In the 12th century, the Pope decreed that two trips to St Davids were equal to one visit to Rome, cementing the city’s status as a pilgrimage centre for the western world.
Today, the UK’s smallest city, imbued with this historic spirituality, is renowned for its stunning coast and fascinating past. Found between rolling hills and rugged cliffs, it is home to the iconic St Davids Cathedral and bordered in all directions by the stunning Pembrokeshire Coast Path.
The city offers a peaceful coastal and countryside getaway, with charming streets, independent shops and beautiful beaches.
Surrounded by the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park, it’s a real haven for outdoor enthusiasts, with endless walking, hiking and wildlife watching opportunities.
Where to stay in St Davids
The best caravan sites in Wales will offer the ideal base for exploring your chosen destination, and the campsites near St Davids are no different.
Caerfai Bay Caravan & Tent Park is one such destination – the scenic site is a stone’s throw from the glorious Pembrokeshire Coast Path and a 20-minute walk from St Davids, with spacious pitches and an on-site shop.
Another option is Pencarnan Farm Camping and Caravan Park. Set within a 96-acre working farm, this coastal caravan park lies above Porthsele Beach and is within easy reach of the city of St Davids.
What to do on a tour to St Davids – Day 1
9am – Begin with breakfast
The small but charming town centre offers plenty of inviting eateries and pubs. Pop into The Mill Café for breakfast, where you can choose from a variety of brunch and light bites, including delicious homemade cakes.
10am – Pilgrimage site
Running through the town is Goat Street, lined with elegant cottages, independent cafés and upmarket shops. Follow the street towards the sea and once you hit the coast you’ll find the ruins of St Non’s Well and Chapel, reputedly the birthplace of St David.
12.30pm – Pub lunch
There are a few ways back into town: you can circle back, take a footpath through the fields or follow the Pembrokeshire Coast Path, which traces the craggy cliffline and leads you into St Davids.
For lunch, you can choose from a couple of cosy pubs on the main street. The Bishops is an inviting and rustic local, offering light bites and salads, burgers and pub classics.
2pm – See the cathedral
The Bishops is a few minutes’ walk from the city’s historic cathedral, on a site that has hosted a church of some form for 1500 years. Today, the cathedral is the heart of St Davids and one of the most important ecclesiastical centres in Wales.
Inside, vibrant stained glass, a fine carved ceiling and a wealth of historical features can be found. Next door to the cathedral are the ruins of the Bishop’s Palace, built on a location dating back to the sixth century.
3.30pm – Local culture
A 10-minute walk back through the town centre brings you to Oriel Y Parc National Park Discovery Centre. The museum here houses an art gallery, with exhibitions from local artists, a Discovery Room, a gift shop, a café and an information hub for exploring the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park.
4.30pm – Riverside hiking
If you fancy a walk, you can reach the village of Solva on the Pembrokeshire Coast Path in under two hours. Or it’s a six-minute drive from St Davids. Park at Solva Harbour Car Park and stroll the section of the Coast Path that traces the line of the River Solva. For those who love strolls by water, don’t miss our favourite sites for canal and river walks either.
6pm – Dinner time
Along Main Street, near the car park, there are several inviting spots for a good dinner after a long day. One of the best has to be The Hats & Barrels, an upscale location
right by the river offering traditional Welsh dishes, seasonal specials and seafood.
What to do on Day 2
9.30am – Head start
Kick off with breakfast on-site or head for the cathedral, home to MamGu Welshcakes. As well as a beautiful setting, they offer a fantastic breakfast menu and great coffee.
11am – Coastal trails
The historic harbour village of Porthgain is a 15-minute drive north from St Davids, with a few places to park in the centre.
It’s a great way to begin a lovely section of the Pembrokeshire Coast Path, a loop from Porthgain to Abereiddi and back. The 5.8km trail is mostly flat, with spectacular views of the coastline and countryside. It passes several historic coastal Porths, or gates, and goes through the hamlet of Abereiddi, which is home to a beach, castle ruins and a blue lagoon.
The trail takes about 90 minutes, or if you visit between May and September, you could catch the Strumble Shuttle to Porthgain.
1pm – Refuelling stop
The Sloop Inn in Porthgain is the perfect place for lunch. With its eclectic décor reflecting the area’s maritime history, the popular hostelry serves quality pub grub, seafood and grills. If you have the time, it’s well worth wandering around the harbour and enjoying an ice cream.
2.30pm – Out to the bay
In the afternoon, head for St Justinian’s on the peninsula’s western coast, where you can take a boat tour around Ramsey Island. On the way, make a detour to Whitesands Bay, where there is a car park that leads straight to the beach.
3pm – All aboard
A 10-minute drive from Whitesands is the embarkation point for boat tours around Ramsey Island and beyond.
The island is a nature reserve and a haven for seabirds. Although you cannot visit the island itself, the boat trip is a great way to see the scenery and spot local wildlife. Most trips run from March to November and last from one to 2.5 hours.
6pm – Warm welcome
Wind down in the city, a 10-minute drive from St Justinian’s. The welcoming Farmers Arms pub is the perfect place to end your getaway, with a hearty meal and a pint of ale.
You can get more ideas for weekend tours by checking out what to do on a 48 hour getaway to Windsor – it’s only an hour from London and has plenty of green spaces nearby too. Alternatively, you could consider a 48 hour tour to Glencoe – it’s one of the UK’s most scenic destinations.
Lead image: Pembrokeshire Coast National Park
If you enjoyed reading this article, why not get the latest news, reviews and features delivered to your door or inbox every month? Take advantage of our brilliant Practical Caravan SUBSCRIBERS’ OFFER and SIGN UP TO OUR NEWSLETTER for regular weekly updates on all things caravan related.
