Dyfed Shire Horse Farm
Dyfed Shire Horse Farm
4.5
10:45 AM - 4:30 PM
Wednesday
10:45 AM - 4:30 PM
Thursday
10:45 AM - 4:30 PM
Sunday
10:45 AM - 4:30 PM
About
Wales’ only dedicated Shire Horse Farm visitor attraction based between the Preseli Hills and the Coast of North Pembrokeshire and Newport Bay. We are proud that our family has farmed the land here for 8 generations since 1849. Our family first opened the farm to the public in 1992, to help us to preserve the Dyfed Shire bloodline in memory of our grandfather John Rees Lewis who started the bloodline. The birthplace of Celt aka Major Mercury Drum Horse of the Queen's Household Cavalry.
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4.5
364 reviews
Excellent
286
Very good
45
Average
13
Poor
9
Terrible
11
Ruth M
London, UK160 contributions
Sept 2023 • Family
I dislike writing reviews like this, but I feel strongly that action needs to be taken at this place.
Despite all the PR about this being the source of UK and international Royal families horses, I find this very difficult to believe. As we approached the outside of the 'farm' it looked rather run down and tatty, however the lady on reception was jolly, enthusiastic and seemed genuinely happy to see us. I was surprised at the entry cost, being £25 for 3 adults and a dog, but then seeing the high prices of the items in the gift shop, I thought that maybe this was a very high quality place. The lady gave us a map, showing all the activities and the timetable for the day.
Her enthusiasm was infectious but, for us, very short lived.
We found the whole place to be very run down and in desperate need of repairs and cleaning. None of the items on the list of timed activities during the day took place. There seemed to be a large amount of activities planning (benches set out for delivering talks, skittles/bowling, deflated play area etc etc) but none could be used. We only saw one member of staff actually in the farm throughout the whole day and he was obviously busy with animal work.
And now for the main problem with this place.... the animals. We saw two stabled mares with their foals, and one other mare without a foal. We also saw 2 horses in the field by the car park and two stallions in a hanger.
All three mares looked very depressed, not interested in their surroundings at all. One of the mares with foal had awful crusted over sores around her nostrils which didn't look like they had been treated at all. One of the stallions also had sores around his nose and nostrils with fresh blood in evidence, he was also standing on only three legs, holding his hind leg off the floor. He was very unhappy and loudly neighing and pounding the floor.
There was also a cat - not a wild, farm cat, but a domesticated, very friendly loving cat who was desperate for attention and purring loudly. This poor creature had terrible matts all over it's head and back and flanks, this matted fir went right down to the skin, so would be very painful and only able to be removed by a vet.
There was also a very unfortunate incident with a farm dog, who (we were told later) was only 6 months old and hadn't started his sheepdog training yet. He ran wild throughout the farm, when (we were told) he was supposed to be locked away from visitors. He terrorised our older dog to the point where we intended to leave, but the lady on reception then got the cafe lady to go and catch him and put him away. She was not best pleased at having to do this. as displayed by her grumpy looks in our direction.
If all the animals we encountered at this place were healthy, happy and well cared for, we could have overlooked the rough state of the place, but sadly this was not the case.
We were all very demoralised and saddened as we left. Considering the place was quite busy, I wonder where the considerable entrance money taken on the day was actually being spent.
Despite all the PR about this being the source of UK and international Royal families horses, I find this very difficult to believe. As we approached the outside of the 'farm' it looked rather run down and tatty, however the lady on reception was jolly, enthusiastic and seemed genuinely happy to see us. I was surprised at the entry cost, being £25 for 3 adults and a dog, but then seeing the high prices of the items in the gift shop, I thought that maybe this was a very high quality place. The lady gave us a map, showing all the activities and the timetable for the day.
Her enthusiasm was infectious but, for us, very short lived.
We found the whole place to be very run down and in desperate need of repairs and cleaning. None of the items on the list of timed activities during the day took place. There seemed to be a large amount of activities planning (benches set out for delivering talks, skittles/bowling, deflated play area etc etc) but none could be used. We only saw one member of staff actually in the farm throughout the whole day and he was obviously busy with animal work.
And now for the main problem with this place.... the animals. We saw two stabled mares with their foals, and one other mare without a foal. We also saw 2 horses in the field by the car park and two stallions in a hanger.
All three mares looked very depressed, not interested in their surroundings at all. One of the mares with foal had awful crusted over sores around her nostrils which didn't look like they had been treated at all. One of the stallions also had sores around his nose and nostrils with fresh blood in evidence, he was also standing on only three legs, holding his hind leg off the floor. He was very unhappy and loudly neighing and pounding the floor.
There was also a cat - not a wild, farm cat, but a domesticated, very friendly loving cat who was desperate for attention and purring loudly. This poor creature had terrible matts all over it's head and back and flanks, this matted fir went right down to the skin, so would be very painful and only able to be removed by a vet.
There was also a very unfortunate incident with a farm dog, who (we were told later) was only 6 months old and hadn't started his sheepdog training yet. He ran wild throughout the farm, when (we were told) he was supposed to be locked away from visitors. He terrorised our older dog to the point where we intended to leave, but the lady on reception then got the cafe lady to go and catch him and put him away. She was not best pleased at having to do this. as displayed by her grumpy looks in our direction.
If all the animals we encountered at this place were healthy, happy and well cared for, we could have overlooked the rough state of the place, but sadly this was not the case.
We were all very demoralised and saddened as we left. Considering the place was quite busy, I wonder where the considerable entrance money taken on the day was actually being spent.
Written 16 September 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Richard C
Gloucester, UK3 contributions
Aug 2021 • Family
Thank you for a fun filled day. You have clearly thought of different ways of to keep all ages interested as the timetable of activities has something for everyone! We enjoyed the cart ride and the land train trip around the animals. Mark was very engaging and told us lots about the history of the farm and taught us some new facts about the animals as well! All of the staff were very helpful and friendly which made our day even more enjoyable. We will definitely be coming here again and would recommend this to other families who are visiting this area. Mark is an incredible host and imparts his enthusiasm and knowledge to all of his guests. Many thanks again, The Cooper family.
Written 13 August 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Many thanks for your very kind comments. We're really pleased that you enjoyed your time with us and everything that we offer on our busy farm timetable!
We hope you all visit us again in the near future!
Dyfed Shires Team
Written 2 November 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
11ses
Haverfordwest, UK18 contributions
Jun 2021 • Solo
A very pleasant visit on a rather overcast day.
Talks and events centre around the farm's yard, so nice and accessible if you have mobility problems.
Dogs on leads are welcomed .
Between talks/events visitors are free to visit the paddocks, the museum and the harness room.
There is a short nature trail around the farm, again all on even ground so fine for pushchairs.
Had the day not been overcast (no fault of the owner) the surrounding countryside is absolutely stunning.
Talks and events centre around the farm's yard, so nice and accessible if you have mobility problems.
Dogs on leads are welcomed .
Between talks/events visitors are free to visit the paddocks, the museum and the harness room.
There is a short nature trail around the farm, again all on even ground so fine for pushchairs.
Had the day not been overcast (no fault of the owner) the surrounding countryside is absolutely stunning.
Written 10 June 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for your review and kind words.
We persevere through most weather but are pleased that you made the most of what we had to offer despite it not being the best day possible!
We hope to see you again on the farm and bring the sunshine with you when you do!
Dyfed Shires Team
Written 2 November 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Helen M
Stratford-upon-Avon, UK3 contributions
Jun 2022 • Couples
Visited for around an hour and absolutely loved seeing the horses and spending time with them. Please remember this is a working farm, so for anyone showing up expecting Disney land please don't bother wasting their time or yours. This is not aimed as some commercial tourist attraction it's somewhere to go if you want to learn about the horses and see them and appreciate them. Some of the negative reviews seem to think this is purely a location that should cater to their every whim which is the typical entitled view of people these days. For those people just go to Butlins next time for all our sakes.
Written 1 July 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ann-marie C
7 contributions
Aug 2021 • Family
Had a lovely few days. We had to leave early but had a good 5 days. Huw & Mark (and other family members & staff) were welcoming and friendly. Loved the Shire horses (Bonus the shire horse is beautiful) donkeys and other animals. The quad bike train trip was short but fun for the children. Play area was handy for our children and the pedal go karts were a huge hit to keep them busy when us adults wanted to relax.
Mark kindly Loaned us a fire pit free of charge. Hunted for wood and also bought some from the garage next door.
The on-site washing up sink was super hot and not too busy. Could prob do with another sink - for future reference.
The terrapin shower toilet area does need some work (or maybe just another electric shower fitted in the other toilet room). We went when it was busy so there was often a queue for the toilet and with children that’s not ideal, however for a 4/5 day stay we just about managed (had our own camping loo as back up) and left the campsite saying we’d like to come back in a year/2 when visiting Pembrokeshire again.
It’s a site ideally located for Fishguard harbour, broad haven beach (fab for fish & chips on the beach!) and cardigan retail shops. Some very pretty villages which we really enjoyed.
A quaint, quirky campsite. Wellies needed at times but as a working farm this is to be expected.
Thank you dyfed shire horse farm
Mark kindly Loaned us a fire pit free of charge. Hunted for wood and also bought some from the garage next door.
The on-site washing up sink was super hot and not too busy. Could prob do with another sink - for future reference.
The terrapin shower toilet area does need some work (or maybe just another electric shower fitted in the other toilet room). We went when it was busy so there was often a queue for the toilet and with children that’s not ideal, however for a 4/5 day stay we just about managed (had our own camping loo as back up) and left the campsite saying we’d like to come back in a year/2 when visiting Pembrokeshire again.
It’s a site ideally located for Fishguard harbour, broad haven beach (fab for fish & chips on the beach!) and cardigan retail shops. Some very pretty villages which we really enjoyed.
A quaint, quirky campsite. Wellies needed at times but as a working farm this is to be expected.
Thank you dyfed shire horse farm
Written 14 August 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for your campsite review, we enjoyed meeting you and helping out during your stay as we endeavour to do with everyone who visits and stays with us.
The showers and toilets were busy in the peak season and we added an additional shower/toilet this season to help with the demand.
We look forward to welcoming you again in a year or 2 when you next visit Pembrokeshire.
Dyfed Shires Team
Written 2 November 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
70htaylor
Birmingham, UK5 contributions
Aug 2020
It was a truly great place to take the kids and relax.
It is not a luxurious site but a shire horse farm with great amenities for the kids, all free of charge. It felt very safe and secure and the owners could not do enough for us.
There are enough toilets (including portaloos) and two showers but they always seemed available for us.
There are regular talks and introductions of the horses and the farm itself which were very interesting. There is a garage/shop right next door which sells most of the necessities but it closes early so don't rely on it it you plan to arrive after 5pm.
I would thoroughly recommend and will definitely return soon.
It is not a luxurious site but a shire horse farm with great amenities for the kids, all free of charge. It felt very safe and secure and the owners could not do enough for us.
There are enough toilets (including portaloos) and two showers but they always seemed available for us.
There are regular talks and introductions of the horses and the farm itself which were very interesting. There is a garage/shop right next door which sells most of the necessities but it closes early so don't rely on it it you plan to arrive after 5pm.
I would thoroughly recommend and will definitely return soon.
Written 16 August 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for your great campsite review!
We're really pleased that you enjoyed all that we have to offer and that you made the most of the all-inclusive nature of our farm/campsite attraction.
Thank you for your recommendation, we look forward to your return visit!
Dyfed Shires Team
Written 9 September 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Neil B
Narberth, United Kingdom83 contributions
Apr 2022
Being up and close to the horses. Docile and well-loved animals. Well presented and history of their breeding.
Okay, it's basic. It's a working farm. However, the enthusiasm of the presenters, the animals to get close to, the rides and the history on show make it worth it.
We went pre-Covid and the site hasn't changed much but there are new animals and new stories. At ages 10 & 6, the grandkids we took were new to it and found plenty to keep them occupied - even simple excitements like feeding a handful of grass to a giant horse.
Cafe clean and comfortable with simple but good food
Okay, it's basic. It's a working farm. However, the enthusiasm of the presenters, the animals to get close to, the rides and the history on show make it worth it.
We went pre-Covid and the site hasn't changed much but there are new animals and new stories. At ages 10 & 6, the grandkids we took were new to it and found plenty to keep them occupied - even simple excitements like feeding a handful of grass to a giant horse.
Cafe clean and comfortable with simple but good food
Written 10 April 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you Neil for your kind comments.
We're really pleased that your enjoyed your re-visit to our farm in these days of Covid.
Yes we are indeed a traditional rural family farm attraction but we appreciate you understanding the importance of our work in breeding our Gentle Giants and in telling our old family story.
We're also pleased to see your comments regarding our popular Caffi Celt.
We hope that you visit us again with the grandkids!
Dyfed Shires Team
Written 21 June 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Ourfamilythoughts
Neath, UK44 contributions
Aug 2020 • Family
We stayed for 2 nights early August. The owner was lovely. 5 minute walk to toilets and showers. Lots for children to do. The shire horses were lovely. We had food from the cafe very tasty.
Unfortunately we did find it noisy at night compared to when we normal camp. Large groups had come together and inevitably noise gets louder the more people drink.
Unfortunately we did find it noisy at night compared to when we normal camp. Large groups had come together and inevitably noise gets louder the more people drink.
Written 19 August 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for your campsite review.
We're pleased that you enjoyed the menu in our Caffi Celt, enjoyed meeting our 'Gentle Giants' and found plenty to keep your children entertained!
We pride ourselves on having a family friendly campsite and received no complaints about loud family groups at night - had we have done so, we would've spoken to the relevant campers to remind them of our campsite rules that we give out to all campers on arrival.
We feel it rather unfair that despite clearly enjoying all that we have to offer, you marked us only a 3* review based on a problem that you didn't make of us aware of at the time, therefore giving us no opportunity to remedy that problem whilst you were with us.
Dyfed Shires Team
Written 9 September 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
greenprincess222
Pembrokeshire, UK528 contributions
Nov 2021 • Couples
Firstly, we visited as just adults. If we had children with us then we would probably have stayed longer. We enjoyed our visit here but we only stayed an hour or two and we had done everything that we wanted to in this time.
The staff are amazing - they are so friendly and can’t do enough to help you. Their passion for their horses also shines through.
The horses are very well kept and are beautiful.
It’s a very hands on place so you can stroke the horses, groom the donkeys etc.
Horse and carriage ride was lovely.
When we went to walk round some of the animals in the paddocks, there were barbed wire on their fences. The donkeys were coming up to say hello but we couldn’t stroke them because of the barbed wire.
The demonstrations are great. Just to be aware that Pembrokeshire timings are approximate and they definitely apply here so don’t expect everything to be bang on time but they were worth the wait.
Overall it was a nice couple of hours out.
The staff are amazing - they are so friendly and can’t do enough to help you. Their passion for their horses also shines through.
The horses are very well kept and are beautiful.
It’s a very hands on place so you can stroke the horses, groom the donkeys etc.
Horse and carriage ride was lovely.
When we went to walk round some of the animals in the paddocks, there were barbed wire on their fences. The donkeys were coming up to say hello but we couldn’t stroke them because of the barbed wire.
The demonstrations are great. Just to be aware that Pembrokeshire timings are approximate and they definitely apply here so don’t expect everything to be bang on time but they were worth the wait.
Overall it was a nice couple of hours out.
Written 2 November 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for your review.
We're pleased that you enjoyed your time on the farm and appreciated the demonstrations offered the passion that we have for our equine family!
With it being late autumn, the farm is quieter at that time of year, so we're usually a little more flexible with our timetable but we're pleased that you enjoyed your few hours with us.
Dyfed Shires Team
Written 21 June 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Cliff R
4 contributions
Oct 2022
It has been many years since our last visit and time has taken its toll as the area now looks very tired and could do with a facelift. With its links to the Royal Horse Artillery and Royalty, one might expect a greater impact. What saves it, of course, is the quality of the horses and their care together with a very friendly staff who are willing to engage and inform at anytime. The cafe served a fabulous beef cawl and again the staff were delightful. Overall, a coat of paint and general brush up, and the centre would be a real treat to visit for anyone.
Written 3 November 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
A Tripadvisor member
Eglwyswrw, United Kingdom
They are indeed at a small entry fee of £2 per dog.
Written 8 September 2017
Are wellies recommend if it has been raining before going?
Written 26 July 2017
Hello there!
Yes we would recommend wellies just in case if it has been wet.
You can bring spare footwear with you and pop out to the car park to change them if necessary!
Written 26 July 2017
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