More About Your Selkie Retreats Holiday
At Selkie Retreats we aim to give you a warm welcome, relaxing and trouble- free stay and the opportunity to enjoy all that Pembrokeshire has to offer.
Bookings Please see Tariff and Bookings for more details. The usual changeover day is Friday. Weekly bookings are offered all year round and long weekend/ mid-week bookings in the low season only. Check- in time is 4pm and check- out time is 10am.
Babies and children Babies and children are welcome at Tan Y Ffynnon, which has an enclosed garden. Two stairgates and a highchair are provided but guests are asked to please bring their own cot if required. Babies and children are also welcome in Selkies' Caravan. Please note, however, that the caravan garden area is open to the road and to a steep (out of bounds) bank behind and therefore might be unsuitable for toddlers. Parents or other carers are responsible for their children's behaviour and safety at all times. Please ask us beforehand if you have any questions.
Dogs Up to two well behaved dogs are welcome at Tan y Ffynnon and just one in Selkie's Caravan. Please note that the caravan garden area is not enclosed. Owners should bring any equipment needed and be responsible for their dog's behaviour at all times. Please note that dogs are not allowed on the main beach at Whitesands between May and September. However, they are permitted on Porth Meglan and Porth Selai' both within a mile on the coast path, as well as on most of Pembrokeshire's smaller beaches. In the winter, Whitesands Beach is very popular with dog walkers and your dog will likely make many new canine friends. Sorry, no other species of pet is permitted. 
Electricity and heating The house has an oil-fired hot water/ central heating system, woodburner and open fire. The costs of electricity, hot water, central heating and an initial basket of logs and kindling are included in the Tariff. The caravan has electricity, a gas immersion heater for hot water, a gas oven and a gas fire. Again, the costs of these are fully included in the Tariff.
Bedding and towels All bedding is provided in both the house and the caravan. We also provide one hand towel for each bathroom and t-towels. Please bring your own bath towels, beach towels and additional hand towels and t-towels if you require them.
Parking Selkie's Caravan has up to two parking spaces and Tan Y Ffynnon has three. Please let us know beforehand if you have extra cars and we will do our best to accommodate.
Telephone There is a telephone at the house for incoming and emergency calls only. We are actively pushing for broadband to reach Whitesands Beach so that we can provide this service in the future. Mobile reception is a bit dicey but perfect just a short walk up the hill. There is also a pay phone in the beach car park.
Your arrival You will be met either by the owner or our housekeeper. We will give you the keys, answer any questions and quickly brief you on essentials. You will then be left in peace to recover from your journey and enjoy the contents of our welcome tray.
Help during your stay On your arrival in the house or caravan we will point out the information folder, which gives you emergency contact numbers, ideas for walks, restaurants, days out and so on. You will also find a box of leaflets giving you further information and ideas. We will not intrude on your stay but be very happy for your to contact us is you have any problem, or just want to ask a question.
Order Pembrokeshire produce to await you on arrival Why not make your stay more special-as well as support the local economy- by enjoying the wide range of delicious local produce available? Pembrokeshire Produce Direct at www.pembrokeshireproducedirect.co.uk enables you to buy produce on line from over 60 local producers. Much of the produce is organic and not only includes vegetables, fruit, meat, fish, shellfish and dairy products, but also home made cakes, ice-cream, chocolate and much more. If you order online for a delivery the Friday of your arrival, we will be happy to receive the food for you and put items in fridge or freezer as necessary.
Supporting local wildlife conservation, the community and the environment. For each booking received, Selkie Retreats makes a contribution to support local wildlife and conservation charities. We are currently supporting the Wildlife Trust of South and West Wales' www.welshwildlife.org Seal Conservation and Research Project on Skomer Island, through the 'adoption' of three seals. We have also recently made donations to two local animal charities for rescuing, treating and rehousing a local colony of feral cats. Selkie Retreats provides eco-friendly cleaning products and recycled toilet paper. Whilst restoring Tan Y Ffynnon, steps have been taken to make it more environmentally friendly, including better roof insulation, a more efficient boiler and replacement of some windows with double glazed wooden ones (of identical style to the originals). We plan to do more in the future, including completing the double glazing, taking the opportunity to return the front bedroom windows to their original 1930s style.
What is a Selkie? A Selkie (or Selchie) is a creature found in both celtic and nordic myths. A Selkie is part human and part seal. Most of the many stories about Selkies have a central tale about a female seal being captured and having her seal skin confiscated. Only by 'finding her skin' can she return home to the water and her own kind. See www.jackiemorris.co.uk/selkies for more information about selkies from local artist Jackie Morris.
