A short visitor's guide to Solva, Pembrokeshire: things to do, places to eat and drink, and what's on through the year.
Solva (Welsh: Solfach) is a village in Pembrokeshire, Wales, situated within the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park. The village divides into Lower Solva, clustered around the harbour and tidal inlet, and Upper Solva on the hillside above. The community also includes Middle Mill and Whitchurch.
The harbour setting is the defining feature of Lower Solva: a narrow, sheltered inlet with colourful boats, a quay, and a view that changes character with the tide. The village is close to St Davids, around five miles to the west, and the Pembrokeshire Coast Path runs directly through, making it a natural stop for walkers.
The landscape and coast are the main draw in Solva, but the village has one notable heritage landmark worth seeking out.
Solva Lime Kilns on the Pembrokeshire Coast Path at the seaward edge of Lower Solva are a well-preserved group of 19th-century lime kilns, once used to burn limestone brought in by sea. They sit on the coast path and provide a good focus for a short walk from the harbour.
Solva has a small but notable cluster of art galleries and studios on Main Street, making it worth a browse even on a wet afternoon.
Raul Speek Gallery in The Old Chapel is an art and photography gallery showing original works, prints and offering workshops. Heather Bennett Photography on Main Street is a combined gallery and art shop with original prints, cards and books. The Little Gallery by Warren Heaton at 21 Main Street is a working studio gallery with original work for sale.
Solva has two pubs on its main street, both with harbour-adjacent character and a loyal local following.
Harbour Inn at 31 Main Street is right on the coast path and overlooks the harbour, with a patio perfect for watching the boats, award-winning cask ale and a menu of pub classics. The inn explicitly welcomes dog-friendly visitors. The Ship Solva at 15 Main Street is the adults-only alternative, with rooms, a restaurant and a riverside beer garden.
The Hats and Barrels on Main Street is a traditional pub-restaurant in the heart of the village, within the Pembrokeshire Coastal National Park and well-regarded for its food. Something Fishy on the edge of the village is a seafood restaurant with a focused menu and a good reputation among regular visitors.
Solva punches well above its weight on cafes, with three distinct options along Main Street and the quay.
Thirty-Five Mainstreet at 35 Main Street is the village's main licensed cafe, open through the day and evenings as a restaurant; it sits just off the coast path and is consistently well-reviewed. Cafe on the Quay at Trinity Quay overlooks the harbour and is the obvious choice for a coffee with a view, serving light lunches, cakes and ice cream. Print House Cafe at 20 Main Street is the specialty coffee option, with carefully crafted coffee, fresh pastries and sandwiches in a warm atmosphere.