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St Davids (Not St David's)

St Davids is named after the patron saint of Wales, Saint David. St Davids is the smallest city in Britain with a population of just over 1,600. City status was awarded in 1995 although the roots of St Davids go back to the 4th century when St David himself lived. St Davids was designated as a conservation area by the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park in 1972.

Picture: St Davids Cathedral

The magnificent Cathedral at St Davids dates back to the 12th century, although several older cathedrals were built before that on the same site. Unfortunately, St Davids was prone to Viking attacks, being so close to the sea. The Vikings destroyed several of the older structures. Modern day St Davids is a quaint and characterful place much loved by everyone who knows it.

Picture: Carol Concert in St Davids Cathedral

St Davids Cathedral is built from a local stone with a beautiful pink and grey colouring. It occupies the valley floor below the village. As you approach from The Square, you can't see the Cathedral until you get fairly close. When you pass through The Gatehouse, it's magnificently revealed in front of you.

Picture: The new cloisters at St Davids Cathedral

The Cloisters have recently been rebuilt and look as if they have always been there. Next door to this is the refectory café and restaurant serving superb food, which opened in 2006.

Picture: The Refectory at St Davids Cathedral

Picture: St Davids Bishops Palace and St Davids Cathedral

Picture: The oriel window in St Davids Cathedral

Next door to St Davids Cathedral is the ruin of The Bishops Palace and well worth a visit. Now run by CADW, the Welsh historic buildings agency. The Palace became one of the victims of the reformation when many ecclesiastical estates were confiscated. Once a grand fortified residence, the palace was one of several grand residences in Pembrokeshire including Lamphey Bishop's Palace and Llawhadden Castle.

Picture: Al Fresco cafe in St Davids

There are a number of very good hotels, guesthouses and B&B's in and around St Davids. These include the luxurious Warpool Court Hotel and The Old Cross Hotel, right next to the square.  There are some excellent camp sites and caravan sites nearby at Caerfai Bay and Whitesands Bay, including a Caravan Club site. There are a few small static caravan parks plus plentiful choice of self catering cottages to choose from.

Shopping In St Davids

There are several interesting shops in St Davids clustered, mostly, around the old cross. There's also a good country market there on Thursdays in the summer from June to September.

Picture: St Davids Country Market held on Thursdays from June to September next to the old cross

Picture: Taylors Gift Shop next to the Cathedral Gatehouse in St Davids, Pembrokeshire

Picture: The Old Sweet Shop in the High Street in St Davids

Picture: Giani's Ice Creams in St Davids, Pembrokeshire

The TYF (Twr Y Felin) adventure shop St Davids

Picture: Caerfai Beach near St Davids

St Davids Peninsula has some of the most magnificent coastal scenery in Pembrokeshire. This is the heart of The Pembrokeshire Coast National Park and The Coast Path walking is delightful.

A comfortable circular day walk starts from the square in the centre of St Davids, past the National Park Visitor Centre to Carefai Bay. Then follow The Coast Path in a clockwise direction to either St Justinians or Whitesands Bay before turning back inland.

The newest facility which opened in 2008 is the Oriel y Parc Gallery. The National Park visitor centre has been extended to accommodate a gallery to house a state of the art gallery. Used to display national treasures including the works of Graham Sutherland who was a Pembrokeshire resident for much of his life. The gallery also has a cafe, resident artist and a Tourist Information Centre. It's open all year and free of charge.

Pictures: The Oriel y Parc gallery