Impressive Welsh coast perfect for a screen-free family holiday – with adventure parks, famous 90p cakes & alpaca walks
WE’RE on the edge of a ridge and guide Ollie is asking if we want to jump now or move to a lower spot.
“I’m doing it,” says my 13 year old Freya, without hesitation.
So I guess I am, too. “Look straight ahead,” he tells us.
“Cross your arms and step out.” I’m focusing on the horizon as I splash into the sea, feeling euphoric for doing something out of my comfort zone.
Coasteering is the way to take in the rugged Pembrokeshire coastline – we spend the afternoon climbing and jumping, and scrambling through a tunnel to spot a sea anemone, and even get to sample sea lettuce from the rock pools.
Half-day adventures cost from £45 per person (Preseliventure.co.uk).
PROBLEM SOLVA’D
By the time we peel off our wetsuits, we’re grateful for the hot tub at Blueberry Cottage.
The traditional stone holiday home is nestled in the hills above Solva village’s pretty harbour, with views across the estuary from the bedrooms.
Wooden beams and quilted bedspreads make it story-book sweet, while the master bedroom has French doors on to the garden, and we only need take a few steps down the lane to join The Pembrokeshire Coast Path for epic vistas.
The next day, Solva’s harbour wall is great for crabbing at high tide, but when the sea is out we cross a bridge passing lime kilns, once used for heating limestone, and seven-year-old Nate and two-year-old Dylan climb in to explore.
From here, it’s a short uphill walk to the stunning Gribin headland.
Solva’s small high street is full of colour.
Cosy MamGu Welshcakes coffee shop has twinkly fairy lights and you can pick up six local bakes for £5 (Mamguwelshcakes.com), while there’s bright artwork on display at Raul Speek Gallery (Raulspeek.co.uk) and three floors of gifts and interiors at Window On Wales (Windowonwales.com).
Back in the harbour, 35 Main Street offers locally sourced seafood – I tuck into beer-battered fish and chips, £15.95, with mini versions for the kids, £8.95, while husband Marko slurps up the moules marinière, fries and warm ciabatta, £17.95 (35mainstreet.co.uk).
ALPACA YOUR BAGS
Llys-y-Frân Lake, a half-hour drive away, offers adventure against an amazing natural backdrop.
Freya and Nate jump into Crazi Bugz – six-wheeled, electric off-road buggies – before canoeing, axe-throwing and archery.
Canoeing costs £15 per hour for two, and axe-throwing, archery and the buggies cost £16 per person (Llys-y-fran.co.uk).
Lunch at Lakeview cafe offers fine fuel for the day, with picnic boxes, £5.95, and Dirty Yorkies – roast dinners in giant Yorkshire puds, £9.95.
Another crowd-pleaser is Sweet Home Alpaca, 15 minutes from Solva, where we walk alpacas as owner Angela teaches us about the animals.
Feeding them, along with some playful pygmy goats, has the whole family laughing.
Walks costs £40 for two people with one alpaca (Sweethomealpaca.com).
There’s just enough time to set the kids free on Newgale Beach – the vast space has the boys caterwauling across the sand, before Freya hands me her phone and takes off after them.
Holiday mission: accomplished.
BTW
A week’s stay at Blueberry Cottage costs from £625 for up to six people.
Pre-order a breakfast hamper, £25 for four, via Coastal Cottages’ concierge service (Coastalcottages.co.uk).
Plan your trip at Visitpembrokeshire.com.