Ivy Tower Village is situated in the beautiful, historic village of St Florence, where you can find a general store/post office, two pubs and a garden centre with tea room, all within walking distance. It is situated in the beautiful Ritec valley with countryside views down to the sea.
Within a fifteen minute walk you can enjoy Heatherton Country Sports Park, which offers a range of activities for all ages, including an 18-hole pitch and putt golf course, carting, archery, pistol shooting, laser clay pigeon shooting, fishing, paintballing and horse riding, to name a few. Also within walking distance is Anna Ryder Richardson's Manor House Wildlife, which has numerous different exotic animals and a play area for children.
Other local attractions within a short drive include the towns of Tenby and Saundersfoot with their Blue Flag beaches, shops and restaurants, Pembroke Castle, Manobier Castle and beach, and other notable beaches including Barafundle Bay and Freshwater East.
There is plenty of family entertainment to be found locally at Folly Farm, a real working farm experience and indoor funfair and Oakwood Leisure Park is Wales’ largest theme park with more than 40 rides and attractions set in 80 acres of landscaped gardens. Great Wedlock Dinosaur Park has a mile long dinosaur trail and playgrounds. Opening in June 2008 is Bluestone's Blue Lagoon Water Park, just fifteen minutes drive away.
Within an hours drive you could also visit the beautiful St Davids and its wonderful coastline.
Here are some ideas for days out;
Angle
A small coastal village on the far west Pembrokeshire coast with natural harbour, lifeboat station, pubs, café and sandy beach.
Begelly Pottery
Watch a potter at work in this charming Pottery with a varied amount of work for sale.
Blackpool Mill and caverns
Blackpool mill stands on the banks of the Eastern Cleddau River, with ancient caverns and a craft shop. A riverside tearoom serves teas and light snacks.
Bluestone’s Blue Lagoon Water Park
Opening in the summer of 2008, Blue Lagoon is a sub tropical water experience with a selection of flume rides, hot tubs and rapid river rides.
Boat Trips
Take a boat trip to Caldey Island and other destinations, including wildlife cruises to see the various sea birds and seals that live in and around Caldey island. Cruises run every day in the summer months (weather permitting).
Bosherston
Small village with Lily ponds, Church, Pub, Café. Walks around the lakes to Broad Haven beach.
Canaston Bridge/CC2000
CC2000 is located at Canaston Bridge where you can find a centre offering ten pin bowling, crystal maze and games room. In the Crystal Maze you travel around the 4 zones and complete various challenges, then finally enter the Crystal Maze itself. The attraction is very popular in wet weather and it is best to book in advance on such days. CC2000 is located about 20 minutes by car from Ivy Tower Village, next to Oakwood Leisure Park. See www.cc2000.info
Carew Castle and Tidal Mill
Interesting 13th Century castle and 18th Century tidal mill.
Colby Woodland Gardens
A walled garden set in a tranquil and secluded valley with a gallery and refreshments.
Cwm Deri Vineyard
In Martletwy there is a vineyard where you can taste local Pembrokeshire wine, visit the wine cellar shop or take a look at the donkey sanctuary or the teddy bears hideaway.
Dylan Thomas Boathouse
Situated in Laugharne visit the house where Dylan Thomas spent the last four years of his life and where he wrote “Under Milk Wood”.
Folly Farm
A real working farm experience where you can meet and greet Wales’ friendliest animals. The bottle feeding sessions are not to be missed! Watch your daily pint of milk being processed, and have a go at hand milking a cow. Have a go driving a JCB digger or play in the many outdoor play grounds. There is plenty to do indoors as well, with an indoor funfair and play barn. Folly Farm is in Begelly (Kilgetty) about 15 minutes by car from Ivy Tower Village.
Great Wedlock Dinosaur Park
A mile long route through the countryside and over boardwalks, as you cross swamps and look out for some surprises from our prehistoric friends. There is interactive fun in the education centre, with facts about dinosaurs and some high-tech displays. Everyone will have something to learn and enjoy. The dinosaur park is located in Gumfreston, about 5 minutes by car from Ivy Tower Village.
Heatherton Country Sports Park
Heatherton offers a range of activities for all ages. There is an 18-hole pitch and putt golf course, carting, archery, pistol shooting, laser clay pigeon shooting, fishing, paintballing and horse riding, to name a few. It is in St. Florence and about 2 minutes by car from the cottage.
Heron’s Brook
Meet deer, donkeys, sheep, pigmy goats and pot-bellied pigs. Over 200 ducks and geese roam freely amongst you, eager to be hand fed. Every child has the opportunity to bottle feed from the menagerie of lambs, kids, piglets and even deer in the undercover pets’ feeding centre. There are other attractions also, from Punch and Judy shows to battery boats and tractors. Herons’ Brook is located near Narberth, about 25 minutes by car from Ivy Tower Village.
Hilton Court Gardens and Craft Centre
Situated at Roch, just outside Haverfordwest this is one of Pembrokeshire’s best kept secrets. Set in 9 acres of landscaped gardens with a balcony tearoom overlooking the lakes and with a Victorian craft courtyard. www.hiltongardensandcrafts.co.uk
KarTrax Karting
Outdoor karting centre for all the family starting age 3 and up. Contact 01348 840447.
Lawrenny
Attractive yachting station, childrens play area. Lovely scenery with National Park viewing point near the Church.
Llangloffan Farmhouse Cheese Centre
This award winning farmhouse revives the art of farmhouse cheese making. Watch the cheese making process and then stroll around the farm and meet the cows! Sample cheese in the farm shop. Museum teashop.
Llys Y Fran Reservoir and Country Park
Good for fishing, this reservoir is well stocked with Rainbow Trout. Enjoy sailing and canoeing on the lake or take a walk through the nature trail. Restaurant and gift shop.
Lydstep Headlead
National Trust headland with cliff walks and caves at low tide.
Manorbier
Attractive coastal village, picturesque castle, pebble beach and award winning tea rooms at the nurseries.
Manor House Wildlife Park
Now owned by Anna Ryder Richardson and the subject of a Channel 4 show, this wildlife park has numerous different exotic animals including parrots, zebras, monkeys and snakes. Manor House is located outside St. Florence about 2 minutes by car from Ivy Tower Village.
Milford Marina
Cafes, shops and restaurants can be found along Nelson Quay in Milford Haven.
Narberth
An attractive and interesting medium sized town with a good selection of shops, restaurants and art galleries.
Oakwood Leisure Park
Wales’ largest theme park. With more than 40 rides and attractions set in 80 acres of landscaped gardens and parklands, Oakwood is a great full day out. There are rollercoasters, waterslides, pirate ships and much more. Oakwood is about 20 minutes by car from Ivy Tower Village.
Oasis Park Equestrian Centre, Narberth
Tel 01834 891300
Penally
Pleasant village just outside Tenby with shops, pottery and Church.
Pembroke
Historic town on the Cleddau river with impressive castle, shops and cafes.
Saundersfoot
A seaside resort with harbour offering a good selection of shops, restaurants and a long sandy beach. Large beach front car park makes it an ideal beach for families or disabled guests.
St Davids
Visit this beautiful and unique city (although actually the size of a village!) with its cathedral, ruins of the Bishops Palace, an award winning aquarium and many other attractions.
St Govans Chapel
Tiny old chapel in dramatic setting at foot of cliffs. Car park and cliff walk.
Stack Rocks
Near St Govans. Dramatic stack off the coast with bird sanctuaries and breeding grounds, green bridge of Wales.
Tenby
A large walled town with plenty of shops, a museum and other attractions. Try the guided ghost walk. Details from tourist information. Silent World aquarium contains fish and other creatures.
