A couple of years ago when we first visited Tenby I wrote "Many of the Tenby's streets are not really suitable for today's automobiles....". This is obviously a view that is shared by the local councillors for this year during the summer months, all traffic has been banned from within the town's historic walls between 11am and 5pm. Apparently this has met with a mixed reception and while I can appreciate the inconvenience experienced by some people - the disabled in particular - I must say that for the average holidaymaker and pedestrian it does make for a much more pleasant and safer environment. In the picture below the line of parked cars (left) and prohibition notices (right) fade into insignificance when viewed against the magnificence of the town wall and the floral displays. Note the use of an old rowing boat in the flower bed.
Once within the walls, it soon becomes apparent how narrow some of the streets are. It is very unlikely though, that visitors unfamiliar with the layout of the town will become lost in the narrow streets and alleys for the landmark spire in the town centre of St Mary's Church, the largest parish church in Wales, is never far from view.
And in the other direction all roads seem to lead to the cliff top with views of St Catherine's Island.
The island was purchased in 1866 by the War Office with the intention of constructing defences against a possible attack by Napoleon III. The attack was not forthcoming and the fort fell into disuse but in the interim period it has been used as a luxury residence and even a zoo although it now forms only a picturesque and much photographed ruin. The Welsh name for Tenby is Dinbych y Pysgod which means Little Fort of the Fishes. The name for the town was acquired from a poem that described the area and an Iron Age fort composed about 875AD by the Celtic bard, Taliesin. Tenby is the anglicised version of Dinbych and today the holiday resort boasts two popular beaches. The cliff top on this side of the town provides access by means of a long flight of steps to the extensive and popular South Beach and those who choose to spend their holiday in one of the hotels or guest houses overlooking the beach can make their way down to the terraces cut in the cliff face to enjoy the views. For the less energetic, access to the beach is also possible from a car park at sea level.
If a day on the beach is not your choice there are a multitude of places to just sit and relax among the plants and flowers in the public gardens. Perhaps you'll contemplate visiting some of the other historic attractions in the town like the Tudor Merchants House or a boat trip to Caldey Island (centre left of the picture below), just three miles off shore, where a group of Cistercian monks have developed a thriving industry manufacturing shortbread, chocolate, perfume and toiletries inspired by the many wild flowers and herbs that grow there. Or maybe you'll follow William Henry Davies' advice, lean on the iron railings look out to sea and enjoy your leisure. "A poor life this if, full of care, We have no time to stand and stare". from "Leisure" by W. H. Davies (1871-1940)

And in the other direction all roads seem to lead to the cliff top with views of St Catherine's Island.