My first visit to Pembrokeshire was some years ago as a media student, travelling with a group on a mission to make a film.

The location was perfect – vast, lonely beaches, spectacular coastline and the Celtic ruggedness of St David’s.

We were not the first filmmakers to choose this region – Britain’s only coastal National Park – some Hollywood movies have been shot here.

It was a tough week with little time for sightseeing.

When I returned to this pretty corner of Wales this year it was for a different kind of production as I visited with my partner and our young daughter, staying at the holiday cottage resort of Celtic Haven.

Open all year round and offering short breaks as well as weekly stays, Celtic Haven is a collection of whitewashed self-catering holiday cottages occupying a site overlooking a beautiful bay minutes from the coastal path and a 10-minute drive from Tenby.

When I say resort, Celtic Haven is not a glitzy holiday park. There are some excellent sport and leisure facilities which guests enjoy free use of – including an indoor pool and a luxury spa – but think peaceful retreat rather than water slides and evening cabaret.

It’s very much a family-friendly resort too; it’s just that visitors tend to do their own thing, and with the lack of a central point it’s hard to know who is around. I was surprised to learn it was almost full the week we were there; you wouldn’t have known at all.

Some of the cottages are believed to date from the 12th century and each cottage name gives a clue about its history.

Inside our cottage, the Hayloft, it was very much up to date as well as warm and cosy. Ours was a one-bedroom cottage but it was roomy with a kitchen/lounge and separate bedroom and bathroom.

We had been sent a shopping list in case we wished to pre-order any groceries. We chose to shop once we were there – there is no shop on site – but we found a supermarket nearby.

We cooked our own meals except for one occasion when we dined at the excellent resort restaurant, Waves. It offers a range of Italian-inspired and traditional dishes and the al fresco terrace offers beautiful views across to Caldey Island.

The kitchen in our cottage was fully equipped and once we had bought our goods and cooked a meal on the first night we felt well and truly settled. We felt so comfortable that it was difficult to extract ourselves and go exploring.

When we did manage to tear ourselves away we found there was a wealth of things to do, and right on our doorstep. This is an area which has something for everyone, whether it be walking, cycling, exploring the cliffs and historic sites, going on a boat trip, enjoying family attractions or relaxing on a beach. Unsurprisingly for a county with so much coast, Pembrokeshire boasts more than 50 beaches.

Our trip was focused on the family-friendly fun available, and we selected two suitable attractions. They were both excellent and worth a visit whatever your age!

Folly Farm began life as a working farm but has grown to become an animal park, as well as adventure playground and funfair. It is open all year round and half of it is under cover. Star attractions are the lions, penguins and giraffes but our young daughter enjoyed being hands-on with the animals she could pat including goats and rabbits.

Manor House Wildlife Park is run by the TV presenter Anna Ryder-Richardson and is known from the various TV programmes that have covered the park’s development. It is a zoo with a difference as you can walk through enclosures and get up close with the animals. There’s a wealth of different creatures here from giant rabbits to ostriches and rhinos.

No visit to this area would be complete without a visit to Tenby, a picturesque harbour town and seaside resort.

The town’s hilltop position meant it was a Welsh stronghold in its early days, and later a Norman castle and walls were built.

Some of the walls survive and can be seen at the entrance to the old town.

Places of interest include the 15th-century Tudor Merchant’s House, which gives an insight into the life of a successful merchant and his family. The fascinating collection in Tenby Museum is also worth a look.

Other places for families interested in the history of the area include Pembroke Castle, birthplace of Henry VII and one of the finest Norman castles in the country.

Unfortunately we had to say ‘cut’ on our visit and it was time to leave but we left with great memories.

All in all, a first-class production.

Factfile

Celtic Haven is a small, family-run business with 30 self-catering cottages, each accommodating between two and 12 people. Prices start from £27 per person per night (£38 per person per night during the school summer holidays), based on full occupancy on specified breaks.

Guests enjoy free use of facilities – heated indoor swimming pool, sauna, hot tub, fitness suite, headland golf course, all-weather tennis courts, children’s adventure playground and more. Golf and tennis equipment is free of charge to borrow. The Elemis Premier Spa offers more than 80 luxury spa treatments, beauty therapies, pamper packages and overnight spa breaks.

Guests can book or enquire on 01834 870000, email welcome@celtichaven.co.uk or visit www.celtichaven.co.uk There is a ‘price freeze’ next year so there will be no increase in brochure prices from 2015 to 2016.

For information about things to see and do in Pembrokeshire see www.visitpembrokeshire.com Some useful contacts: Folly Farm Adventure Park and Zoo, Begelly. 01834 812731, folly-farm.co.uk Manor House Wildlife Park, St Florence. 01646 651201, annawelshzoo.co.uk Tudor Merchant’s House, Tenby. 01834 842279, nationaltrust.org.uk/tudormerchantshouse Pembroke Castle. 01646 681510, pembroke-castle.co.uk.

Tenby Museum and Art Gallery 01834 842809, tenbymuseum.org.uk