A Guide to Exciting Things to do in St Davids
Although it is the smallest city in the United Kingdom, and only 1800 people live there, there are plenty of exciting things to do in St Davids. You will find the historic city in West Wales in Pembrokeshire National Park, and it is arguably one of the prettiest cities in Wales, if not the prettiest.
It is an excellent spot to base yourself to see the beautiful surroundings, be outdoors and sample the lovely local produce that makes a trip to Wales fantastic. Visit St David’s day on March 1st to see the city at its best covered in bunting, try a Welsh cake and have fun with the friendly locals, who may be in Welsh dress or wearing a daffodil.
How to Get to St Davids
There is no train service to St Davids (the nearest stations are Haverfordwest and Fishguard), so the best option is to drive by car or catch a bus. However, there are many car parks in the centre and limited free spaces just out of town.
12 Exciting Things to do in St Davids – the UK’s Smallest City
Walk along the Pembrokeshire Coast Path
The well-maintained coastal path is an absolute delight because Pembrokeshire is the only coastal national park in the UK. The path is 186 miles long, but St Davids is close to some of the most beautiful walk sections. We recommended heading to Solva or Abereddi, as we enjoyed this part the most.
Impressive, even if you’re not usually an outdoor lover. Did you know Wales has a footpath that follows the entire coast? It’s time to walk your part of it – one of the best things to do in St Davids!
Tip: Visit spring and summertime to enjoy the wildflowers in bloom as you walk by the magnificent coastline.
Step back in time at St David’s Cathedral
Possibly the most beautiful attraction to visit in St Davids is the incredible and imposing 12th-century cathedral found behind high walls. It is an iconic religious site and is the reason behind St David’s city status and is named after the patron saint of Wales. The grounds are beautiful and will be full of people enjoying themselves on the grassy banks, admiring the cathedral in the summer months.
The cathedral is hidden in a hollow to prevent Saxon invaders, but unfortunately, it did not stop people.
Top Tip: you should also explore the ruins of the 13th Century Bishop’s Palace just over the road, a Grade I listed palace. You can admire the inside of the Cathedral too – you can even attend a service – it is impressive whether you’re religious or not!
Enjoy sunset at Whitesands Bay and St. Davids Head.
Only 5-minutes outside of the city by car or a 40-minute walk, you will find the beautiful Whitesands Bay and the cliffs of St. Davids Head, where you can sometimes spot wild ponies. The rocks are 6-million years old, and the beach is a mile-long stretch of beautiful sand surrounded by greenery.
It is a great spot to watch the sunset or surf in the day, and there are a large car pay and display car park (£5 for a full day), a cafe (open May to early September) and lifeguards in the summer. There are toilets here too, and it is a great spot to spend the day. Undeniably, it is one of the best beaches in the area, and visiting is one of the best things to do in St Davids. At low tide, you may be able to see a paddle tugboat wreck from 1882. It can get hectic at this beach, so be prepared for crowds, especially in summer!
Good to know: dogs are not allowed on the beach from April to September
Eat some Ice cream
If the sun is shining, or if it is not. One of the best things to do in St Davids is to grab an ice cream and relax. Gianni’s is the most popular, and on a summer’s day, you’ll have to join the queue, that’s for sure. So what flavour do you fancy?
Discover nearby Solva
Only 2-miles away from St Davids is the beautiful little harbour village of Solva. It is a great place to relax and walk along Trinity Quay. We loved having a coffee looking over the harbour at Cafe on the Quay, the staff were friendly, and the views were exceptional, even on a misty day. One of the best things to do in St Davids for sure.
Discover the Rockpools of Caerfai Bay
Caerfai Bay is a short drive from St Davids with a free but small car park. The bay is beautiful, and the water is clear and welcoming. You can also discover the rock pools, caves or simply take it all in and relax looking over the water. Glorious. There are no facilities here, but beautiful views over the sea.
Feel at Peace at St Non’s Chapel
From St David’s city centre, you can walk to St Non’s Chapel, which is the birthplace of St David himself. The chapel was built for his mother, and you can see healing well and outstanding views over the coastline. You can reach the coastal path from here too, and it is one of the most exciting things to do in St Davids.
Explore the Blue Lagoon
The Blue Lagoon has become a popular attraction in recent years. It is a former slate quarry that closed in 1910 but is used for outdoor adventurers. You can swim, kayak, paddleboard and even go on a coasteering tour in the blue waters. It is cold, though. Alternatively, sit back and relax and watch the brave souls jump into the lagoon. It’s exciting anyway!
Are you interested in visiting? Then, please read our guide to everything you need to know about the Blue Lagoon.
Conquer Carn Llidi
Carn Llidi is a 595ft (181m) hill, just across the headland from Whitesands Bay. From here, you will be met with beautiful views of the surrounding countryside and Cardigan bay. You can also find two neolithic burial chambers around Carn Llidi, and it is one of the most historical things to do in St Davids. On a clear day, you will be able to see Skomer and Ramsey Islands and sometimes even Ireland!
Enjoy a Boat Trip
St Davids is an excellent base for a boat trip to one of the wild, uninhabited islands off the Pembrokeshire Coast. Ramsey Island and Skomer Island are some of the best that you can venture to. They are famous for their wonderful sea life, including dolphins, whales, gannets and puffins (from spring to late August).
Ramsey Island is perfect for those who love birdwatching as it is an RSPB Wildlife sanctuary spanning over 640 acres.
What’s more, different cruises depend on what day out you are looking for. These trips can be booked in Cross Square in St Davids at the Thousands of Islands Expeditions booking office and leave St David’s Lifeboat Station.
Top Tip: check the forecast before you go and book in advance to avoid disappointment. Remember, trips do get cancelled because of the weather, so make sure you have enough time in the area if a boat trip is high on your list of things to do in St Davids.
Discover Art at Oriel y Parc Gallery
Inside the information centre, you will find the wonderful Oriel y Parc Gallery, where you can feast your eyes upon exciting exhibitions from the National Museum in Wales. The exhibits, including art, history and landscape collections, are ever-changing, meaning you can visit and see something new each time. A lot of the landscape art is surrounding, which inspires your visit, making it one of the best things to do in St Davids.
The parking here is plentiful, and you can walk into St Davids centre from here too!
Top Tip: ask the friendly staff in the visitor centre for advice on what’s happening in the area and grab a coffee whilst you’re there!
Sample the Local Produce
There are several great places to eat in the smallest city, and eating and drinking are some of the best things to do in St Davids. Grab some pub grub at one of the pubs in the centre or enjoy a beer in the fantastic beer gardens.
We can recommend Losh’s pastries, which we ate in Cross Square, and there was such a long line for the fish and chips every night we were there. You can also roam around the many shops and galleries in the centre. The atmosphere is lively and vibrant, and you will have a great time exploring.
There you have 12 of the best things to do in St Davids. The smallest city in the UK should be on your Wales’ bucket list. It is beautiful, quaint and full of fun things to do, to have an extraordinary time.
Photo Credits: averavelives.com
St Davids is now on my ‘go to’ list.