One of the most atmospheric places we know of, St Davids is the smallest city in the UK. Named after the patron Saint of Wales, it’s a very popular tourist destination. Especially in the Summer. But we think Christmas in St Davids is pretty cool too.
St David is reputed to have been born here and it’s also his final resting place. The Cathedral is absolutely central to any visit to St David’s but there are plenty of other things to keep you occupied.
Shops, cafes, good food, and plenty of places to stay. And it’s close to two really nice beaches. Which are great at any time of the year.
We like to soak up the atmosphere in St David’s and visit and least a couple of times a year. Every year! It’s that special. And that’s not going to change any time soon. We think you’ll love it too.
How to get to St Davids
Getting to St David’s is fairly straightforward. From the Western end of the M4 you simply follow the A40 pretty much as far West as you can to Haverfordwest. St David’s is well signposted from there and…
…it’s a beautiful drive too!
Getting around St Davids
The centre of St Davids is pretty compact which makes it a great place to explore on foot. We think this is the best way to explore any travel destination.
Car parking is limited and charges apply but there is some free on street parking available for short periods.
Where to stay
There are a few hotels in St Davids and plenty of accommodation in the surrounding areas including independent hotels, guesthouses and B&Bs, self-catering accommodation and caravan parks with full facilities and entertainment.
A great place to start your search is on booking.com. Even if you decide to book direct it gives you a good idea of what’s available where and when.
When to visit St Davids
St Davids is absolutely a year round destination. You can (and we do) visit at any time of the year. As good in Summer as it is in the lead up to Christmas.
We find it a good place to visit in Summer as most tourists head for the beaches. People also seem happier then and there also tends to be more going on. That, along with the pleasant weather makes for a more enjoyable time. We get to see the sights without getting wet. And eat and drink al-fresco. What’s not to like about that?
Things to do around St Davids
There are plenty of things to do in St Davids and below is just a brief summary.
Visit the Cathedral
No visit to St Davids would be complete without seeing the Cathedral. Incredibly atmospheric, this is what makes St Davids a city. It has to be top of the list of things to do in St Davids.
Stroll to St Nons
A 20 minute walk away from the Cathedral is the ruin of St. Non’s Chapel where St David is said to have been born. There’s also an ancient well here as well as the more recently built Chapel under the retreat.
Eat and drink
There are so many places to eat and drink in St David’s that you’ll find it difficult to choose. Cafes, bistros, fast food and fine dining restaurants. Oh, and ice-cream! It’s got them all.
We don’t give recommendations because things change and everyone’s tastes differ. Suffice it to say that you will not have difficulty finding something to suit you. Possibly because of the competition here you will be spoilt for choice.
Shop
Shopping in St David’s is very much about boutiques and small independents but there are a few well known high street names here too. Most of the shops are located in the High Street and those running off it.
Head to the beach(es)
Yes the beaches! There are 2 main beaches in St Davids and they are very different to each other.
One is a wide golden stretch of sand which is easily accessible with great parking. And what the other lacks in convenience makes up for with it’s stunning turquoise waters.
Great in the warmth of the Summer Sun they are also very busy then. Which is why we think a great time to visit them is in Winter. Especially good for sunsets you can have them almost entirely to yourself!
Check out our posts on Whitesands and Caerfai.
St Justinians
Just under 2 miles away (5 minutes by car) is St Justinians with its old and new lifeboat stations. The views out to Ramsey Island are incredible from here
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