St Davids Trail
The Welsh Patron Saint of Wales
Starting and finishing in the UK’s smallest city of St Davids this trail follows some fabulous clifftops and quiet country lanes. Follow in the footsteps of saints who came here as pilgrims and take on this 8-mile trail. There’s a wealth of wildlife to see and history to explore.
Coastal Cottages St Davids Holiday Cottages
The city of St Davids is, more accurately, an attractive village on the most westerly peninsula of mainland Britain and has what many consider to be the country's most lovely cathedral. You’ll also find excellent shops, pubs and restaurants in the city’s centre, which is easily accessible from our range of St Davids holiday cottages.
Explore the Exquisite Cathedral
Alongside the River Alun, David the patron saint of Wales established his community.
The famous St Davids cathedral has been a place of worship since the sixth century, with daily services still being conducted today. The magnificent building is always at the top of many visitors' lists of things to see. First built in 1181, the building as it stands today was repaired and extended in the fourteenth century by Welsh Bishop Henry Gower.
The cathedral contains the tombs of many vital figures from Welsh history including the reputed tomb of the Welsh prince, Lord Rhys ap Gruffydd. During the Norman Conquest, he restored the medieval kingdom of Deheubarth and united poets and musicians from across Wales for the first-ever Eisteddfod in 1176. His ornately-carved tomb dates from the fourteenth century, around two hundred years after his death.
Take in the Once-Luxurious Palace
You’ll spot next door to the cathedral is the ruin of St David's Bishop’s Palace. The Bishop's home was originally no match for the magnificent cathedral, with it being deemed only fit for ‘servants and animals’. So between 1328 and 1347 Bishop Henry Gower turned the building into an immense, luxurious palace where he welcomed distinguished pilgrims and held feasts.
However, the Reformation period saw a significant deterioration of the building. Today you’ll see the ruins of the palace but you can still picture what the once-luxurious palace would have been like.
Before heading away from the city to the next adventure it’s worth stopping by MamGu Welsh Cakes in Solva for a traditional tasty treat. In their special St David’s Day Box, they have a variety of different types including the delicious lemon daffodils, strawberry and vanilla dragon eggs, traditional welsh cakes, and the cheese and leek savoury options.
Learn about the Legend of St Justinian
The chapel here is said to be the burial place of St Justinian, St David's confessor. He lived over on Ramsey Island, but the legend says that angry followers beheaded him. After this, he picked up his head and walked back across Ramsay Sound to the mainland.
Today this spot is the base for the much-photographed lifeboat station and is a departure point for boat trips to the popular Ramsey Island during Spring and Summer when the puffins take over the island.
Enjoy the Haven for Birds and Kayakers
Being an RSPB Nature Reserve you can expect to see colonies of nesting seabirds on some of the highest sea cliffs in Wales on Ramsey Island. The island is also home to one of the UK’s largest colonies of grey seals and from September to December there are pups on every beach.
But back on the Wales Coast Path, you’ll turn left at St Justinian’s and for the next couple of miles, the rapids and eddies of Ramsey Sound are between you and the island. Kayakers love pitting their wits against the tidal race here, while larger vessels avoid the area altogether. Listen out for the waves booming against the cliffs on the walk around the bay.
Capture the Stunning Sea Views
Once you turn your back on Ramsey Island and round the headland at Pen Dal-aderyn, the massive open waters of St Bride’s Bay open up in front of us. Here you can enjoy the unspoilt natural beauty of the Pembrokeshire coastline.
At this point on the Treginnis Peninsula, you’ll be able to spot the oldest rocks in Pembrokeshire, dating back 600 million years. Whilst roaming along this glorious clifftop walk, part of Pembrokeshire National Trust, you’ll eventually come to the idyllic little harbour at Porthclais.
Porthclais was supposedly where St David was baptised. During the Spring and Summer months, there’s a kiosk here which is ideal for a refreshment stop. You can look out at the boats coming into the harbour which has been a working port since at least 1385.
Travel to St Non’s
Next, enjoy a beautiful walk to the mystical birthplace of St David, St Non’s chapel. The chapel was built to mark his birthplace, named after his mother Nonita.
The story goes that his mother gave birth to David on a cliffside in the middle of a storm. The pain was said to be so great, her fingers left marks in the rocks and the stone ‘split in sympathy’ with her.
You can still visit the ruins of the chapel today, there’s also an ancient-looking chapel nearby which was built in 1934. On the path leading up to here, you’ll spot St Non’s holy well. The well is said to have sprung up when St David was born and the water was thought to have healing properties and curative powers.
Complete the Trail with a Bite to Eat
From St Non’s, it’s just more than half a mile down a beautiful country lane back to St Davids.
St David and his monks followed a simple austere life. They would plough fields by hand and would refrain from eating meat or drinking beer. The leek is the national symbol of Wales because reputedly St David would only consume leeks and water. So, to finish the St Davids trail why not try a vegetarian and traditional Welsh dish? Head to The Bishops pub for delicious Welsh rarebit! If that doesn’t take your fancy they also serve the traditional Welsh lamb stew Cawl and Laverbread.
