Summer Cottage, Haverfordwest

Pembrokeshire Coast. Sleeps up to 4

Whitesands and the Peninsula beachesWhitesands Beach, just a mile by road or footpath from Summer Cottage, is one of the most stunning locations on the Pembrokeshire coast. The wide sandy 'Blue Flag' beach has lifeguard cover in the summer and surf hire and surfing lessons available at the beach - so it is popular for swimming, surfing and water sports of all sorts. Whitesands is a lovely place to walk - your dog can walk there too between October and the end of April - and when you have had fun on the beach visit the Whitesands Cafe for tasty snacks and refreshments. On the other side of the city - just two miles from the cottage and looking out over St Brides' Bay - is Caerfai Beach. The scenery is spectacular and the beach, reached down a steep path, is a wonderful rock-pooling, game-playing platform for sandy heaven. If you walk the coastal path round the Peninsula you will find a number of small coves and less accessible beaches - at many times of year you will have them to yourself!Boat Trips and Offshore Islands - Adventures for both the brave and timidWhen you have seen the coastline from the coastal path complete the experience by going to sea. The Pembrokeshire coast is Britain's only coastal National Park and is is a treasure trove of birds and flowers, fish and marine mammals. Take a trip round Ramsey Island. Boats for both the brave and the timid leave from St Justinians and will take you round the Island and out to sea - or to land and spend the day wandering this amazing, rugged Island. Crews complete the experience by giving a wealth of local information - it is the experience of a lifetime!Boats from Martins Haven on the Marloes peninsula regularly drop off visitors to Skomer Island renowned internationally for its myriad breeding seabirds in particular comical puffins and hardy little manx shearwaters. Enjoy peace, tranquility and breathtaking natural beauty. The City of St DavidsAlthough St Davids has the status of a city it is in reality a small village. Useful as a source of groceries - there is a well-stocked supermarket, butchers and greengrocers, as well as a post office, ice cream and chocolate shop and two banks. There are also galleries and shops - clothes, gifts and outdoor gear; come and browse or buy - it is a delightful place to while away your holiday!Don't miss the outdoor farmers' market on Thursdays throughout the summer on the Cross Square - all sorts of local produce and tasty morsels. Davids Cathedral and the Bishops' PalaceTucked away in the valley below the town is St Davids' wonderful medieval Cathedral - take time to enjoy the history and atmosphere of this very special place. Dating back to 1181, the Cathedral is both a church and a historic building. Guide books and volunteer stewards are at hand to help you understand some of its differing fortunes across the centuries. Perhaps have coffee or a meal in the remarkable refectory - a modern insert in the 14th century St Mary's Hall. Across the tiny river Alun is the ruined Bishops' Palace with its lovely decorated stonework, wheel window, halls and stairways. Restored sufficiently to fire the imagination of young and old, let your children play while they absorb the atmosphere of this site of medieval power and influence. The Pembrokeshire Coast PathTo make the best of the Pembrokeshire coastline take time to enjoy the Pembrokeshire Coastal Path - definitely the jewel of the county. A short walk up the lane from the cottage join the footpath which leads to the Coastal Path and walk in either direction - west towards St Justinian and Ramsey Island or north round the mountain and towards Porthgain. The dramatic coastal scenery, flower and wildlife are what make Pembrokeshire one of the world’s best holiday destinations (National Geographic voted Pembrokeshire the 2nd best coastal destination in the world!). Splendid at all times of year, the explosion of colour with the spring flowers is something to behold!Outdoor Activities, horse riding and golfPembrokeshire is a centre for water-based activities of all sorts. Home of the sport of 'Coasteering', it is also a magnet for surfers and windsurfers, sailors, canoeists and rowers. If you are skilled at your chosen sport the coastline is an open venue but if you are less experienced, the County is well served with centres offering safe, instructor-led activities. There are golf courses to suit all levels of skill - with one of the most dramatic small courses overlooking Whitesands beach, just a few hundred yards up the road from the cottage.A little further afield at Nolton Haven is a riding school with a difference. Even experienced riders find it hard to top the experience of riding through the surf with Nolton Haven Riding Stables on the lovely beach at Druidston Haven. Coastal 'Shuttle' BusesDuring the summer months there are coastal shuttle buses which trundle round the lanes. This mode of transport is ideal for hassle-free access to the Coastal Path, beaches and coves - so leave your car behind and enjoy this beautiful part of Pembrokeshire without the worry of your carbon footprint or your fuel bill. Solva harbour and fishing VillageJust three miles from St Davids, Solva is a picturesque harbour village with interesting small shops and galleries and a selection of pubs, restaurants and places to eat. Window on Wales is a well-stocked gift and clothes shop which draws customers from across the county – well worth a visit!The harbour is a constantly changing vista of boats and other water craft. Play on the little beach, go crabbing down by the boats or walk round to Gwadn Cove at low tide. And at the end of the day enjoy tea and home-made cakes – or perhaps their famous fish and chips - in Cafe No 35, by the river. Welcome pets. St Bride's Bay Water Taxi for WalkersSolva Sailboats operate a water taxi which will take you to your chosen destination from where you can walk back along the stunning Pembrokeshire Coastal Path to Solva. Possible destinations include Porth Clais, Porthmynawydd, St Justinians, Nolton Haven and Little Haven (weather dependent). Phone 01437 720972. Local art and historic Woollen MillsArtists are drawn to Pembrokeshire for the quality of the light - created by the combination of landscape and sea. Visit the local galleries which range from St Davids' Oriel y Parc - combining the local Tourist Information Centre with a 'state of the art' gallery housing both visiting exhibitions and a resident Graham Sutherland exhibition - to small individual local artists' galleries with a great variety of art on offer. In the hamlet of Middle Mill - just a mile up the valley from Solva village - is Solva Woollen Mill. This is the oldest working woollen mill in Pembrokeshire which has been producing beautiful traditional fabrics since 1907. Suppliers of bespoke floor rugs to the Price of Wales for his Welsh home, this is certainly a mill to visit.A few miles away on the north coast, at the little hamlet of Tregwynt, is another traditional mill. Different in style from the Solva Mill, Tregwynt Mill also supplies well known national outlets with their own local designs. Family FunPembrokeshire is blessed with an amazing variety of quality family attractions. Tour the beautiful county and discover Dr Beynon's Bug Farm and Grub Kitchen, Castell Henllys Reconstructed Iron Age Settlement, Tenby's Tudor Merchants's House (N.T.), Bluestone Water Park, Folly Farm, Manor Wildlife Park and moreThis charming holiday cottage within strolling distance of magnificent Whitesands beach is a wonderful base for exploring Pembrokeshire at any time of the year.

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