St Davids Britian's smallest city Pembrokeshire

St Davids

Named after St David the patron Saint of Wales, this is Britain’s smallest city (population 1,600), by virtue of it having a cathedral.  The Cathedral is beautiful inside and out and is constructed in part with the distinctive purple coloured local stone.

 

St Davids is also unusual in that it has been built in a natural hollow rather than on a high point. From a distance it cannot be seen and it is said that it was built this way to provide protection from sea borne invaders!

 

 Alongside the Cathedral are the ruins of St Davids Bishops Palace.  These are extensive; bishops must have really lived in style here.  Today outdoor theatre events take place in the summer and organ recitals in the cathedral.

 

St Davids is a busy local town especially during the summer holiday season. In the centre is a traffic island with a small park and stone cross.  Originally a market cross, there are often small craft markets held here in the summer.

 

There are a number of souvenir shops including the national trust.  You will not go hungry there are lots of cafes, restaurants and pubs.  The Farmers Arms is our favourite!

 

Parking is on the edge of the city on the Haverfordwest road where there are toilets and a visitor centre.  It is worth the walk about a mile from here down to Caerfai Bay for the beautiful views and the beach at low tide.

 

There are a number of good circular coastal walks as St Davids is on the tip of a peninsular. One takes you past the small but beautiful St Non’s Well.  St Non was St David’s mother.

 

There are boats trips from here out to the offshore islands beautiful in their own right but also important birdlife reserves.  Thousand Islands Expeditions  01437 721721 and Voyages of Discovery   01437 721911