more beautiful. But beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

If you stop in Cardiff to break up the journey you've got the Taff Trail to cycle. Pembrokeshire is absolutely stunning and as a PP said there is so much to do there.

Pembrokeshire is so lovely. We always went there when the children were younger.

Lovely beaches and lots to do. Dinosaur Park and folly Farm are theme parks near Tenby. Boat trip from Tenby to spot seals round Caldey Island. Surfing at Newgale or whitesands Bay. Walks on the spectacular coast path. My fave secret beach :) have fun!

I'm from Norfolk and have holidayed in Pembrokeshire and can honestly say that either one will fit your bill, so just go with your personal preference. There are lovely beaches, walks, boat trips, days out, towns, etc to do in both. The only thing that sets them apart slightly is weather. Pembrokeshire is in the west, so wetter, than Norfolk on the east coast.

Oh definitely Pembrokeshire. I like to keep Norfolk for myself. 😁