” There is so much to do in the area. We would love to come back again”.
Those of you who are new to Pembrokeshire will discover that it is one of Britain’s best kept secrets. With all the charm and beauty of Cornwall, Pembrokeshire enjoys the benefit of fewer visitors and very little commercialisation. Additionally, it offers the attraction of a local Welsh culture with its own living Celtic language – often heard in the area.
I’m sure you’ll find the Visit Pembrokeshire website helpful in planning your trip.
The Pembrokeshire Coast National Park possesses many hundreds of miles of marked footpaths, the most famous of which is the Pembrokeshire Coastal Path. 187 miles of stunning scenery, most of which is within easy reach of Roch Mill and our Granary self-catering holiday cottage.
See happyhiker for some free, simple to follow directions for various walking routes, including GPS downloads.
Other local attractions include countless galleries, several water mills (woollen and corn), a number of museums and exhibitions, and many super pubs and restaurants.
Just a couple of miles from the Granary you’ll find Hilton Court with its superb nursery, gardens, gallery, pottery, cafe and restaurant.
One of the most popular attractions in Pembrokeshire is Skomer Island. Not only is it richly endowed with outstanding physical features it is most famous for its spectacular birdlife. If you visit Roch Mill between May and July be sure to take a boat trip over to see the puffins, a BBC Springwatch favourite.
These splendid, comical birds are not at all shy and you can get very close to their burrows. Yes, they breed underground, which is why they are not found on the mainland where rats can get at them. You can take a boat on most days (not usually Mondays) from Martin’s Haven but visitor numbers are restricted, so best to get there early, very early. For further information call Dale Sailing on 01646 603 110.
The area is ancient in geological terms being mostly Carboniferous and older, with chunks of St Davids peninsula being over 1 billion years old.
There are many sites of special geological interest. Fantastic natural features abound: rock bridges and arches, caves, volcanic pinnacles, ancient quarries and mine workings, one or more lime kilns adorn practically every beach. Sandy coves, rock pools, twisted and faulted rock abound all along the coast.
Solva harbour is one of our favourite places to visit. Ideal for a short stroll along the harbour wall and easily accessible for wheel chair users. As the tide comes in the old life-boat station is a favourite spot for youngsters to swim or go crabbing. Solva is also full of good pubs and restaurants! For those who like a physical challenge the Pembrokeshire coast off offers plenty of opportunities. Here are a few examples:
For general surf conditions see Surf-forecast.com.
In August 2012 Abereiddy hosted the Red Bull diving challenge, the first time it’s been held in UK.
The event was very successful and the setting so spectacular that they are thinking of returning next year.
Prendergast woods, Solva
This beautiful woodland is easy to miss because it hides upstream at the east end of Solva village, away from the stunning harbour and coastal scenery. But it’s only 200 yards back from the car park at Solva harbour. From here, cross the river by the Cafe (No. 35) and walk up the valley to the road bridge where you’ll find Prendergast wood straight in front of you.
Mostly composed of silver birch and oak trees Prendergast wood hugs the valley floor for about 300 yards alongside the river Solva. One long straight woodland path runs at an angle to intercept the river and is almost certainly a former leat. Solva water mill by the bridge once derived its motive power from river water channeled down this leat. It must have taken a good deal of effort to build as it is contained in places between high banks that are today heavily encrusted with ferns and wildflowers. It is a magical place and quite stunning in the springtime when bluebells, campion and wood anemonies carpet the forest floor.
Ancient history
Pembrokeshire is rich in sites of neolithic age. Many stone circles and impressive tumuli abound. Perhaps the most impressive is Pentre Ifan just north of Newport. It stands proudly on sloping ground overlooking the wide expanse of Newport Bay and the dominant peak of Carn Ingli (Angel Mountain).
Just a few miles up the coast is a reconstructed Iron-age village. Step back in time at Castell Henllys, a unique Iron Age hill fort recreated with fantastic replica Iron Age roundhouses, built right on top of the excavated remains of an existing hill fort, dating back 2,400 years.