Population 865 (2011 census) Sovereign state United Kingdom Local time Sunday 10:46 AM | OS grid reference SM802243 Country Wales Postcode district SA62 Dialling code 01437 Post town Haverfordwest | |
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Weather 13°C, Wind E at 18 km/h, 55% Humidity | ||
Solva (Welsh: Solfach) is a village and community in Pembrokeshire, Wales, comprising principally Lower Solva and Upper Solva.
Contents
- Map of Solva Haverfordwest UK
- Location
- History
- Geology
- Governance
- Traditional events
- Amenities and attractions
- Notable people
- TV Film
- References
Map of Solva, Haverfordwest, UK
Location
Solva lies on the north side of St Bride's Bay, in North Pembrokeshire in the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park and on the Pembrokeshire Coast Path. It lies on a deep valley at the mouth of the River Solva. In the valley is Lower Solva, consisting of a long street ending at the small harbour. Most of the modern development has been in Upper Solva, on the cliff top to the west of the harbour.
History
The village church honors Saint Aidan and is part of the parish of Whitchurch.
The rocks at the entrance to Solva Harbour made it one of the most sheltered anchorages between Fishguard and Milford Haven. Solva became the main trading centre of St Bride's Bay in the medieval period, and was important for lime burning. Several lime kilns are preserved in the harbour area. In the 19th century, Solva had around 30 registered trading ships. The fading coastal trade has been replaced by tourism, and the harbour is now a popular boating centre.
The village was the location for Wales' first butterfly farm, Solva Nectarium, which opened in 1979.
Geology
Solva Harbour is a good example of a flooded valley known as a ria. Local rocks contain fossils from the Cambrian period. and the village gives its name to this rock sequence.
Governance
An electoral ward of the same name exists. This ward extends to Brawdy and in fact some of the community was transferred there. The total population of the ward at the 2011 census was 1,877.
Traditional events
Every year on Easter Monday Solva hosts a Duck Race for charity. The ducks are released into the River Solva near Middle Mill and float down stream to Solva harbour. The winner is the first to cross under the footbridge in lower Solva car park.
Each summer, Solva hosts a Regatta which features rowing for adults and children.
Amenities and attractions
The spectacular local cliff coast is popular with walkers, and the classic cliff exposures of Cambrian rocks attract amateur and professional geologists.
Solva Woollen Mill, located at the nearby village of Middle Mill, claims to be the oldest continuously working woollen mill in Pembrokeshire. Today the mill mostly manufactures carpets and rugs. There is a tearoom and a shop, and visitors are able to see the looms at work.
Notable people
TV & Film
In June 2014 Solva was used as a location for the filming of Dylan Thomas's Under Milkwood.