In the Middle Ages, Tenby carried on a prosperous sea trade with France and Spain, Ireland and England. One of the fifteenth century merchants' houses now belongs to the National Trust.

The town became a resort two hundred years ago, when the attractions of the sea began to compete with the fashionable inland spas and here could be found similar assembly rooms, theatre, balls and social life, with the seafaring natives to serve the visitors' pleasure. The ancient houses, which had fallen into ruin, were rebuilt in Regency and early Victorian styles but, in the streets and alleyways within the twelfth century walls, there is a variety of shops, restaurants and cafes. The high point of the town is dominated by the ancient parish church, one of the largest in Wales and, on Castle Hill, settled since the Iron Age, the 120-year old museum is a treasure of the town's history and an art gallery of distinction. The town aso plays host to the Tenby Arts Festival every September.

Tenby is in a corner of Carmarthen Bay, sheltered by Caldey Island, an ancient religious settlement and today the home of a Cistercian community of monks who welcome visitors to the seclusion and rugged beauty of their refuge.

Tenby is a centre for touring Pembrokeshire, a county of great beauty, rugged coastline, valleys and hills, secluded beaches and excellent golf courses. There are world famous sea bird sanctuaries, Stone Age caves and tombs, Iron Age forts, Norman castles - altogether some 350 scheduled ancient monuments linked by the 300 kilometer coastal footpath.

The Walled Towns Friendship Circle was originated in Tenby and the south west gate of the walled town (shown in the photo at the head of the page) is the logo of the organisation.