The Woodland Retreat: a tree-sheltered haven in coastal Pembrokeshire

The Woodland Retreat is not your usual holiday location.  Those guests who frequent Pembrokeshire’s bustling coastline will know that Pembrokeshire’s not known for its vast swathes of woodland (although we have a couple of beautiful forests dotted around), especially not close to the sea.  Pembrokeshire’s wild coast, worn and rugged from the persistent force of the Irish Sea, is not an entirely hospitable environment for trees, which means they generally collect in wooded valleys and glades away from the salty wind.

In such a location, tucked inland from the better-known St Davids Peninsula and St Bride’s Bay, is The Woodland Retreat, sitting amidst 12 acres of beautiful, indigenous, mature greenwood, cloaked in leaves and dappled sunlight, a few miles into the glacial wooded valley that meanders towards the harbour village of Solva.

The cottage itself was the laundry to a manor house, therefore is packed full of traditional touches while also being furnished and equipped in a modern and contemporary style.  You’ll get the sense of being wrapped in Welsh history when staying in this charming historic building while never losing WiFi.  The décor complements the life story of this intriguing building; traditional Welsh blankets sit atop the comfortable new mattress in the double bedroom, the woollen rugs hail from the woollen mill which sits at the base of this very valley.  The modern has been cleverly and conveniently slipped in, too – the wood-burning stove is lovely for post-walk evenings in, but the underfloor heating is a blessing on cooler mornings as you have a lazy breakfast in comfort.  The wet room is another pleasantly unexpected feature of this characterful haven.

But it’s the surroundings that really make this stunning Pembrokeshire cottage stand out from the many other cottages dotted throughout Britain’s only coastal National Park.  The Woodland Retreat is a romantic cottage for 2 which sits within its own grounds, including a small rear gravelled area with barbecue facilities for sunny evenings in the garden, extensive lawns all around and beautiful naturalised areas brimming with wildlife.  Butterflies and dragonflies are particularly fond of the large pond at the rear of the property.

And as if this beautiful, peaceful setting, tucked into the inland wooded glade, wasn’t enough, there are 12 acres of private, bucolic woodland for you to forest bathe in!  The Woodland Retreat also welcomes small dogs, which is ideal for your furry friends as they have miles of outdoor space to play in! 

A woodland trail leads right from the cottage to the picture postcard perfect village of Solva, known for its colourful fisherman’s cottages, ancient lime trading harbour still dotted with fishing boats, and ancient tales of pirates still imaginable when walking the small cobbled side streets.  It’s only a mile and a half, and quickly takes you from secluded woodland retreat to stunning seaside spot.  This is the idiosyncratic joy of The Woodland Retreat – the ability to be surrounded by the intoxicating oxygenation of ancient trees and the tranquillity their canopy allows, and then, within a few miles, you’re on the dynamic shores that makes this part of the world so well-known, with the sea lapping at Solva’s cliffs and the smell of freshly caught seafood all around.

The Woodland Retreat is part of the Newgale Holidays family and is available to book now via our website.  This perfect post-lockdown location still has slots available for your next escape, so book today for a remote, romantic break to take in the fresh, leafy air and coastal charm The Woodland Retreat has to offer as a self-care treat for getting through 2020!

For details of our other stunning cottages at Newgale Holidays or for more information about our campsite opening dates in 2021, follow us on Facebook or visit our comprehensive website here.