Solva House, Solva

Pembrokeshire Coast. Sleeps up to 9

Solva harbour and fishing VillageA 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, walk round to the Gwadn at low tide or climb over the Gribyn. And at the end of the day enjoy tea and home-made cakes – or perhaps their famous fish and chips - in No 35, the café by the river. Welcome petsSolva Woollen MillA mile up the valley from the village is the hamlet of Middle Mill. Here the Solva Woollen Mill, the oldest working woollen mill in Pembrokeshire, 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. St Bride's Bay Water Taxi for WalkersSolva Sailboats operate a water taxi which will take you to your chosen destination so that 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. St Davids village/citySt Davids is the smallest city in Britain. At the centre of the peninsula, the city (really a village) is surrounded by sea – to be seen in the distance when you stand at the top of the square. There is a variety of gift and clothes shops, galleries, cafes, restaurants and pubs as well as activity booking offices. The village is well supplied with a chemist, ironmongers, supermarket, shoe shop, doctors and veterinary surgeries and a filling station. St Davids Cathedral and Bishops’ palaceAt the heart of the ‘city’ is the lovely 12th century St Davids Cathedral. Deep in the valley where it aimed, sometimes unsuccessfully, to evade the notice of marauding Vikings, the Cathedral is a place of calm, a wonderful historic building, a centre for concerts, a place of welcome for the footsore and of course a parish church. Be sure to visit – in such a small remote town, it is a wonder to behold!Just across the little river Alun is the 13th Century Bishops’ Palace. Built when two visits to the See of St Davids was equal in pilgrimage terms to one to Rome, it is now a well maintained ruin. Although originally splendid, it was left to fall down by a departing bishop who was said to have taken the lead off the roof to pay for his daughter’s dowry. It is now a ruin to delight the heart of visiting children and adults alike with some lovely restored windows and decorative masonry. Newgale and Whitesands Beaches and St Davids Head3 miles from Solva the horizon opens up into a breathtaking and dramatic seascape looking south towards the island of Skomer and north to Ramsey. Newgale beach forms the back of St Bride’s Bay and stretches for about three miles of golden sand. Run and jump, walk the dog (there is a restricted area in the summer) play football or just enjoy the ozone!To the west, two miles past St Davids, is the smaller but equally lovely beach at Whitesands. This is famous amongst surfers but beloved of locals and visitors alike. With the north end of Ramsey Island in view along with the treacherous Clerks and Bishops – rocks responsible for generations of shipwrecks – enjoy playing on the beach or perhaps walk out to St Davids Head. Here there are prehistoric settlements, an iron-age cliff fort and the ancient Coetan Arthur burial chamber. From the top of Carn Llidi – the ‘mountain’ behind the beach - you can view the world like a map laid out below you. Boat Trips to Ramsey Island and GrassholmVisit a booking office in St Davids and book your place on a memorable boat trip from St Justinians out to Ramsey Island or further afield to see the enormous gannet colony on Grassholm. Take an exciting island boat trip with Falcon Boats or a perhaps more sedate one - either is sure to be a wonderful experience with fabulous coastal scenery, marine and bird life to enjoy. Outdoor activities on the St Davids Peninsula If experiencing the great outdoors is your plan, the St Davids Peninsula is the right destination. Water sports of all sorts are on offer - try Preseli Venture, Unsunghero or the original Activity Centre in St Davids, Twr y Felin. Going south there is Newsurf at Newgale or Haven Water Sports in Broad Haven. Learn to surf, climb, windsurf, canoe or coasteer – there are well qualified instructors for all levels of proficiency. Nolton Haven Beach Riding The image of riding through the surf must be one of the most romantic and evocative. At Nolton Riding Stables it is their daily specialty. The horses are well-behaved and you will be offered a ride to match your taste and ability. Picton Castle Set in 40 acres of magnificent woodland and with walled gardens, water features, huge willow sculptures and a children’s activity trail. There are guided tours and special events, family fun days and outdoor theatre, garden tours and musical evenings. Or you can just enjoy the surroundings while you browse the gift shop or take a delicious lunch in the castle’s splendid café. Family days outAway from the appeal of the coastline, Pembrokeshire is well-supplied with holiday attractions to appeal to the family. Oakwood Theme Park, Bluestone, Folly Farm, Ann Ryder Richardson’s Manor Wildlfe Park and Scolton Manor Museum are but a few. There is plenty to choose from to suit interests of all sorts. Retreat to the picturesque coastal village of Solva on St Davids Peninsula in north Pembrokeshire for family and dog friendly fulfilling holidays at any time of the year.

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