Pembroke Dock

Towns & Villages In Pembrokeshire

Postcode: SA72 6DT | WhatThreeWords: dumplings.turns.fingernails

Discover Pembroke Dock, Pembrokeshire – a historic naval town with maritime heritage, ferry links to Ireland, local shops, walking routes, and plenty to explore..

Pembroke Dock is a historic waterside town in South Pembrokeshire, set along the edge of the Milford Haven Waterway. Known for its strong naval roots and shipbuilding past, Pembroke Dock (or “The Dock” as locals often call it) has grown from a 19th-century military outpost into a busy and welcoming town with a fascinating story to tell.

Founded in 1814 as a Royal Navy dockyard, the town was built with purpose – to construct and maintain warships during a time when naval power was central to the British Empire. Over the decades, the dockyard produced dozens of major vessels, including steamships and ironclads. Later, during the Second World War, the town played a vital role as a base for flying boats like the Sunderland, which patrolled the Atlantic from the town’s vast waterfront.

Today, Pembroke Dock still carries the proud marks of its past, with historic buildings, forts, and remnants of the old dockyard dotted throughout the town. You can learn all about its military and maritime history at the Pembroke Dock Heritage Centre, which is located in the beautifully restored Garrison Chapel. The museum features everything from flying boat history to stories of wartime resilience and Royal Dockyard life.

One of the most surprising and fascinating stories uncovered at the Heritage Centre is Pembroke Dock’s connection to the Star Wars universe. In the late 1970s, the town became the secret construction site for the full-size Millennium Falcon used in The Empire Strikes Back. Built in absolute secrecy inside one of the RAF hangars, this iconic piece of film history was assembled right here in Pembroke Dock. The museum now features a dedicated exhibit called Dockyard of the Millennium Falcon, where visitors can learn about how it all came together, see behind-the-scenes photos, and enjoy hands-on demonstrations and displays that bring this amazing story to life. It’s a must-see for Star Wars fans and a unique part of Pembroke Dock’s modern legacy.

Beyond its heritage, Pembroke Dock is a working town with all the essentials – supermarkets, schools, high street shops, cafés, pubs, and local businesses serving the surrounding area. It’s also home to Pembroke Dock Ferry Terminal, with daily sailings to Rosslare, Ireland, making the town an important link between Wales and the Irish coast.

The Pembrokeshire Coast Path runs nearby, offering walkers scenic routes with views over the estuary and dockyard. Locals and visitors alike enjoy the green open spaces of Llanion Cove, Waterloo Lake, and the surrounding parklands. For boat lovers and watersports enthusiasts, the Haven Waterway offers opportunities to kayak, paddleboard, or simply relax by the water.

With a population of around 9,000, Pembroke Dock has a strong sense of community and a growing interest in regeneration and tourism. Creative spaces, independent businesses, and local groups are bringing new energy into the town, while still honouring its hardworking roots.

Whether you’re visiting for the ferry, walking the coastal path, or uncovering military history, Pembroke Dock offers a unique mix of past and present – a true working town that’s full of character, coastal charm, and stories waiting to be explored.

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