Things to Do in St Davids
Plan a jam-packed itinerary for your stay in the UK’s smallest city
Are you thinking of planning a holiday to St Davids but don't really know that much about the city? Well fear not, there are plenty of things to do in St Davids to keep you busy during your stay.
Whether you're staying for a week, a short break or just a weekend, St Davids is a rich and cultured landscape perfect for a variety of holiday styles. This petite peninsula lies in one of the most westerly points of Pembrokeshire and whilst this destination might hold the title of the smallest city in the UK, it promises big adventures and cherished memories.
We've put together a shortlist of things to do in St Davids based on what kind of holiday you want and what your interests are to help you decide at a glance what you'd most like to do.
For the History Buffs
The St Davids peninsula is a land full of legends and history, making it ideal for those of you who are wanting to delve into some of the most magical stories of Wales.
The most famous attraction in St Davids though is St Davids Cathedral (see the main picture above). Set in a valley in the centre of the city, this cathedral stands on the original site of a monastery founded by Saint David himself. Often the end destination for pilgrimages, you'll find a shrine to David inside along with a Treasury, library, gift shop and various spaces for worship. With impressive architecture and beautifully delicate interiors, St Davids Cathedral is top of the list in terms of things to do in St Davids.
Note, the Cathedral is an active place of worship and operates a traditional communion service alongside hosting special events such as the annual Cathedral Festival each May. Admission is free but you are welcome to donate, pray and explore.
You can also pay a visit to Capel Non, a cliff-side location on the outskirts of St Davids. Here stands the remains of a Chapel named after Saint Non, the mother of our national saint, David known also in Welsh as Dewi Sant. Also on this site, you can visit a well that is believed to have healing powers. This well, marked by a small shrine, allegedly appeared around 550 AD during the thunderstorm which took place when Non gave birth to David.
Situated just behind the Cathedral you will see St Davids Bishop’s Palace. Remarkably maintained, this building was Saint David’s original monastery on the site built in the 6th Century. Much of its structure remains although it is now a ruined building without a roof. Pay a visit for an insight into the days gone by or attend one of the open-air theatre performances during the St Davids Arts Festival each summer.
Inside St Davids Cathedral
For the Walkers and Wildlife Spotters
The entire Pembrokeshire Coast National Park is a utopia for walkers and wildlife spotters; so you will easily fill your holiday itinerary if this is the kind of trip you're organising.
You can join the Pembrokeshire Coastal Path from numerous locations across the peninsula like Caerfai but wherever you choose, you will find spectacular views of the coastline and the local wildlife such as porpoises. Take a hike along this popular trail and you'll discover small lesser-visited coves such as Porthclais, Porthselau and Caerbwdi along with larger more well-known bays like Whitesands Beach. Go for a ramble in spring with the hedgerows are erupting in pinks, blues and yellow or take a stroll around September when many of the small coves and inlets will be sprinkled with newborn seal pups; just make sure not to disturb them on your travels. Hop aboard the Celtic Coaster or the Puffin Shuttle bus services (dog friendly) to walk longer lengths of the path and get a ride back.
St Justinians is also within easy reach just a couple of miles from the centre of the city and if where you'll board wildlife boat trips to Ramsey Island. This RSPB nature reserve is great for a day out if you choose to land on the island or you can opt for a variety of cruises around the island. Take a guided walk and learn about the island from a resident warden or explore the caves on a rib ride. Whichever you choose, make sure to take along a camera as you’ll see incredible sightings of seabirds, seals and fauna depending on what time of the year you choose to visit. Available through our Concierge team or booking offices in the city centre, you can take a boat around the island or the surrounding coast, or land on the island for the day.
St Justinians is not only the departure point for many local boat trips to Ramsey Island, but it is home to the past and present RNLI Lifeboat Stations of the peninsula so you might even catch sight of a lifeboat launch during your visit.
Wildlife on Ramsey Island
For the Shoppers
Being such a small city, the streets of St Davids are sprinkled with independent shops and quaint stores rather than large retail warehouses. Think charming and friendly shops where the store-holders and staff are locals who have lived their whole lives just down the road.
Any book-lover will adore the unique experience of shopping at the St Davids Book Shop. No longer seconds from the Cathedral, this bookshop can be found in Maes Dyfed just a short walk from the Cross Square. It is a favourite for regular visitors to the area who love a good book with one-level bursting with new, secondhand and local novels. Right next door lies Basalt & Dune, another fantastic independent storefront where you can purchase art, jewellery, homewares and more. For gifts and souvenirs, try Window on Wales on the Cross Square or Solva Woollen Mill for quality fabrics. Call into Chapel Chocolates if you're looking for something sweet.
For local produce; there’s The Veg Patch selling fruit, vegetables and more or try St Davids Food and Wine just across the way for a popular delicatessen selling a mixture of local favourites, Welsh delicacies and more. Gwyn Davies & Son is just down the road - a family butcher selling meat, fish and other groceries plus there’s also CK’s Supermarket if you want to do a larger shop.
You will also a handful of small delightful retail stores including Fat Face, Crew Clothing Co. and a National Trust shop.
Basalt & Dune shop in St Davids
For the Sea Adventurers
Being so close to the coast, it really is no wonder that one of the best things to do in St Davids is heading to the beach. There are two main ones in the vicinity, Whitesands and Caerfai, though there are many more to be explored in the wider area. Within just a thirty-minute drive, you can also visit Newgale, Nolton, Solva Harbour Beach, Abereiddy and Abercastle.
Whitesands Beach is the larger out of the two in St Davids and has even been named as one of the top beaches in the world in recent years. Located just outside St Davids, it is a popular location with surfers as the waves are often pretty good and the local surf schools use this location for their beginner lessons. Families enjoy days out here as there's plenty of soft sand and it is manned by lifeguards throughout the summer months, making it a safe place for all. It is also regularly awarded a Blue Flag for its clean water quality and convenient facilities. Note, dog restrictions apply during the summer months.
Of course, the views help too. Settle on the sand and bask in far-reaching views across the sea towards Ramsey Island and enjoy scenes of swimmers, watersports enthusiasts and more having a wonderful time here. Towering over the beach is the volcanic outcrop of Carn Llidi – stroll to the top for even more magnificent views across the coast and Ramsey Island.
A little closer to St Davids is the smaller Caerfai Beach, it is much more enclosed than the mile-long shore at Whitesands making it particularly popular with bathers because of its sheltered nature. Its smaller size does however make it less suitable for those looking to try their hand at watersports so make sure to head to Whitesands if that's what you're looking for. During your visit, you’ll spot the unusual colouring of the surrounding cliffs. Made of purple sandstone, this material was used to build the Cathedral.
St Davids is home to the founders of the watersport known as coasteering. A mixture of sea swimming, scrambling and cliff-climbing; this sport was discovered by the team at TYF Adventure and is seemingly ever-increasing in popularity. TYF can take you exploring the coastline with surfing sessions, coasteering, sea kayaking, climbing and more. These sessions are also available to book via our Concierge department.
Try coasteering in St Davids
For Family Holidays
Beach days and sea adventures are naturally a popular pastime with families of all shapes and sizes but what else is there to do in St Davids if you're travelling with smaller children?
Just outside of St Davids towards Fishguard, you’ll find Dr Beynon’s Bug Farm. An exciting and interesting attraction, this Bug Farm allows you to gain a fascinating insight into the world of all things creepy-crawlies. Also a working farm and Scientific Research Centre, this attraction combines activities including a Tropical Bug Zoo and Museum with a Bug Farm Trail and Walled Garden and indoor play area to create a fantastic day out for all the family. You can even visit their on-site restaurant The Grub Kitchen for a spot of lunch – challenge yourself to sample some edible bugs if you’re brave enough!
You should also keep an eye on the events calendar at Oriel Y Parc as it often hosts special events such as Easter and Summer fun days, Christmas markets and more. It is primarily a tourist information centre complete with shop, café, gallery and exhibition centre.
You will also find a free outdoor play area opposite CK's which is ideal for wasting away a couple of hours on those sunny days. Take along a picnic or pick up some sandwiches from the supermarket across the road, and let the children play safely on the swings, monkey bars, slide and roundabout whilst you soak up the sun. It's ideal if you're planning a budget-friendly holiday.
Dr Beynon's Bug Farm
With so many amazing things to do in St Davids, you're guaranteed to have a truly memorable holiday here. So much so, that you might just make it an annual thing. Whatever you get up to on your stay in Pembrokeshire, we'd love to hear from you. Upload your holiday snaps to Instagram and use #sharepembrokeshire - we might just share our faves.
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.
