Ty’r Pwmp – things to do
Some ideas for your stay
Arrival Day: Arriving after 4 pm and settling in, take a stroll down to the coast at Porth-y-Rhaw and up onto the cliffs. Come back to the cottage for an evening meal: groceries may be bought from CK/Nisa shop in St Davids (2 miles, open 7 days a week until late). If you like Indian meals, then an authentic meal can be picked up from Saffrons in St Davids. In Solva the Royal George specialises in Chinese meals, Harbour Inn does good pub food and the Cambrian Inn does more upmarket meals. see www.stdavidsinfo.org.uk for more ideas.
Day suggestion 1: After a leisurely breakfast and a packed lunch made up, take the path from the cottage along the coast to St Davids, passing the cove of Caer Bwdy from where the purple sandstone was hewn to build the St Davids Cathedral. Caerfai beach is reached around the next headland. (1 hour or longer).
At Caerfai, the energetic may wish to continue along the coastal path on to St Nons where the chapel and wishing well are found and then Porthclais Harbour, before turning in to St Davids.
Otherwise take the country lane into St Davids (15 minutes) which will lead you straight to Oriel y Parc Visitor Centre where there is also a world class Gallery and a cafe.
From here you can stroll down the High Street of St Davids with the shops, cafes and restaurants on either side and then passing the Cross Square, walk through the Bell Tower and down the steps to the Cathedral. Beyond the Cathedral are the Bishops Palace ruins. Goat Street off the Cross Square is becoming quite an ‘arty’ street with a glass designer and pottery.
May be along the way you’ve found the preferred place for an evening meal or bought some organic cheese from Caerfai farm. If you miss the last bus (service 411) at 6pm or it is a Sunday, a taxi will cost about £8 back to the cottage. On other days local buses are an excellent way to get to the starting point along the coast and walk back to your car.
Day suggestion 2: So how are you feeling after all that fresh air from the day before? Take it easy or going for more?
The mile long beach at Newgale – Going for more: take the bus (departs 5 minutes to the hour) from the bus stop next to the cottage to Newgale (5 miles away).
Here you may want to have another drink and an amble on the beach picking up a few sea shells. May be wait for half an hour until the tide allows you to take the short cut along the beach, north to Penycwm.
Otherwise the coast path back to the cottage starts with a steep climb, albeit with excellent views back over Newgale beach.
The walk along the coast path to Solva passes a few secluded coves and beaches and will take anything from 3 hours.
Should anything go wrong along the way, you will always have the opportunity to take the next inland path to the main road and catch the hourly bus service (except Sunday) back to the cottage.
On arriving in Solva, you will more than likely wish to take a rest and have a picnic or try the Cambrian Inn, The Ship, Harbour Inn, The Royal George or one of the several cafes or restaurants. The cottage is a further 40 minutes walk along the coast. Back at the cottage you will really appreciate the power showers!
Taking it easy: After a relaxing morning in the cottage, head out along the coast to Solva for the afternoon. Explore the Gribin and the Gwadn beach on the other side of Solva harbour.
In the evening dig out your book or put one of the DVD’s from the selection into the player, sit back and watch. Or if you prefer, listen to some of the various music CD’s. Relax.
Day suggestions – pursuing your interests further:
– Walk – during the winter, if it’s a Monday, Thursday or Saturday, or daily in the summer, park your car at Porthgain and take the coastal service bus ‘Strumble shuttle’ to Llanrhian. Walk down to Aberieddy and walk along the stretch of coast passing the Blue Lagoon where the Red Bull Cliff Diving World Series 2012 & 2013 took place. Continue on to the old industrial harbour of Porthgain where the convenient Sloop Inn will provide a warm welcome. (about a 2 hour walk)
or drive to Whitesands (4 miles) and walk out to St Davids Head, then climb up to Carn Llidi (181m) to marvel the view over the St Davids Peninsula and out towards Ramsey Island before returning back to Whitesands.
or a circular walk from St Davids to Porthclais and back again.
– Visit one of the many local craft outlets: the glass designer in St Davids, the woolen mill at Middle Mill (near Solva), the pottery in Solva or at Caer Farchell (near Solva) or the many galleries in the area.
– Exlore Ramsey Island RSPB nature reserve (4 miles away) either by landing during the summer months or from the sea from a power boat – either Aquaphobia, Thousand Island Expeditions, Voyages of Discovery or Venture jet (seasonal).
– Adventure Activities with TYF , Ma Simes , Man-Up Adventure (all based in St Davids) or Celtic Quest (from Abereiddy): Coasteering, Kayaking, Rock Climbing or Surfing.
– Surfing be it body, boogie or glassfibre board, most people wave surf wearing a wet suit which can be hired these days. We are happy to lend out one or two boogie boards (foam boards) at your own risk.
– Fishing Either cast your rod from the rocks or take an organised fishing boat out to catch mackrel for your evening meal.
– Boating Tow your boat along and park it by the cottage or blow your inflatable one up. Have fun on the sea.
– Horse or Pony bring yours along – we would be happy to provide a safe pasture (small charge).
– Relax in the cottage – read your favourite book. If it’s winter, light the wood burner.
– Dine in and use the guest recipe book to try something new. Or why not add your favourite recipe?
– Nature be it sea birds, seals, porpoises or coastal plants; along the coast you will make many discoveries. Spring flowers bring the cliffs ablaze with colour during May and June. During Autumn you may come across a stranded baby seal. If a winters storm is brewing up, you will feel the exceptional force of the wind on the coast along with the crashing waves on the shoreline – quite an experience! Don’t worry, the cottage is well heated and quite sheltered.
The Night Sky: if it’s a clear night, take a look up (even from your bed) and marvel the star formations and their intensity (as there is little artificial light coming from earth).
– Day outings:
– North Pembrokeshire – to Fishguard, The Gwaun Valley and Bessies pub, Pentre Ifan Burial Stones, Castell Henllys Fort (near Eglwyswrw) and the Preseli Hills;
– Mid Pembrokeshire – to Haverfordwest, Scolton Manor, Picton Castle, Narberth market town, Llys-y-Fran Reservoir, Penrhos Cottage Museum, and the Preseli Hills;
– South Pembrokeshire – taking the coast road from Newgale via Broad Haven, and then selecting from: Marloes, Milford Haven, Pembroke Castle, Bosherston Lily Ponds, St Govans Chapel, Manobier Castle, Tenby, Saundersfoot, Narberth.
– Pop over to Ireland – daily sailings (3.5 hours) from Fishguard (15 miles) to Rosslare.
Some usefull links: (open in new tab)
St. David’s Cathedral
Local information
Oriel y Parc Visitor Centre & Gallery
Local Bus Services (bus stop at cottage):
Time table 411 (Haverfordwest <-> St Davids) .pdf format
Time table 411 (St Davids <-> Haverfordwest) .pdf format
time table 413 (St Davids <-> Fishguard) .pdf format
Coastal Bus time table (Celtic Coaster, Puffin Shuttle, Strumble Shuttle)
Ramsey Island RSPB Nature Reserve
Boat Cruises onto and around Ramsey Island
Stena Line fast ferry (Fishguard – Rosslare)
Railway time table (nearest station: Haverfordwest)
Pembrokeshire Coast National Park
Friends of the Graham Sutherland Collection
Pembrokeshire Craft Makers
Performing Arts Festival St. Davids (4th week July & weeks 1 – 2 August each year)