A picturesque coastal village in Pembrokeshire has been named the best in Wales for a “winter getaway”. Solva, on the south side of St Davids Peninsula, has been described as a “hidden treasure” by National Rail. The company has made a list of the “prettiest” winter villages across the UK, and Solva came out on top in Wales thanks to its “standout attractions and experiences” from the iconic woollen mill to the walking trails.
Solva is best known for its harbour, but there are also a range of restaurants, pubs, and shops for visitors to explore. At high tide, the beach at Solva Harbour is a narrow strip at the head of the inlet, but at low tide the harbour is completely dry.
However, a stream runs down the middle which provides “hours of entertainment catching fish, shrimps, and crabs”, according to Visit Pembrokeshire.
For daredevils, a popular activity includes jumping off the edge of the Solva harbour wall into the sea. Meanwhile, visitors can join the coast path and walk along Y Gribin for breathtaking views, and take a trip to Gwadn Beach, which is around the headland from Solva.
If you are interested in history, the Solva Woollen Mill is a great place to explore. In 1900, there were 26 woollen mills in Pembrokeshire, but now there are only two working mills left in the county, and Solva’s is the oldest. Visitors can watch the looms work and browse the selection of rugs and Welsh textiles.
Discussing the village, one visitor wrote on TripAdvisor: “Possibly one of the prettiest places on earth! Come an hour before high tide and bring your crab bucket and wetsuit!” Another described the village as “heaven on earth”, adding: “It’s so beautiful. Visited at high and low tide and both stunning in different ways.”
A third said: “Lovely area with stunning scenery and a lovely little beach area. A couple of pubs to visit and some shops down the main street.” Someone else posted: “I love Solva. It has a real charm to it. The places available to eat are good and it’s just lovely to sit with a coffee and relax. It’s a pleasant walk on the beach to the sea.”
The other Welsh destinations on the list of “prettiest villages for a cosy winter getaway” include Beddgelert in Snowdonia and Tintern in Wye Valley. Beddgelert is described by National Rail as “a quiet, quaint village that feels like it belongs to a bygone era”, while Tintern is dubbed “serene and rural”.