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Cathedral city in Pembrokeshire, Wales
Photo: Alan Thomas, CC BY-SA 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons
St Davids (Welsh: Tyddewi or "house of David") is Britain's smallest city and home to Wales' most important cathedral. The city is in the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park, and is part of a cultural history area in Wales. The city's 210 listed buildings making it a destination for walkers, tourists and modern pilgrims. Many of the ancient buildings, including the Bishop's Palace, are open to the public.
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Interesting and free. It hosts an annual organ festival at the end of May. The cafe is closed.
Near the cathedral, across a small river. It is a spectacular ruin showing how much wealth and power the clergy used to have.
A large and picturesque sandy beach that has great views of Ramsey Island. It gets very busy on sunny days in the summer. There are great walks along sections of the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park and out to St Davids Head (Welsh Penmaen Dewi). There is a small shop and cafe in the car park, and a lifeguard station on the beach, which is divided into sections for swimmers and surfers/windsurfers. Always look out for and obey lifeguard safety signals.
St Justinian — the "classic" lifeboat station, built up on stilts above the water, with the boat launching down a slipway to hit the water at speed. You can visit the boathouse in exchange for a donation. There are interesting displays telling the stories of some of the rescues carried out by the lifeboat over the years, mostly involving boats carried by some of the fastest tides in UK waters on to The Bitches, the row of sharp rocks in the middle of Ramsey Sound. The selfless bravery of the lifeboatmen really comes through, especially reading the stories from the days when the lifeboat was just a large wooden rowing boat.
Research centre and visitor attraction all about invertebrates.
Several companies offer nature exploration tours by rigid inflatable boat around RSPB Ramsey Island from nearby St. Justinian. These trips can be quite expensive at around £20 for an hour but offer a unique perspective on the coastline. Take at least a waterproof coat as the fast boats and rough sea can result in a lot of splashes. Details of two firms below:
The only local family-run company, who operate the largest and most modern fleet of vessels. They offer a wide range of guided voyages and expeditions around Ramsey and other smaller islands.
The RSPB have given this company sole landing rights to Ramsey Island, but Thousand Islands also offers trips around the island, and others for wildlife enthusiasts
Operates a RIB with a New Zealand jet. Seal, dolphin and seabird watching, cave exploration, jet boat manoeuvres. Jet boat tours to Ramsey Island, Grassholm, the Smalls from St Justinian and Whitesands beach.
The Old Cross Hotel is a good place to get a drink and snack in a quieter atmosphere than is available in many of the more bustling tourist places.
An Italian-style coffee- and wine-bar and ice cream parlour in the heart of St Davids. It can get crowded, so consider booking, especially in the evening. Typical fare includes pasta and home-made pizzas, but for a splurge, try one of the main courses.
Surprisingly the Farmers is the only real pub in the city, and consequently can get pretty busy at any time of year. Always a good atmosphere with a real mixture of different people. Hot food is also available
Listed Luxury Country Hotel with sea views of the St Davids Peninsula. Close to St Davids Cathedral and the Bishops Palace.
Outstanding hotel, great dining. No children under 12 or dogs.
Charming restaurant with rooms in a Georgian farmhouse.
Holiday cottage agency
Holiday cottage agency with a fine selection of quality cottages in Pembrokeshire and throughout Wales in fabulous coastal, countryside and mountainous locations suitable for couples, families, friends sharing and retirees. 80% welcome dogs.
A 10-minute walk to the coastal path and Porthllisky beach. Good for couples and families. Sleeps up to 5. Free Wi-Fi.
Self-catering cottages.
Self-catering cottages close to Saint Davids Square. Sleeps up to 5 (double room, twin room and room with bunk beds). Private garden with BBQ facilities, Wi-Fi, wood burner and full central heating.
Two converted stone barns.
Popular camping and caravan site, located just to the south of St Davids, overlooking a sandy bay. Organic farm shop on site. Advance booking recommended, though they have a minimum 4-night stay for advance bookings, extended to 7 nights in the school summer holidays (mid July to early September).
Possibly the only site in the area with a better location than Caerfai Bay, Pencarnan is on top of the cliff above Porthsele Beach. Prices are high and apart from the location the camp site is very average, with typical British plumbing in the bathrooms and (contrary to claims on the site) fairly steeply sloping fields, particularly those closest to the beach. Wi-Fi is available around the reception building, but is not free of charge.
A short walk from the cliff top that forms Wales' most westerly point overlooking Ramsey Island. Simple but lovely site. Ready-pitched tents available to order, also a Mongolian ger, or you can bring your own tent.
More than 40-pitch caravan & camping park, 1.5 miles from the coast.
Caravan Club site, level site for tourers and motorhomes. Fantastic views. Water tap and disposal point. Batteries charged.
Lovely, if basic, hostel in former farm buildings on the slopes of Carn Llidi the rocky hill that dominates the northern part of the St Davids peninsula. About 2 miles to the north-west of St Davids, close to Whitesands Bay.
Specialist surf shop, selling clothes, equipment, books. Also offer surfing lessons. Their website has a daily surf conditions report and a webcam of Whitesands Beach.
The National Trust owns and cares for large parts of the St Davids peninsula, as well as the historic cross in the centre of the city. The shop features some informative displays about the work they do in the surrounding countryside, as well as a nice range of gifts, cards, postcards etc.
Siop Lyfrau Tyddewi
Interesting selection of new and second-hand books on local topics.
Deli specialising in local produce. Order freshly-made sandwiches and baguettes from the counter at the rear of the shop.
Outdoor equipment, accessories and clothing, as well as kites, frisbees, beach toys, etc.
By bus
Richards Coaches service 411 Haverfordwest to Fishguard calls at St Davids. Connections with the National Express network from the rest of the UK can be made at Haverfordwest.
By rail
The best route (in terms of the number of trains and the number of connecting buses) is by train to Haverfordwest station, and then the T11 bus from the railway station entrance to St Davids.
By sea
Stena Line sails from Rosslare in Ireland to Fishguard, which is a short bus journey from St Davids.
The city is small enough that walking is the best way to get around and see the sights.
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