In the latest part of our series on ferry routes, NORMAN MILLER looks at picturesque Pembroke in Wales and sails to Ireland's beautiful Rosslare

PEMBROKE
Pembroke is home to one of Britain's most magnificent Norman strongholds, the castle of the same name (01646 684 585/ www.pembroke-castle.co.uk).

Today, Pembroke is a place of quieter charms. Admire Tudor and Georgian houses, plus the remains of the ancient town walls along Westgate Hill.

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Stroll around the Castle Pond and Mill Pond, then visit the ruins of the old Benedictine Priory. The high street mixes old-fashioned shops with intriguing outlets such as the Pembroke Glassblowing Studio.

The ferry port in Pembroke Dock was once among Britain's major naval dockyards and has two unusual military museums: the Gun Tower Museum in an atmospheric 1850s fortification, and the Flying Boat Centre, which shows an ongoing project to raise and restore a rare Sunderland Flying Boat that sank in 1940.

STAY: Lamphey Court Hotel & Spa (01646 672 273/www.lampheycourt.co.uk) offers doubles from £92 per night (two sharing), B&B.

INFO: Visit Pembrokeshire: 01437 776 499/ www.visitpembrokeshire.com

THE FERRY The Irish Ferries (0871 730 0400/ www.irishferries.com) vessel Isle of Inishmore makes daily crossings that take four hours.

It is one of Europe's largest car ferries and its on-board facilities include cafés, two lounges, a restaurant, games rooms and shop.

Return tickets are from £224 (for a car and two passengers). Foot passenger prices from £46 return per adult, £26 return per child.

ROSSLARE
While Pembrokeshire is no slouch for fabulous beaches, it is matched by the Wexford coast around Rosslare.

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Some 18 miles of unbroken, dune-backed sand stretches from Cahore Point to Raven Point, while other beaches cradle picturesque fishing villages at Curracloe and Duncannon.

Take boats from Kilmore to the ruggedly beautiful Saltee Islands or head to beautiful Ballinesker to tread the sands where Steven Spielberg filmed scenes for Saving Private Ryan.

A vibrant alternative to a beachside base is Wexford, 12 miles from Rosslare. The town's narrow winding streets and medieval town walls are complemented by a bustling modern quayfront, the Wexford Arts Centre and the ruins of Selskar Abbey. Diverse attractions dot the area and within a couple of hours' drive you could climb the 13th-century Hook Lighthouse for stupendous coastal views or ghost-hunt at nearby Tintern Abbey.

STAY: Clifford House (dialling from the UK: 00 353 53 913 3226/ www.cliffordhouse.ie) offers doubles from £65 per night (two sharing), B&B.

INFO: Wexford Tourism: 916 1155/ www.wexfordtourism.com