Book a stay at Llanunwas, Solva Holiday Cottages
Stay in a cottage or apartment just a short walk from the lively coastal village
Concealed from the road by a tranquil woodland, the Llanunwas holiday cottages stand on a small country estate set amongst some two or three acres of shared grounds on the outskirts of Upper Solva. Dating back 400 years, the manor house has been split into a collection of wonderfully renovated apartments alongside two fully refurbished stone cottages.
Follow the woodland driveway from the main route between Newgale and St Davids to reach Llanunwas, where you’ll be greeted with a large open space surrounding the imposing old estate house. The secluded setting here offers a serene retreat always and guarantees a peaceful hideaway within close proximity to the bustling village at Lower Solva below.
Solva Harbour
Take advantage of the well-kept shared lawns and let the children play wild, plan an alfresco picnic under the sunshine or pack a couple of folding chairs and a blanket to enjoy peaceful evenings under the stars. The rurality of the location here awards breathtaking views of the dark skies.
Speaking of adventures, the location at Llanunwas is perfectly placed for any number of activities and explorations. Saunter down the hill into the Lower Solva to the bustling harbour for pub lunches, gift shopping and to browse the art gallery. Slip off your shoes and walk along the sand at low tide to discover a somewhat hidden beach just around the headland or don your walking boots for a trek on the Coast Path.
Regular ramblers visiting the area like to follow the scenic pathway towards St Davids, passing through the likes of Caerbwdi Bay, Caerfai Beach, St Nons Chapel (birthplace of Saint David) and Porthclais Harbour. Those planning a full day’s walk might want to venture south through Solva and towards Newgale where you’ll be met with magnificent views over St Brides Bay. You can even jump aboard the standard service bus to reach St Davids and Haverfordwest, or the Puffin Shuttle which runs through Solva to tour the whole western stretch of Pembrokeshire.
The UK’s smallest city, St Davids, is just a few minutes' drive away and is a must for anyone holidaying in the area. Make your way down into the valley to sightsee St Davids Cathedral where you’ll find a shrine to Dewi Sant and St Davids Bishops Palace, now a fantastic CADW monument.
The quaint city is sprinkled with popular country pubs and quality restaurants, independent art galleries and convenience stores, excellent boutique gift shops and more. Pick up fresh fruit from The Veg Patch, visit the deli at St Davids Food & Wine then browse second-hand books at St Davids Bookshop before popping into Basalt & Dune next door for eco-friendly homewares and unique gifts.
St Davids Cathedral
Pass through the city and continue to the coast to reach St Justinians where you’ll find two iconic RNLI lifeboat stations, one old and one new. This spot marks the departure point for a plethora of boat trips operating from the area; the bestseller being the Land on Ramsey Island trip which allows you to explore the island on foot at your leisure. You’ll have the chance to spot endangered birds such as chough along with razorbills and guillemots, Welsh ponies and sheep too. During August/September, you’ll find the beaches and inlets of the island dotted with Atlantic grey seals and their seal pups.
Of course, no coastal break is complete without at least an hour or two of watersports. But which to try? All of them of course! Most of the beaches nearby are ideal for watersports with long west-facing stretches of sandy shoreline resulting in great conditions for beginners. At Whitesands, Newgale and Broad Haven you’ll even find equipment hire centres where you can hire wetsuits and surfboards to head off on your own adventures.
If you’re a newcomer to such aquatic activities, our Concierge team can arrange tuition for you from a nearby centre in St Davids. Learn techniques that will have you standing up on your surfboard, top tips for sea kayaking and try the art of coasteering where you’ll be scrambling across cliffs and leaping into the sea before swimming to the shore to repeat the process - certainly a thrilling way to explore Pembrokeshire!
You can also go horse riding along the beach at Nolton, tick “visit the Blue Lagoon” at Abereiddy off your bucket list and walk to the top of Carn Llidi for summit views over Whitesands Beach and the surrounding St Davids peninsula.
St Justinians
Follow the trail from the communal car park through to the central courtyard where you will find Wood Cottage on your right-hand side. This two-storey holiday home sleeps up to 4 people in two bedrooms. Tucked behind the adjacent house, Wood Cottage is a contemporary residence with a wonderful crog-loft master bedroom.
The wood store at Wood Cottage makes this one ideal for adventurous small families, as guests are welcome to store bikes, surfboards, wetsuits and similar larger luggage items here during your stay.
Wood Cottage
Alongside Wood Cottage, you’ll find Picture Cottage. A detached one-level stone cottage, this was once one of the outbuildings here at Llanunwas. Tucked away behind the main house, this quaint property has been renovated to a high standard with a contemporary style throughout.
The spacious open-plan livinzg space boasts a vaulted ceiling and a high-spec fitted kitchen with a comfortable corner sofa centred around the wood-burning stove. In the sole bedroom, you’ll find a kingsize bed - a welcome sight after exhausting adventures exploring the coastline. Take a seat on the bistro table and seats outside for a spot of relaxation under the sun.
Picture Cottage
Directly opposite these two holiday homes lies the old estate house, now split into various apartments available to let. 2 Coastal View lies on the ground floor and is a luxurious 5* apartment suitable for two people. This holiday property is spacious and contemporary throughout with tiled and wooden floors, large leather sofas and a kingsize bed. The open plan living space and the main bedroom both boast lovely views across the grounds towards St Brides Bay for you to enjoy all day long.
2 Coastal View
You’ll find Grassholm View on the first floor with fantastic views over the surrounding communal grounds and out across St Brides Bay which hugs the entire western Pembrokeshire coastline. High ceilings and sash windows create a light and airy atmosphere throughout this spacious 5* apartment, which is furnished high quality, contemporary furniture. Plus, additional storage is available in a shed on site.
Grassholm View
Skokholm View is a fantastic 5-star penthouse apartment, decorated with warm rich tones throughout. Accommodating two people, this high-quality holiday home consists of a spacious open-plan living area with sea views from the lounge and a kitchen/dining area that looks out onto the estate’s woodland.
Skokholm View
Last but not least is Ramsey View, a delightful duplex welcoming up to 6 people in 3 bedrooms. As you enter this property, you’re met with a large entrance hall ideal for extra storage - keep your surfboard and walking boots here for quick getaways to the beach or Coast Path. Both the open plan living space and the master bedroom enjoy dual aspect views across the Welsh coast whilst the entire property offers an inviting welcome time after time.
Ramsey View
Whichever of the properties at Llanunwas you choose to stay in, you’re guaranteed to have a memorable stay with each making a comfortable base to return to after the day’s adventures.
Coastal Cottages Solva Holiday Cottages
Located in the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park, Solva is one of the prettiest villages in Wales, with traditional fishermen's cottages clustered along the harbour. Solva is home to many gift shops, restaurants, galleries and cafés – and, of course, our excellent range of Solva holiday cottages.
