The picturesque village of Solva is situated in the beautiful county of Pembrokeshire, South-West Wales, between the City of St David's to the west and Newgale Sands to the south east. Separated into two parts, Upper Solva and Lower Solva, the village has plenty to offer for all the family. Lying upon a deep ravine on the estuary of the River Solva, the village offers glorious views over the north coast of St Bride's Bay. Children will love Solva ....whether fishing for crabs from the harbour wall at high tide or rock-pooling or paddling on the beach at low tide, there is plenty of fun to be had at Solva.

For the more adventurous why not take a boat trip from the picturesque fjord-like harbour to have a close up view of the beautiful cliffs and wildlife around the islands of Solva. Watch first-hand the lifting of a lobster pot and discover what it contains in the way of local marine life.

Village Centre

Solva has many amenities suited to visitors. With many traditional shops which are enjoyable to browse through, as well as a post office, grocer’s and off licence for any necessities.

Lower Solva can be found on the opposite side of the narrow river valley at the end of the Solva Harbour and attracts many visitors for its fine selection of restaurants and its the two art galleries. Firstly the Raul Speek Gallery on Main Street houses many fabulous paintings, photography and jewellery, as well as a gift shop including small gifts and cards. There are also regular art classes and materials on sale within the gallery. The Swinfield Gallery, again situated on Main Street, displays artist Simon Swinfield’s brilliant collection of watercolours, often of the beautiful Pembrokeshire countryside and coast. Original and limited edition watercolour prints are also available to buy.

 Another interesting attraction of Lower Solva is the Solva Pottery, which displays and sells collectables and antiques. The Pottery is welcome to all, but visitors are advised to phone first to confirm that someone is available on the premises.

If homegrown, fresh produce is what you’re after, Spring Meadow Farm and Nursery is within easy access to Solva, near to Caerfarchell. A 13 acre market garden, fresh fruit, vegetables and seasonal salads are all available to buy. There are also spring bedding plants, clematis and herbaceous perennials available if you fancy a plant as a souvenir on your travels!

For a bite to eat, there are plenty of restaurants, pubs and cafes dotted about the village and the Solva Harbour that will whet your appetite. The Old Pharmacy serves local lobster and crab, and vegetarian options are also available. If you fancy dining whilst enjoying the beautiful views of St Bride Bay, why not try Trinity Quay, situated along the harbour? Serving homemade cakes, ice cream and hot and cold drinks, Trinity Quay is the perfect place to dine during the summer months.

Attractions

Set in the scenic Prembrokeshire National Coastal Park, Solva is an excellent choice for those who enjoy walking and sailing. The 30 square miles of St Bride’s Bay is often clear, enticing those who enjoy aquatics to take advantage of the amount of water on offer!

Established in 1986, the Solva Sailing school offers a wide range of sailing trips around the bay, an ideal opportunity to see all kinds of wildlife in their natural habitat. Activities include boatbuilding, as well as hiring a ‘skiffle’ boat, ideal for use on the sea or on rivers. If the ‘skiffle’ does not entice you, the ‘wheelipunt’, the traditional harbour dinghy, may take more of your fancy. Solva runs a Regatta every summer, which gives both adult and children the opportunity to learn to row and also to participate in raft building. This is definitely one for the whole family.

Diving and kayaking are hugely popular within the village. There is a small fee charged for using the slipways down to the beach and a small fee must be paid to the Solva Boat Owners if boats are being launched from either Trinity or Sand Quay.
     
Still keeping with the aquatics, Solva also holds an annual Easter Monday Duck Race, where ducks are released into the river at Middle Mill and swim downstream towards the finish line near Solva Harbour, the winner being the first duck to cross under the footbridge at Lower Solva car park. You can pay just £1
 to buy a 20th share in a duck, with proceeds going to charity. The Duck Race is usually a fun event and will definitely entertain the kids!

For more historical visits, Solva’s Woollen Mill, just a mile from the Solva village centre, provides fascinating insight into Pembrokeshire’s place within the industrial revolution. The Woollen Mill, more commonly known as Middle Mill, was moved from its original location in St David’s to its present location in Solva in 1907, and now remains as one of the only two mills left in Pembrokeshire today. As a woollen mill, it is reported that in 1929 the then Prime Minister of Britain, J. Ramsey MacDonald, had a suit woven from the Middle Mill tweed. However, Gordon Brown would find it difficult doing the same, as today the mill has moved on to manufacture carpets and rugs.
      Part of the mill has been converted into a comfortable tea room, where the overhead line shafts and drive wheel can still be seen, providing a fascinating place for those with a taste for history to visit. The old engine shed and weaving shed have also been converted into a small shop where gifts and cards are available to buy.