St David's Day in St Davids, Pembrokeshire
Celebrate 1st March in the very city where Saint David once walked
The smallest city in Britain, St Davids, is named after the Patron Saint of Wales, Saint David (aka Dewi Sant in Welsh) who once lived there. Annually on the 1st of March, the Welsh community celebrate St David's Day in honour of Dewi and if you ask us, there is no better place to honour him than by spending Saint David's Day in St Davids.
Discover the history of Saint David and how he transformed into an iconic figure of Welsh history, plus handy information about St David’s Day. These St Davids Day facts cover everything from why we celebrate on March 1st, how you can get involved with Saint David’s Day celebrations and key landmarks to visit when in St Davids.
Who is Saint David?
Saint David is the Patron Saint of Wales, a religious man known for incredible miracles who has since become a figurehead of Welsh history. It is believed that he was born around 550 on a clifftop during a fierce storm on the outskirts of Mynyw, now known as St Davids.
It is believed his mother Non was all alone during his birth and as she gripped a stone in pain, a holy well sprung from the land. This landmark is now a highly recommended visitor attraction in the area, alongside a chapel dedicated to Non and the ruins of an old chapel that once stood there.
In later life, David was later baptised at the nearby Porthclais Harbour Beach by Saint Elvis, before being sent to Whitland to be educated at a monastery. A particularly spiritual man, he completed many pilgrimages across the UK and further afield. Stories say that he even travelled to Rome and Jerusalem where he was consecrated as an archbishop, before later becoming the Archbishop of Wales.
David lived to over 100, passing away on 1st March 598 - hence the date being marked as St David's Day. During his life, he founded twelve monasteries across the UK during his travels including one in Glastonbury and one in St Davids. After his death in the 12th Century, Pope Callactus II recognised Dewi as a saint and named him the Patron Saint of Wales.
Stained glass window of Saint David (aka Dewi Sant) at St Nons Chapel
Legends to Remember on Saint David's Day
Saint David’s first miracle was to cure his blind mentor, a monk named Paulinus, by making the sign of the cross to him. Dewi’s most well-known legend is about the sermon he delivered to a crowd in Llanddewi Brefi. Such a large crowd had formed to hear David speak that many in the crowd were unable to see or hear him. Upon hearing this complaint, a white dove landed on David’s shoulder and the ground beneath him rose providing him with a platform that all could see.
How to Celebrate St David's Day on March 1st?
It is commonplace to see people dressed in the national costume with women donning traditional black hats and red dresses. Leeks and daffodils are worn on the lapels and Welsh flags are hung high.
Visit Saint David’s shrine at St Davids Cathedral; it has proved a popular destination for pilgrims as the Pope has since declared that two pilgrimages to St Davids are equal to one pilgrimage to Rome.
How to Say "Happy St David's Day" in Welsh?
Translated into Welsh, "Happy St David's Day" is "Dydd Gwyl Dewi Hapus".
St Davids Bishop's Palace (left) and St Davids Cathedral (right)
Places to Visit on St David's Day
St Davids Cathedral
Sightsee the beautiful St Davids Cathedral, built on the site where David built a monastery in the 6th Century, to visit his shrine inside. Often on March 1st, you’ll be met with flowerbeds of golden-yellow daffodils. Tour the Treasury and The Library; you might even hear bells ringing from the bell tower at the top of the steps.
St Davids Bishop's Palace
Originally a magnificent building in the 14th Century, St Davids Bishop’s Palace is nestled in the valley alongside the Cathedral. Discover how the servants worked and how the bishops lived via information boards and audio services that also illustrate how the rooms may have looked and what they were used for. The miniature model of the palace is brilliant
Settle on one of the benches around the grounds or head to the garden overlooking the Cathedral where you will find picnic tables decorated with games such as snakes and ladders. Browse the gift shop to purchase souvenirs such as Welsh recipe books, Welsh cake-scented candles and Celtic jewellery.
To honour St David’s Day, CADW has been known to offer free entry on March 1st so if you’re in the city on the 1st, it’s a wonderful place to waste a few hours in this charming city. Tickets are still required despite the free entry and can be purchased in advance online or at the gate. The St Davids Bishop’s Palace is child-friendly and dogs are welcomed provided they are kept on leads. Check the Cadw event website to see if this is happening this year.
St Davids Bishop's Palace
St Nons: The Birthplace of Saint David
Set on the outskirts of St Davids in a wonderful coastal location, St Non’s is a must-visit for anyone interested in Welsh history as you can sightsee the birthplace of Dewi with ruins of the old chapel, the Holy Well and the newer St Non’s Chapel.
The tiny but beautiful chapel is decorated with stained glass windows of local saints such as Non, David, Brynach and Winifred. Inside, you will find information about the chapel and saints, as well as information on where certain parts of the building were sourced.
St Nons Chapel
Stroll the Streets of St Davids
Walk through the picturesque streets of St Davids on St David’s Day to see shop windows decorated with daffodils, red dragons, leeks and Welsh flags. Many of the independent stores here sell daffodils around March 1st and they’re often only a pound or two for a bunch; a budget-friendly way to join in with the celebrations!
Drop into the Pubs and Cafes in St Davids
Pop into Mamgu Welshcakes, a local bakery and cafe at the refectory of St Davids Cathedral to sample Wales’ most iconic delicacy; the Welsh cake. Enjoy a hearty breakfast or light lunch in this idyllic cafe amongst the remarkable place of worship but make sure to save some room for a Welsh cake or two.
Alongside the traditional currant Welsh cakes, you'll find a wide selection of flavours including specials freshly made in the kitchen. Try dark chocolate and orange, white chocolate and cranberry or opt for one of their savoury choices - the full breakfast even comes with a cheese and leek Welsh cake!
Call into The Bishops or The Farmers Arms for a hearty bowl of cawl or a Welsh lamb roast dinner to sample even more local produce. Drop into The Mill Cafe or Pebbles Yard for a cuppa and a slice of Bara Brith, a Welsh fruit cake.
Saint David's Day Events in St Davids
St David's Day Annual Dragon Parade
Annually on a Saturday near 1st March, crowds line the High Street of this Welsh city for one of the county’s most popular St David’s Day events. Led by a local marching band and the Mayor of St Davids, the procession consists of school and community groups with children, teachers and adults – many in fancy dress and all sporting handmade dragons in varying sizes.
The parade follows a short closed-road route along the High Street from Oriel Y Parc Visitor Centre and Café to Cross Square and back. Cross Square is the best viewing spot, as the parade circles the square providing lots of photo opportunities.
The 2025 St David’s Day Annual Dragon Parade takes place on Saturday 1st March at 2:00pm and is free to join. Keep an eye on the Oriel Y Parc Facebook page as they often run craft-making workshops in the lead-up to the parade to help with creating your dragons.
The Annual Dragon Parade in St Davids
St David's Day Pilgrimage
A free-to-join pilgrimage through St Davids is held each year in remembrance of Dewi. In 2025, this begins at 9:30am on Saturday 1st March at Porthclais Harbour and passes through St Non’s via the Coast Path to see the Holy Well, before moving to Oriel Y Parc to (hopefully) see the sunlight reflect a poem through the capstone - only possible on a sunny March 1st.
Accompanied by songs and hymns, the procession walks through the city to the Cathedral, stopping at Cross Square so the Bishop of St Davids can bless the city. Ending with prayers at St David’s Shrine in the Cathedral, this is a special way to remember his legacy.
Ras Dewi Sant Marathon
Athletes take over the tranquil grounds of the Cathedral as part of the Ras Dewi Sant Marathon. The race starts early outside St Davids Bishop’s Palace following country lanes and Coast Path on a circular route through Abereiddy, Whitesands Beach, St Nons and back through the Cathedral grounds up the steps.
Where to Stay for St David's Day
Immerse yourself in Welsh culture this Saint David’s Day with a getaway to St Davids and tick all of the above off your bucket list. Our excellent St Davids holiday cottages collection includes cosy home-from-homes, luxury houses, dog-friendly getaways and family-friendly apartments. Enhance your stay with some local or Welsh produce courtesy of our holiday hampers; the Welsh Produce Hamper is one of our best-selling.
Coastal Cottages St Davids Holiday Cottages
St Davids is the smallest city in Britain. It is located on the westerly peninsula of Wales and has what many consider to be the country's most lovely cathedral. Whether admiring its cathedral, walking the stunning Pembrokeshire Coast Path, or enjoying the city’s delightful local shops, pubs, and restaurants, our holiday accommodation in St Davids offers the perfect retreat after a busy day.
