The hidden gem Welsh town that everyone seems to overlook

Before our visit, we knew very little about Milford Haven – but it's actually one of the largest town in Pembrokeshire and has a fascinating story to tell.

Sitting on the north side of the Milford Haven Waterway, one of the deepest natural harbours in the world, the town has long been shaped by the sea.

Its rich maritime heritage stretches back centuries, with a history of fishing, whaling and shipbuilding, while today the waterfront has evolved into a vibrant destination filled with cafés, restaurants, shops and a bustling marina.

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It's a place where history and modern family-friendly attractions sit side by side, making it far more than just a working harbour.

When we booked our family break to Bluestone, we'd planned just one day exploring beyond the resort. We expected to tick off a beach, maybe grab some lunch and head back.

What we didn't expect was to discover what might just be one of Pembrokeshire's most underrated family days out.

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Move over Tenby... Milford Haven deserves a spot on your holiday itinerary.

I'll admit, Milford Haven wasn't really on my radar before this trip. Like many people visiting Pembrokeshire, we'd heard all about Tenby, Saundersfoot and the beautiful beaches. But after spending a day here, I genuinely can't believe more people aren't talking about it.

It has everything you need for an easy family day out – plenty to keep the children entertained, brilliant places to eat, lovely independent shops and a beautiful waterfront where you can happily while away a few hours.

Our first stop was Phoenix Bowl, which was the perfect way to start the day. Bowling is always a winner with our three children and it was full of laughs (and a few very competitive parents!). It was relaxed, affordable and a great activity if the Welsh weather decides not to play ball.

From there we wandered over to Milford Haven Museum, and honestly, we were surprised by just how fascinating it was. Housed in the town's old dockside building, the museum tells the story of a place that's played a huge role in Welsh maritime history.

The sheltered waterway has welcomed everyone from Viking settlers to explorers and Royal Navy ships, and today it's still one of the UK's busiest ports.

The kids loved spotting all the model boats and learning about life on the docks, while we enjoyed discovering a side of Pembrokeshire we knew very little about.

By lunchtime we'd worked up an appetite, so headed to The Harbourmaster.

The views alone are worth booking a table for. Sitting overlooking the marina with boats gently bobbing on the water while enjoying one of the best lunches of the holiday felt like we were somewhere much further afield. Fresh, delicious food, lovely service and the kind of place where you don't want to rush your meal.

After lunch we wandered around the waterfront, popping into a few independent shops and letting the children admire all the boats in the marina. If you've got transport-mad little ones, they'll happily spend ages watching everything coming and going.

Naturally, no family day out is complete without ice cream, so we finished our afternoon at The Scoop. It’s a cute little icecream parlour just off the harbour with dozens of flavours. Safe to say there were no complaints from Alice, Ada or Tommy!

What we loved most about Milford Haven was just how easy it all felt. It wasn't overcrowded or hectic, there was plenty of space to stroll around, and everything was within easy walking distance. It had that lovely laid-back seaside atmosphere that makes family days out feel genuinely relaxing.

If you're visiting this summer, there's even more reason to stop by. Milford Waterfront hosts a packed programme of family-friendly events, including Summer Fest with themed activity days, free museum Mondays, family trails, competitions and entertainment throughout the holidays.

Later in the summer there's also the Milford Waterfront Weekender, bringing together street food, live music, local artisan stalls and family entertainment right on the waterfront.

Harbour Fest has also become a fantastic annual celebration of the town's maritime heritage, with live music, food, heritage displays and activities for all ages.

Milford Haven might not shout as loudly as some of Pembrokeshire's better-known seaside towns, but perhaps that's part of its charm.

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