Solva Woollen Mill

We understand that each person’s needs are different, and hope this access information makes your visit to our mill, tearoom and shop as enjoyable as possible.

We welcome all visitors to explore our mill, and our employees are there to offer you a warm, friendly welcome. We therefore ask that you are respectful and courteous to everyone who works at the mill.

When bringing small children to visit, we would appreciate it if they under adult supervision at all times and remember that the mill is a business not a playground.

The shop, tearoom and weaving shed are open 5 days a week all year round. In addition to this we open on a Saturday during July, August and September. However, there maybe times beyond our control when we are unable to open the mill. So we suggest checking the website or dropping us an email before you visit, especially if you’re coming a long way, just to double check and be on the safe side.

On Arrival

• Solva Woollen Mill is one mile along the valley from the village of Solva.
• Parking is free for all visitors.
• The car park has a gravel top surface.
• The mill can be reached over a flat footbridge across the river, from the car park. There is a small ramp onto and off the bridge.
• Should you need to park closer to the mill building, there is parking behind the mill. Access to this is along the drive next to the Corn Mill cottage. This is signposted from Middle Mill. Alternately please contact the mill for details.
• The wooden bridge across the river has handrails on both sides.
• Visitors are urged to be aware and keep close supervision of children and dogs at all times.

The Mill

Outside Access:

• The Mill is entirely step-free from the car park, throughout the outdoor areas, and inside the mill buildings.
• There is a flat stone paved path, leading from the footbridge to the door of the weaving shed, and continues outside to the entrance of the shop.
• The whole of the outside area has a fence running alongside it. This is because in places there are steep slopes leading to streams and also wet, boggy areas of land. Visitors are urged not to climb these fences, to be aware of what children and dogs are up to and keep them close supervision at all times.
• There is a gravel topped path leading from near the shop entrance round to where the waterwheel is.
• Outside seating is wooden picnic benches. There are also 2 low level wooden seats incorporated into the surrounding railway sleeper boundary.
• The waterwheel has been restored and there is a small channel of water used to power it. This area has a fence surrounding it and visitors are not allowed within this area for any reason.

Access to shop and tearoom:

• The doors are not automated; if assistance is required staff will be happy to help.
• The Mill building is entirely on ground level and the shop and tearoom have hard slate floors.
• Free entry.
• The tea room is mostly flat, with a small ramp leading up to the tearoom counter. The rest of the shop and tearoom is level.
• There is ample room in the shop for a wheelchair to turn and manoeuvre.
• The shop and tearoom are well lit spaces.
• Our tearoom provides seating, with a selection of drinks and cakes on offer. We do not serve any hot food.
• Any allergies must be highlighted to staff who will (if possible) direct you to allergen free products.
• Tearoom tables and chairs are wooden. There is also a soft leather sofa (low seating).

Access to toilets:

• These are directly accessible from the tearoom, with a dedicated disabled toilet that also has baby changing facilities.
• There is a small ramp from the tearoom into the toilets.
• There is a hard, tiled floor throughout the toilets.

Access to weaving shed:

• This area is accessible to all visitors, but it is a working area. It can be very noisy and dangerous so care should be taken when visiting this area.
• There may be times when access to the weaving shed isn’t allowed due to the nature of it being a working mill.
• Due to the need to operate safely, the looms are located behind a safety screen and no access to them is allowed whilst they are being used.
• The weaving shed is flat throughout with a concrete floor.
• Visitors should be aware that part of the weaving shed is quite dark.
• There is a video playing in the weaving shed, showing all aspects of the weaving processes at the mill. This can be helpful for visitors when the looms are being refilled so not actually weaving, and when we’re open on Saturdays in the summer.
• If assistance is required, our staff will be happy to help.