The Legend of St Dwynwen & Welsh Valentines
Saint Dywnwen's Day is the Welsh version of Valentines Day
Discover the legendary tale of Saint Dwynwen and the history of Welsh Valentines Day, celebrated annually on the 25th January. The celebration has developed from a legendary story about a female saint, Dwynwen (pronounced Doyn-wen), and has been part of the Welsh calendar for nearly fifteen hundred years.
Before you plan your Welsh Valentines Day break in Pembrokeshire this year, we recommend learning all about the fascinating story of Saint Dwynwen, and how her story kickstarted a romantic movement across Wales which is still recognised to this very day.
The story of Saint Dwynwen
In the 5th Century, there was a Welsh king named Brychan Brycheiniog who had twenty-four daughters, of which Dwynwen was known to be the most beautiful. Being the most attractive daughter, Brychan had set up an arranged marriage much to Dwynwen’s disapproval, for she had fallen in love with another.
A young man (a prince by some accounts) named Maelon Daffodril had captured Dwynwen’s affections, and some say he had fallen in love with her also. Knowing that they could not be together due to her arranged marriage, Maelon left the kingdom and a heartbroken Dwynwen escaped to the woods where she reached out and prayed to God. She prayed that she forget Maelon and her love for him, in an attempt to take away her pain.
God heard her cry, and an angel descended the skies with a potion for Dwynwen. Upon drinking the potion, Dwynwen’s strong feelings for Maelon evaporated and the angel turned him into a block of ice. Dwynwen pleaded with the angel to reverse the curse and change Maelon back to the man she had once known, and so the angel agreed. The angel then granted Dwynwen two more wishes – one being that God meet the hopes and dreams of future lovers, and the other being that she was never to marry or feel again the way in which she had felt for Maelon. As a result, Dwynwen vowed to devote her life to God and so founded her own convent becoming a nun on the small island of Llanddwyn, just off Anglesey.
How to celebrate Welsh Valentine's Day
Since Saint Dwynwen’s death, she has been named the Welsh Patron Saint of Lovers, our very own version of Saint Valentine. Many lovers still celebrate St Dwynwen's Day in Pembrokeshire to this day, giving their sweethearts wooden lovespoons as a gift of their love.
Dating back to the 17th Century, these wooden lovespoons were traditionally hand-carved by men and given to their ladies. Designs for lovespoons vary depending on the occasion or the message you're trying to give but many consists of heart shapes and traditional Celtic knots.
We met with David Thomas from The Lovespoon Workshop near Tenby to find out more about the tradition of lovespoons. This family-run workshop have been creating hand-carved lovespoons for many years. Watch the video below to find out more and make sure to pop in during your next romantic getaway in Pembrokeshire to purchase one of their beautiful lovespoons for your partner.
Spend St Dwynwen's Day in Pembrokeshire with a Welsh Valentine's Day Break
Book a Welsh Valentines Day cottage holiday for a romantic getaway, or call our Reservations Team on 01437 765765 to talk through your requirements before booking. And don't forget to take a look at our Romantic Packages for extra ways to show your lover just how much you care.
Coastal Cottages Welsh Valentines Day Breaks
Welsh Valentines's Day or St Dwynwen's Day is celebrated in Wales on the 25th January. Visit the stunning Pembrokeshire coast and discover the perfect romantic hideaway for you and your loved one to celebrate this special day.
