Solva is not know for its haunted dark past but a new ghost walk aims to show even the quaintest little fishing village can harbour mysterious and eerie paranormal activity.
A couple of years ago Fire Donkey Productions had the idea to put on a ghost walk in Solva. Not the first location you'd think of when it comes to spooky tales from beyond the grave but with a dark past of smuggling and pirates there was always going to be a wealth of material to tap into and we aim to bring to life some of the true (or at least heavily embellished) ghost stories that we have uncovered in our time researching this little picturesque village's history.
To celebrate, and to not give away too much of what we have planned, we asked an AI Chat bot to give us a run down of Solva's best known spectres. The results were...interesting...and quite freakish. And if you want to come to our Solva ghost tour (or our St Davids Walking Tour for that matter) tickets are available via our website .
In the meantime, enjoy!
Captain Jack O' Bones: Legend has it that the ghost of Captain Jack O' Bones, a notorious pirate from the 18th century, haunts the Solva Harbour. With his skeletal appearance and clanking chains, he roams the shores in search of his lost treasure, warning anyone who dares to disturb it. (of course his name is Jack O'Bones)
Lady Isabella Whispers: The ghostly figure of Lady Isabella Whispers is often seen drifting through the halls of a dilapidated manor on the outskirts of Solva. Rumor has it that she was tragically betrayed by her lover and now seeks vengeance on any who cross her path. (Christ, not sure where this dilapidated manor is? There are ruins on the way out towards Middle Mill? Maybe there?)
Smuggler Sam: In the winding alleys of Solva, the ghostly presence of Smuggler Sam can be felt. Once a cunning salt smuggler, he now plays pranks on unsuspecting visitors, leaving behind a trail of mysterious footprints. (cannot deny that more needs to be made of Solva's salt smuggling past)
The Crying Woman of Solva Bridge: Late at night, locals have reported hearing the heart-wrenching cries of a sorrowful woman near Solva Bridge. Legend has it that she was separated from her lover during a storm and now lingers, eternally waiting for his return. (considering the bridges in Solva are quite small this must have been quite the storm or when people were really small)
The Porpoise Poltergeist: Solva's waters are said to be haunted by a mischievous porpoise poltergeist. It's rumoured that this spectral marine mammal enjoys splashing unsuspecting visitors and surfacing right when it's least expected. (this may come up in the tour)
The Phantom Fisherman: The ghostly silhouette of a fisherman is often spotted sitting by the edge of the harbour, quietly mending his net. Some say he's a lost soul forever bound to his passion for the sea. (creeeepy)
The Whispering Trees: A chilling phenomenon, the Whispering Trees, refers to the ghostly sounds of hushed voices emanating from the ancient woodland near Solva. Locals say it's the restless spirits of past villagers seeking solace among the trees.
The Dancing Shadow: A mysterious shadowy figure has been seen dancing through the moonlit streets of Solva. The locals believe it to be the spirit of a long-lost performer who once graced the town's grand theater (Edit: Not sure where this theatre was meant to be, perhaps a reference to the Memorial Hall? or in typical AI fashion it just plucked it out of thin air).
The Lantern Light Specter: Late at night, a spectral light is said to wander along the coastal paths of Solva, guiding lost souls to safety. Many believe it to be a guardian spirit watching over travelers in the darkness.
The Haunting Hiker: Hikers exploring the rugged hills around Solva have reported encountering a spectral hiker who leads them to breathtaking viewpoints before vanishing into thin air.