Out & About

Beaches

These are a selection of the many beautiful harbours and beaches in Pembrokeshire.  The character of each changes with the weather and tide, so it's worth reading the details that follow and in our Welcome Pack:

Solva (3 mins)            Back to map
Solva is a particularly beautiful sheltered harbour which retains a traditional charm and several working boats.  Numerous paths wind up from the Harbour House car park and from the boathouse to give panoramic views of the harbour itself and across St. Brides bay.  Fortunately, there are also several strategically placed benches to rest and enjoy the views!  High tide sees boats entering and leaving the harbour - all very sedate of course, and children canoeing, quay jumping and crabbing by the boat house.  At low tide, the entire harbour can be walked and a further 'secret beach' accessed.  A sand shelf also creates a warm, shallow area of water perfect for younger children at this time.

It's best to park outside the Harbour House (free).  The whole of Lower Solva is accessible from here, including a number of excellent gift shops, galleries and restaurants. 

Newgale (9 mins)        Back to map
Literally miles of sand and one of the main water-sports beaches in Pembrokeshire.  Blue Flag award for cleanliness (although all the beaches are spotless).  Park at the west end for surf board and canoe rental, the middle car park for the ice cream van and the east end for acres of more secluded beach.  Lifeguards patrol the mid section of the beach at peak times.  Dogs can be walked at the western end.

Watching the sunset at Newgale whilst bobbing in the water waiting for a wave is just one of those amazing feelings...

Whitesands (9 mins)     Back to map
Another big beach for messing around in the sand and waves.  Whitesands also has good rock-pooling and climbing for children.  Big car park, cafe, lifeguards in peak seasons, surfboard rental.  Like Newgale, the sand is often completely covered at high tide, but over 100 yards wide at low tide.  Dogs are not allowed from May to September.

Carfai (10 mins)            Back to map
Caerfai is the beach at St. Davids and is well sheltered by the surrounding cliffs.  This means that the smallish car park has the best views of any in Pembrokeshire and that a shortish path down the cliff has to be negotiated.

As the tide goes out, both 'beaches' are revealed, together with numerous caves eroded from the peculiarly purple sandstone.  Carfai is a good mix of sandy beach with places to climb and explore.

Broadhaven (20 mins)    Back to map
A large sandy beach with rock pools to spend an entire day at.  Whilst the surf may not be as 'big' as at Newgale and Whitesands, it's well worth renting a canoe or board from the excellent surf shop, especially for beginners.  Nautilus is worth a visit for restaurant dining, there's a pub, a good fish-and-chip shop and other shops for general seaside provisions.

There is a reasonably sized car park (free) just across the way to the pub.  It's also worth going to Broadhaven to drive past the 'Telly Tubby' house at Druidstone.

A further 5 minutes by car lies Littlehaven, compact, picturesque and with good eating.

Porthgain (15 mins)        Back to map
Home of the Sloop pub, the Shed bistro and several small galleries.  A lovely walk around the small harbour and along the Coastal Path.  Very picturesque.

Abereiddy (15 mins)        Back to map
A must see spot.  Large unmade parking area for the main beach (pebbles), but this is not really why people visit here (as lovely as it is).  A 5 minute walk onwards along the Coastal Path brings you to the Blue Lagoon.  Formed from the remains of a slate quarry, the water literally is a deep turquoise colour.  Climb some rocks, skim some stones, or just close your eyes and listen to the sound of the sea rippling through the narrow channel into the lagoon.

Finish up with an ice cream back on the beach and perhaps a visit to the gallery in Trefin, just down the coast.

Eating Out

The Cambrian Inn, Lower Solva          Pub with restaurant well placed in Lower Solva.

The George, Upper Solva                  Child friendly, well-priced.  Real chips!  And now also has a chinese menu with separate restaurant upstairs.

The Old Pharmacy, Lower Solva

Fine cuisine and service set in the heart of Solva.  Lovely atmosphere and also good for families with children.

The Shed, Porthgain
A characterful bistro on the waterfront in Porthgain harbour.  Throughout the day home-made cakes, fresh coffee, cappuccino, latte, special 'Shed' Hot Toddies, hot chocolate, ice creams etc, are served.  Light lunches & sandwiches, including local crab sandwiches. Evening meals in a relaxed atmosphere - the creme brulee is particularly good.

The Sloop Inn, Porthgain
Popular pub in Porthgain - also a good spot for Sunday breakfast.

Day Trips

• Pembroke Castle
• Castell Henllys
• Oakwood
• Folly Farm
• Boat trips

Take a look at www.solvalife.net