Painted houses overlooking the harbour in Tenby…
It’s time for some more pictures from my August days in Tenby, Pembrokeshire, a very old town well known for its colourful painted houses and hotels. In Welsh its name is Dinbych-y-pysgod, meaning “little town of the fishes” or “little fortress of the fish”.
More subtle colours, but always so clean and well-kept…
New buildings in Tenby are also going along with the colourful tradition…
It’s all a facade… the front of this old building is being kept but behind it will be a new Premier Inn
There are also colourful inn signs. The Coach & Horses claims to be the oldest pub in Tenby. But, moving with the times, it also now serves Thai food as well as traditional fare…
The Coach & Horses in Tenby…
The Buccaneer Inn…
The Three Mariners…
The Crown Inn…
The Plantagenet House restaurant in Quay Hill, Tenby…
We had lunch in the Plantagenet and it was very friendly. The young waiter – or maybe he was the manager – was proud to show people a huge old chimney at the back of the restaurant. It’s so big you can stand under it and look up. If you are a “lady” he will also point out the upstairs loo where you can look out over the harbour – or down into an amazing Victorian toilet bowl whose china is decorated with blue flowers.
Parts of the Plantagenet date from the 10th century and it stands next to the National Trust’s Tudor Merchant’s House.
Tudor Merchant’s House, Tenby…
A sign on the wall of the merchant’s house says it was repaired thanks to public subscription in 1938 and given to the National Trust by Tenby Corporation. It’s an interesting building – apparently the oldest in Tenby – and the National Trust has now given the interior a “new” look, to make it appear as it would have in 1500.
Tudor Merchant’s House, Tenby…
I had visited once many years ago and enjoyed the atmosphere and objects it contained. But I have to say I didn’t quite like it as much this time. It could be that it was full of inappropriate antiques before and now it is full of new things in the style of 1500.
It has followed the modern trend for an immersive family-orientated experience where children can play games like cat’s cradle and try on Tudor clothes. I guess I am old fashioned and shy, and prefer just to look at interesting old things!
Upstairs in the Tudor Merchant’s House…
That picture on the wall is a “stained cloth” painted by Anthony Barton of York in 2012. This would have been used in Medieval times as a cheaper alternative to a tapestry. It shows the town as it was in 1457 when Jasper Tudor rebuilt the walls. In those days the walls were all white, as you can see. Medieval stonework was limewashed to protect it from the weather.
Detail from the above wall hanging, showing Jasper Tudor with Thomas White, the mayor in 1457 (kneeling), a bailiff and a guard. The picture from the National Trust website is by Gareth Parry…
Jasper Tudor (c1431-1495) was the Earl of Pembroke and looks a lot like Henry VII in this picture. Not surprising as he was the first Tudor king’s uncle. Tenby was his power base.
Tenby’s old town walls today – no longer limewashed…
Opposite the old walls is this former baguette shop, now very run down. As I mentioned in my earlier post, there is a French feel to Tenby by the old walls…
And finally… colourful gardens in South Parade, Tenby, just outside the old town walls. This way lies the bus terminus for Penally…
For more colourful painted seaside towns, see my posts:
The painted streets of Aberaeron
The Squirrelbasket 
Some of those photos remind me of Teignmouth Pat.
Thank you for sharing.
Shaz
Now that’s somewhere I haven’t been! One for my list, then.
As I think I mentioned elsewhere, I wonder if seaside towns have coloured houses so you can identify your home when you are out at sea, or just because they are cheerful places…
By the way, I am currently reading The String Diaries on your recommendation. Excellent – but not at all cheerful!
Best wishes 🙂
You will love the ending! Hope it’s getting your heart beating …
Shaz
Can’t wait – half-way through, nearly, and trying to make sure no one is reading over my shoulder on the bus for the smutty parts!
Ah yes. I remember now (had to think there for a bit). Interesting what the mind remembers…
Looks as though there are some lovely colourful buildings in Tenby. I can remember a time when buildings had to be uniform in colour and style. Even the front door had to be the same colour as everybody else.
I think some towns and villages still have that rule. I can recall people being told to repaint because their walls were too bright, here in Cardiff.
When I was a child our front door was green. What colour was yours?
Best wishes 🙂
As far as I can recall I think it was green as well.
Probably most were green, black or that awful brown in those days!
Have a good Wednesday…
Thank you!