Saint Davids Travel Guide

  Saint David's cathedral.
by pfsmalo
  • Saint David's cathedral.
      Saint David's cathedral.
    by pfsmalo
  • St. Non's chapel.
      St. Non's chapel.
    by pfsmalo
  • Pigsfoot lane.
      Pigsfoot lane.
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  •   Saint Davids
    by ranger49
  • Cathedral
      Cathedral
    by Balam

Explore Saint Davids

Things to Do  

The Bishops Palace, St Davids.

The Bishops Palace, St Davids., Saint Davids

 ranger49 Says:  The ruins of this once magificent mediaeval building are adjacent to the Cathedral but are in the care of CADW the body responsible for the care of ancient mounments in Wales.Aerial photographs of the site showing both the Cathedral and the Palace give some idea of the... 

Visit the Cathedral

Visit the Cathedral, Saint Davids

 Myfanwe Says:  St Davids Cathedral sits in a valley right next to the Bishops Palace. The present Cathedral dates from the 12th Century but incorporateds later features such as the carved Renaissance ceiling in the Nave.It is free to go into the Cathedral but donations are welcomed for the... 

Visit the Bishops Palace

Visit the Bishops Palace, Saint Davids

 Myfanwe Says:  Situated next to the majestic Cathedral in St Davids you will find the elaborate remains of the Bishops Palace. Here you can get an idea of the wealth and status of these medieval men of religion.Bishop Thomas Bek undertook significant new building work on the site but it... 

Cathedral Gateway

Cathedral Gateway, Saint Davids

 Balam Says:  The Cathedral and it's associated building were protected by a great wall with fortifications, The gateway that led to the village is a great example of how these fortifications would have looked. 

Cross Square

Cross Square, Saint Davids

 Balam Says:  In the Centre of St Davids is Cross Square where there is a large cross up some steps which makes a nice view point for the city. The square is the heart of the City which is really only the size of a Village. It was granted city status by Queen Elisabeth II in 1995 because... 

The Bishops Palace

The Bishops Palace, Saint Davids

 Balam Says:  The Bishops Palace is situated within the walled perimeter of the cathedral precincts. The surviving buildings date from the thirteenth and fourteenth centuries and were the work of Bishop Thomas Bek (1280-93) and Bishop Henry de Gower (1328-47). The Vaulted under crofts are... 

The Cathedral

The Cathedral, Saint Davids

 Balam Says:  Around 589 to 601 AD St David died but had founded a monastery on the site of the cathedral, between 645-1097 St. Davids was attacked and destroyed many times with Vikings killing Bishop Morgenau in 999 and Bishop Abraham in 1080After the Norman invasion of 1066 William the... 

OrielyParc

OrielyParc, Saint Davids

 ranger49 Says:  This new gallery and landscape interpretation centre, opened in November 2008 must be one of the most up to date, ecologically sustainable and accessible buildings of its kind in Wales. It was introduced to us by a relative with whom we were staying as The Graham Sutherland... 

Nearby Walks and Beaches

Nearby Walks and Beaches, Saint Davids

 ranger49 Says:  St. David's makes an excellent base for holidaymakers with its proximity to some of the best beaches in Wales, including the popular surfing beach at Whitesands Bay and the Pembrokeshire Coastal Path National Park for walkers.National ParkThere isa good choice of... 

Tower Gatehouse & Bell Towe

Tower Gatehouse & Bell Towe, Saint Davids

 ranger49 Says:  The Tower Gatehouse is the only one that survives of the four that were originally built into the 15ft high wall that enclosesd the original 14thC. Cathedral.The Gatehouse is now home to a museum which provides an insight into the History of the Cathedral and of St David..... 

Hotels  

Glan Y Mor Guest House

 2 Opinions

Restaurants  

The Refectory: Good Food and WiFi in the Cathedral

The Refectory: Good Food and WiFi in the Cathedral, Saint Davids

 ranger49 Says:  The restored Cloisters include the Cathedral Café which was opened early in 2008 within the Grade 1 Listed Building St Mary’s Hall. In the most delightful of surroundings excellent refreshments are served here every day at quite reasonable costs.At lunchtime a variety of... 

The Farmers Arms: Nice pub

The Farmers Arms: Nice pub, Saint Davids

 Balam Says:  We were going to call into the Pub in Cross Square for a drink as it looked like a nice old pub but it was closed for building work. We walked around the corner to another old pub called The Farmers Arms. It is a lovely old pub with a nice wood burning stove that really... 

Shopping  

Cathedral Shops
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Balam 1677 reviews
Domus Shop

There are two cathedral shops
The main Cathedral Shop is in the Cathedral at the west end of the Nave opposite the door when you enter and stocks a wide range of books, music and gifts. (It is here that you will have to pay the charge to take pictures). There is also a large selection of fair-trade products.

Over the stone bridge on the other side of the river there is the Domus Shop which specialises in Welsh and Celtic gifts, crafts and books.

Written Feb 23, 2010

Phone: 01437 720060

Related to:
 Historical Travel
 Arts and Culture
 Religious Travel

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Visiting and Photographing the Cathedral
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Cathedral in the hollow of a valley
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Favorite thing: Entrance to the Cathedral is free though it is suggested that a donation be made to the costs of maintenance.

PHOTOGRAPHS.
If you wish to take photographs inside the Cathedral a charge is made £1.50 for still photography; £3 for videos and special conditions apply to the use of tripods ( imposed by Health and Safety Regulations) and there is a £10 charge.

GUIDED TOURS.
In August free guided tours provided by volunteers are available - details inside the Cathedral Shop and on the website.

ACCESS.
The entrance to the Cathedral, once you pass through the Gatehouse, involves a walk downhill with quite a few steps. There is a longer wider path which would be manageable for wheelchair users. It is possible for cars to drive down and drop off a disabled person.
Within the Cathedral there are some uneven floors and different levels to negotiate with steps.

On my last visit (April (2011) I noticed that a chair lift has been installed at the foot of the stairs in the cloisters leading up to the Refectory restaurant.

http://www.stdavidscathedral.org.uk/index.php?id=716

Updated Nov 3, 2012

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Map of Saint Davids