St Davids

St Davids (Welsh: Tyddewi or "house of David") is Britain's smallest city and home to Wales' most important cathedral. The city is in the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park, and is part of a cultural history area in Wales.

• St David's Cathedral, The Pebbles, SA62 6RD, +44 1437 720202. is interesting and free. It also has a decent and reasonably priced cafe-restaurant. It hosts an annual organ festival at the end of May. Free admission, but donations recommended for upkeep.
• Bishop's Palace, The Close, +44 1437 720517. Near to the cathedral, across a small river. It is a spectacular ruin showing how much wealth and power the clergy used to have.
• Whitesands Beach. A large and picturesque sandy beach that has great views of Ramsey Island. It gets very busy on sunny days in the summer. There are great walks along sections of the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park and out to St Davids Head (Welsh Penmaen Dewi). There is a small shop and cafe in the car park, and a lifeguard station on the beach, which is divided into sections for swimmers and surfers/windsurfers. Always look out for and obey lifeguard safety signals.
• St Davids Lifeboat Station, +44 1437 720215. St Justinian — the "classic" lifeboat station, built up on stilts above the water, with the boat launching down a slipway to hit the water at speed. You can visit the boathouse in exchange for a donation. There are interesting displays telling the stories of some of the rescues carried out by the lifeboat over the years, mostly involving boats carried by some of the fastest tides in UK waters on to The Bitches, the row of sharp rocks in the middle of Ramsey Sound. The selfless bravery of the lifeboatmen really comes through, especially reading the stories from the days when the lifeboat was just a large wooden rowing boat.
• The Bug Farm, Lower Harglodd Farm, +44 7966 956357. Research centre and visitor attraction all about invertebrates

St David's Cathedral, The Pebbles, SA62 6RD, +44 1437 720202. is interesting and free. It also has a decent and reasonably priced cafe-restaurant. It hosts an annual organ festival at the end of May. Free admission, but donations recommended for upkeep.

Bishop's Palace, The Close, +44 1437 720517. Near to the cathedral, across a small river. It is a spectacular ruin showing how much wealth and power the clergy used to have.

Whitesands Beach. A large and picturesque sandy beach that has great views of Ramsey Island. It gets very busy on sunny days in the summer. There are great walks along sections of the [[Pembrokeshire Coast National Park]] and out to St Davids Head (Welsh Penmaen Dewi). There is a small shop and cafe in the car park, and a lifeguard station on the beach, which is divided into sections for swimmers and surfers/windsurfers. Always look out for and obey lifeguard safety signals.

St Davids Lifeboat Station, +44 1437 720215. St Justinian — the "classic" lifeboat station, built up on stilts above the water, with the boat launching down a slipway to hit the water at speed. You can visit the boathouse in exchange for a donation. There are interesting displays telling the stories of some of the rescues carried out by the lifeboat over the years, mostly involving boats carried by some of the fastest tides in UK waters on to The Bitches, the row of sharp rocks in the middle of Ramsey Sound. The selfless bravery of the lifeboatmen really comes through, especially reading the stories from the days when the lifeboat was just a large wooden rowing boat.

The Bug Farm, Lower Harglodd Farm, +44 7966 956357. Research centre and visitor attraction all about invertebrates

• Nature Exploration trips. Several companies offer nature exploration tours by rigid inflatable boat around RSPB Ramsey Island from nearby St. Justinian. These trips can be quite expensive at around £20 for an hour but offer a unique perspective on the coastline. Take at least a waterproof coat as the fast boats and rough sea can result in a lot of splashes. Details of two firms below:
  • Voyages of Discovery, 1 High Street (opposite Lloyds Bank, +44 1437 721911. The only local family-run company, who operate the largest and most modern fleet of vessels. They offer a wide range of guided voyages and expeditions around Ramsey and other smaller islands.
  • Thousand Islands Expeditions, Cross Square, +44 1437 721721. The RSPB have given this company sole landing rights to Ramsey Island, but Thousand Islands also offers trips around the island, and others for wildlife enthusiasts
  • Venture Jet, Glenfor, Llanon, +44 1348 837764. Easter to October (booking is essential). Operates a RIB with a New Zealand jet. Seal, dolphin and seabird watching, cave exploration, jet boat manoeuvres. Jet boat tours to Ramsey Island, Grassholm, the Smalls from St Justinian and Whitesands beach. From £13 child, £25 adult.
• Hiking on the many trails. The Pembrokeshire Coast Path runs along the coast through the entire of the Pembrokeshire National Park. This means that you can turn up at any point on the coast and walk along to the next village or bay. The National Park Authority now runs subsidised bus services along the coast that will take you back to the place you started from for a small charge.
• Swimming and scuba diving
• Spend some time on the many beaches on the coast nearby. There are many beaches within a short drive of St Davids, all of which are clean and most of which have a lifeguard service. Facilities such as toilets and cafes are usually available but vary depending on how popular the beach is.

Nature Exploration trips. Several companies offer nature exploration tours by rigid inflatable boat around RSPB Ramsey Island from nearby St. Justinian. These trips can be quite expensive at around £20 for an hour but offer a unique perspective on the coastline. Take at least a waterproof coat as the fast boats and rough sea can result in a lot of splashes. Details of two firms below:

• Voyages of Discovery, 1 High Street (opposite Lloyds Bank, +44 1437 721911. The only local family-run company, who operate the largest and most modern fleet of vessels. They offer a wide range of guided voyages and expeditions around Ramsey and other smaller islands.
• Thousand Islands Expeditions, Cross Square, +44 1437 721721. The RSPB have given this company sole landing rights to Ramsey Island, but Thousand Islands also offers trips around the island, and others for wildlife enthusiasts
• Venture Jet, Glenfor, Llanon, +44 1348 837764. Easter to October (booking is essential). Operates a RIB with a New Zealand jet. Seal, dolphin and seabird watching, cave exploration, jet boat manoeuvres. Jet boat tours to Ramsey Island, Grassholm, the Smalls from St Justinian and Whitesands beach. From £13 child, £25 adult.

Nature Exploration trips. Several companies offer nature exploration tours by rigid inflatable boat around RSPB Ramsey Island from nearby St. Justinian. These trips can be quite expensive at around £20 for an hour but offer a unique perspective on the coastline. Take at least a waterproof coat as the fast boats and rough sea can result in a lot of splashes. Details of two firms below:

• Voyages of Discovery, 1 High Street (opposite Lloyds Bank, +44 1437 721911. The only local family-run company, who operate the largest and most modern fleet of vessels. They offer a wide range of guided voyages and expeditions around Ramsey and other smaller islands.
• Thousand Islands Expeditions, Cross Square, +44 1437 721721. The RSPB have given this company sole landing rights to Ramsey Island, but Thousand Islands also offers trips around the island, and others for wildlife enthusiasts
• Venture Jet, Glenfor, Llanon, +44 1348 837764. Easter to October (booking is essential). Operates a RIB with a New Zealand jet. Seal, dolphin and seabird watching, cave exploration, jet boat manoeuvres. Jet boat tours to Ramsey Island, Grassholm, the Smalls from St Justinian and Whitesands beach. From £13 child, £25 adult.

Nature Exploration trips. Several companies offer nature exploration tours by rigid inflatable boat around RSPB Ramsey Island from nearby St. Justinian. These trips can be quite expensive at around £20 for an hour but offer a unique perspective on the coastline. Take at least a waterproof coat as the fast boats and rough sea can result in a lot of splashes. Details of two firms below:

• Voyages of Discovery, 1 High Street (opposite Lloyds Bank, +44 1437 721911. The only local family-run company, who operate the largest and most modern fleet of vessels. They offer a wide range of guided voyages and expeditions around Ramsey and other smaller islands.
• Thousand Islands Expeditions, Cross Square, +44 1437 721721. The RSPB have given this company sole landing rights to Ramsey Island, but Thousand Islands also offers trips around the island, and others for wildlife enthusiasts
• Venture Jet, Glenfor, Llanon, +44 1348 837764. Easter to October (booking is essential). Operates a RIB with a New Zealand jet. Seal, dolphin and seabird watching, cave exploration, jet boat manoeuvres. Jet boat tours to Ramsey Island, Grassholm, the Smalls from St Justinian and Whitesands beach. From £13 child, £25 adult.

Nature Exploration trips. Several companies offer nature exploration tours by rigid inflatable boat around RSPB Ramsey Island from nearby St. Justinian. These trips can be quite expensive at around £20 for an hour but offer a unique perspective on the coastline. Take at least a waterproof coat as the fast boats and rough sea can result in a lot of splashes. Details of two firms below:

• Voyages of Discovery, 1 High Street (opposite Lloyds Bank, +44 1437 721911. The only local family-run company, who operate the largest and most modern fleet of vessels. They offer a wide range of guided voyages and expeditions around Ramsey and other smaller islands.
• Thousand Islands Expeditions, Cross Square, +44 1437 721721. The RSPB have given this company sole landing rights to Ramsey Island, but Thousand Islands also offers trips around the island, and others for wildlife enthusiasts
• Venture Jet, Glenfor, Llanon, +44 1348 837764. Easter to October (booking is essential). Operates a RIB with a New Zealand jet. Seal, dolphin and seabird watching, cave exploration, jet boat manoeuvres. Jet boat tours to Ramsey Island, Grassholm, the Smalls from St Justinian and Whitesands beach. From £13 child, £25 adult.

Hiking on the many trails. The [[Pembrokeshire Coast Path]] runs along the coast through the entire of the [[Pembrokeshire National Park]]. This means that you can turn up at any point on the coast and walk along to the next village or bay. The National Park Authority now runs subsidised bus services along the coast that will take you back to the place you started from for a small charge.

Swimming and scuba diving

Spend some time on the many beaches on the coast nearby. There are many beaches within a short drive of St Davids, all of which are clean and most of which have a lifeguard service. Facilities such as toilets and cafes are usually available but vary depending on how popular the beach is.

• Ma Simes Surf Hut, 28 High Street, +44 1437 720433. Specialist surf shop, selling clothes, equipment, books. Also offer surfing lessons. Their website has a daily surf conditions report and a webcam of Whitesands Beach.
• National Trust Shop, High Street, +44 1437 720385. The National Trust owns and cares for large parts of the St Davids peninsula, as well as the historic cross in the centre of the city. The shop features some informative displays about the work they do in the surrounding countryside, as well as a nice range of gifts, cards, postcards etc.
• St Davids Bookshop, 5a The Pebbles (between Cross Square and the Cathedral, +44 1437 720480. Interesting selection of new and second-hand books on local topics.
• St Davids Food and Wine, High Street, +44 1437 721948. Deli specialising in local produce. Order freshly-made sandwiches and baguettes from the counter at the rear of the shop.
• TYF Adventure Equipment, 1 High Street, +44 1437 721611. Outdoor equipment, accessories and clothing, as well as kites, frisbees, beach toys, etc.

Ma Simes Surf Hut, 28 High Street, +44 1437 720433. Specialist surf shop, selling clothes, equipment, books. Also offer surfing lessons. Their website has a daily surf conditions report and a webcam of Whitesands Beach.

National Trust Shop, High Street, +44 1437 720385. The National Trust owns and cares for large parts of the St Davids peninsula, as well as the historic cross in the centre of the city. The shop features some informative displays about the work they do in the surrounding countryside, as well as a nice range of gifts, cards, postcards etc.

St Davids Bookshop, 5a The Pebbles (between Cross Square and the Cathedral, +44 1437 720480. Interesting selection of new and second-hand books on local topics.

St Davids Food and Wine, High Street, +44 1437 721948. Deli specialising in local produce. Order freshly-made sandwiches and baguettes from the counter at the rear of the shop.

TYF Adventure Equipment, 1 High Street, +44 1437 721611. Outdoor equipment, accessories and clothing, as well as kites, frisbees, beach toys, etc.

• The Old Cross Hotel, Cross Square, +44 1437 720387. The Old Cross Hotel is a good place to get a drink and snack in a quieter atmosphere than is available in many of the more bustling tourist places.
• The Bench, 11 High Street, +44 1437 721778. An Italian-style coffee- and wine-bar and ice cream parlour in the heart of St Davids. It can get crowded, so consider booking, especially in the evening. Typical fare includes pasta and home-made pizzas, but for a splurge, try one of the main courses.

The Old Cross Hotel, Cross Square, +44 1437 720387. The Old Cross Hotel is a good place to get a drink and snack in a quieter atmosphere than is available in many of the more bustling tourist places.

The Bench, 11 High Street, +44 1437 721778. An Italian-style coffee- and wine-bar and ice cream parlour in the heart of St Davids. It can get crowded, so consider booking, especially in the evening. Typical fare includes pasta and home-made pizzas, but for a splurge, try one of the main courses.

• Farmers Arms, 14 Goat Street, +44 1437 720328. Surprisingly the Farmers is the only real pub in the city, and consequently can get pretty busy at any time of year. Always a good atmosphere with a real mixture of different people.

Farmers Arms, 14 Goat Street, +44 1437 720328. Surprisingly the Farmers is the only real pub in the city, and consequently can get pretty busy at any time of year. Always a good atmosphere with a real mixture of different people.

St Davids is near the extreme southwest tip of Wales, so to get out, you will likely have to return the way you came. If travelling around the coastal path, or touring by car, nearby towns include Haverfordwest and Fishguard. Places of interest further afield include Cardigan to the north, Tenby to the southeast and Carmarthenshire to the east.

• Ramsey Island. An RSPB nature reserve known for its colonies of birds. Two boats per day land there, leaving from St Justinian at 10AM and noon, returning at noon and 4PM. Tickets available from Thousand Island Expeditions in Cross Square, St Davids.
• Solva (Solfach) — pretty little village at the head of a long, narrow natural harbour. Just over a 3 mile walk along the coast path to the east. The village has 4 pubs, so there's plenty of opportunity to get refreshments before walking back! The best views can be had from The Gribin, the cliff on the south side of the harbour. Solva's main car park is free.
• Abereiddy small village and beach with plenty of activities. Near by is the Blue Lagoon.
• Porthgain small harbour with an industrial heritage

Ramsey Island. An RSPB nature reserve known for its colonies of birds. Two boats per day land there, leaving from St Justinian at 10AM and noon, returning at noon and 4PM. Tickets available from Thousand Island Expeditions in Cross Square, St Davids.

[[Solva]] (Solfach) — pretty little village at the head of a long, narrow natural harbour. Just over a 3 mile walk along the coast path to the east. The village has 4 pubs, so there's plenty of opportunity to get refreshments before walking back! The best views can be had from The Gribin, the cliff on the south side of the harbour. Solva's main car park is free.