Coordinates: 51°40′28″N 4°42′16″W / 51.6745°N 4.7044°W
| Tenby | |
| Welsh: Dinbych-y-Pysgod | |
 A view towards Tenby Harbour and old town |
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  Tenby
Tenby shown within Wales |
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| Population | 4,933 (2001 census) |
|---|---|
| Principal area | Pembrokeshire |
| Ceremonial county | Dyfed |
| Country | Wales |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | TENBY |
| Postcode district | SA70 |
| Dialling code | 01834 |
| Police | Dyfed-Powys |
| Fire | Mid and West Wales |
| Ambulance | Welsh |
| EU Parliament | Wales |
| UK Parliament | Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire |
| List of places: UK • Wales • Pembrokeshire | |
Tenby (Welsh: Dinbych-y-Pysgod, meaning little town of the fishes or little fortress of the fish) is a walled seaside town in Pembrokeshire, south-west Wales, lying on Carmarthen Bay.
Notable features of Tenby include 4 kilometres (2.5 mi) of sandy beaches; the 13th century medieval town walls, including the Five Arches barbican gatehouse ; 15th-century St. Mary's church; the Tudor Merchant's House (National Trust); a museum with art gallery; and the Pembrokeshire Coast Path, part of Britain's only coastal National Park. Boats sail from Tenby's harbour to the offshore monastic Caldey Island, while St Catherine's Island is linked to the town at low tide. The town is served by Tenby railway station.
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History
The earliest reference to a settlement at Tenby is in Etmic Dinbych, a poem probably of ninth-century date, preserved in the fourteenth century Book of Taliesin. At this point the settlement was likely a hill fort, the mercantile nature of the settlement possibly developing under Hiberno-Norse influence. The town grew as a seaport around the now-ruined Tenby Castle. The town walls were built by William de Valence, 1st Earl of Pembroke, in the 13th century. In late medieval times, Tenby's importance grew as a sheltered seaport and in 1566 Portuguese seamen landed the first oranges to be brought to Wales at Tenby harbour.
In the Georgian and Victorian eras Tenby was renowned as a health resort and centre for botanical and geological study[citation needed], with many features of the town being constructed to provide areas for healthy seaside walks. Due to the walkways being built to accommodate Victorian nannies pushing prams, many of the beaches still retain good disabled access.
Notable residents
- Robert Recorde (1510-1558), Elizabethan scholar, who introduced the equals sign ( = ) to mathematical calculation
- Charles Norris (1779-1858), a topographical etcher and writer
- Augustus John (1878-1961), painter
- Gwen John (1876-1939), painter and older sister of Augustus John
- Nina Hamnett (1890–1956) artist and writer
- Kenneth Griffith (1921-2006), actor and documentary-maker
- Cecil Woodham-Smith (1896-1977), historian
- Frederick Charles Davies ‘Tenby Davies’ (1884-1932), half-mile world champion runner
- Rosie Swale-Pope Round the world walker
- Charles Dale (1963- ) Actor
- Paul Ridgewell (1939-2002) Songwriter
- Norman Lewis ( ? ) Travel writer
Tourism
Tenby is an exceptionally busy UK holiday resort in the summer. The relatively unspoilt beaches and historic town walls make it a unique seaside resort. Most shops, pubs and restaurants in Tenby are specifically marketed to tourists.
Sport
Tenby is home to Tenby United RFC, a rugby union club which has existed in the town in one form or another since 1876 and is a member of the Welsh Rugby Union. Tenby is also home to the Tenby Aces Cycling Club, who have expanded quickly to become the largest club in South Pembrokeshire.
Panorama
Picture taken: August 2008.
Gallery
 Beach at Tenby |
 Down from the prom |
 St Catherine's Island |
 Five Arches Gate |
 Chatting on the Esplanade |
 Colour of the shops |
 Tenby Crackwell St. |
See also
References
External links
- Tenby Town Council
- www.geograph.co.uk : photos of Tenby
- Wiki Travel Tenby Guide
- Tenby Visitor Guide
- Virtual tour of Tenby
- Tenby Male Choir
This entry is from Wikipedia, the leading user-contributed encyclopedia. It may not have been reviewed by professional editors (see full disclaimer)
