Pembrokeshire by roof tent

By the Overlanding.info team · Updated 21 October 2026 · Sources checked 21 October 2026

For a first Pembrokeshire roof tent break, concentrate on Newgale, Solva and St Davids. Our three-day suggestion gives you one part of the coast to explore from a booked base, with time for a beach, harbour or town visit each day.

This is a flexible road-touring plan. It is not a drive around the whole county, and the Pembrokeshire Coast Path is a walking trail, not a vehicle route. Choose your campsite and daytime stops before measuring the final driving distance.

A suggested three-day itinerary

You can reverse the order or spend both full days near one base. If your arrival drive already takes most of the day, drop the first outing rather than pushing campsite arrival late into the evening.

Save a separate plan for any coastal walk. Check the path, expected conditions, daylight and return transport for the exact outing you choose. A place appearing in the driving itinerary does not establish that a particular beach or cliff route is suitable for your group.

Roads and campsite access

The A487 connects the Newgale, Solva and St Davids areas, but the final road to a campsite may need more attention than the main journey. For example, Hendre Eynon's own directions follow the A487 past Newgale and Solva into St Davids, and warn of a 1:6 hill at Newgale, a steep, narrow hill through Solva and narrow roads around the site. This is a useful example of why the site's instructions matter; it is not confirmation of a pitch booking or roof tent acceptance there.

Ask your chosen campsite which approach it recommends for your loaded vehicle. Save those directions and check current road restrictions before setting off. Avoid accepting a shorter route through an unfamiliar lane solely to save a few minutes.

Where to sleep

The National Park Authority's parking page says sleeping overnight in a vehicle is not permitted in its car parks, and that this can be enforced with a fixed penalty notice. It points visitors to local accommodation instead. A parking ticket isn't a roof tent pitch. Arrange your overnight stays with a campsite that has accepted your setup.

The Coast Path FAQ says camping without the landowner's permission is a trespass, and that nearly all the land the path crosses is privately owned. It adds that many campsites are small, so booking is essential on bank holiday weekends and between June and September. For a roof tent, contact the operator directly and ask:

• Which booking category covers a car with a roof-mounted tent?
• Can the vehicle stay on the pitch, with room for the open tent and ladder?
• Are the pitch and access suitable for the dates and vehicle?
• What are the arrival deadline and arrangements for a daytime return?
• Which water, washing-up, toilet and waste facilities are available?

Keep two nights at the same base if it fits your plans. It reduces the number of campsite transfers and gives you an established place to return to after an outing.

Daytime parking and buses

The Authority manages around 40 car parks and parking areas and charges at 14 of them, including Newgale (Pebbles), Solva and Oriel y Parc in St Davids. Its page explains the charging period and payment options; check the current price before you go. The Coast Path FAQ notes that buying parking in advance doesn't guarantee a space. Other car parks have their own operators and rules, so check the signs on arrival, including any height or bay limits.

The Authority's coastal buses page describes Fflecsi, an on-demand bus covering zones in north west and south west Pembrokeshire, booked by app or phone. It sends you to Pembrokeshire County Council for timetables and updates. Some dates on the page have passed, so check the current service for your dates, including the last return. A bus outing lets you leave the car and tent at camp.

Weather and a simpler alternative

Plan around the forecast for both the campsite and your activity. Follow the tent maker's limits and instructions, and have somewhere suitable to stay if conditions do not support camping. Do not assume another side of the car or an accessory will make an exposed pitch suitable.

If the intended coastal outing does not suit the day, shorten the itinerary or choose a town visit. Leave enough time to dry the tent after the trip, especially if departure morning is wet.

Supplies and preparation

Organise food, drinking water and fuel or charging before checking in. Confirm site facilities rather than assuming every campsite has a shop or refill point. Keep the first evening's essentials accessible and use the kit list builder to tailor your packing.

If this is your first roof tent outing, start with the two-night weekend guide. It covers the practice setup, campsite questions and packing routine that make a regional trip easier to manage.

Official sources

Before you travel, check the National Park Authority for parking and access, Pembrokeshire County Council for bus times, and your campsite for its approach and pitch. Suggested days are our editorial plan; the dated sources support the visitor guidance. For another Welsh regional trip, compare Eryri by roof tent.

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