St Davids is a city in Pembrokeshire, that sits on the Alun River and St Davids Peninsula at the most westerly point of Wales. With around 1,600 people living in the city, it is the smallest city in Britain in terms of both size and population. St Davids received city status in the 16th Century because of its Norman cathedral, but this status was revoked in 1888. In 1995 its city status was restored by Queen Elizabeth II, but in reality it has the feel of a small village.
Sport in St Davids
Whitesands BayOpens in a new window is a sandy beach about two miles from St Davids, ad is a very popular spot for water sports. It has been called one of the best surfing beaches in the country, and is also popular with canoeists and body boarders.
The actions not all on the beach though: St Davids has its own rugby union team St Davids RFC, that is a member of the Welsh Rugby Union and a feeder club for the Llanelli Scarlets.
Shopping in St Davids
St Davids boasts an eclectic mix of independent shops, mostly clustered around Cross Square, that sell everything from fresh local produce to books, clothes, shoes, sweets, gifts, cards, hardware and even surfing and camping gear. There is also a National Trust visitor centre and shop, where you can learn more about the National Trust properties, beaches and walks in Pembrokeshire.
Food and Drink in St Davids
Considering its small size, St Davids has a surprisingly large number of pubs, cafes and restaurants. You can enjoy a locally brewed beer with your meal in one of several cosy pubs, or you can go for a more upmarket dining experience in one of the fashionable restaurants or gastro pubs serving delicious dishes made from locally sourced produce.
Attractions In and Around St Davids
St Davids CathedralOpens in a new window houses the remains of St David, the patron saint of Wales, and the city was an important destination for pilgrims during the Middle Ages. Two pilgrimages to St Davids were decreed to be equivalent to a single pilgrimage to Rome by Pope Calixtus II, and some very famous names once made the journey here, including William the Conqueror and King Henry II.
The Pembrokeshire Coast Path runs for 186 miles along the coast from St Dogmaels to AmrothOpens in a new window, and offers incredible walks through a range of marine landscapes, including limestone cliffs, sandstone bays, volcanic headlands, glacial valleys, estuaries and beaches. Along the trail you can see evidence of the region’s neolithic past and a variety of wild coastal flowers and seabirds. You might even be lucky enough to see seals, porpoises and dolphins swimming offshore.
Other sites not be missed include the ruins of St Non’s Chapel and Well and the Bishop’s Palace. St Non’s Chapel is believed to be the birthplace of St David, while St Non’s Well was thought to have healing powers. The ruin of the Bishop’s Palace, built in the fourteenth century, still retains its former grandeur and is now used as an open air theatre.
