St David's, also known as Tyddewi in Welsh, is named after the patron saint of Wales, Saint David.

St David's is the smallest city in Britain with a population of just over 1,600. City status was awarded in 1995 although the origins of St David's go back to the 5th century when St David himself lived here.

St David's was designated as a conservation area by the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park in 1972. This charming city holds a special place in Welsh history and culture.

St David's Peninsula

St David's Peninsula with St David's the jewel in the crown –holds secrets of some of the oldest history in Britain, a magnet for pilgrims and tourists for centuries, home of our patron saint, Dewi Sant – his shrine is at the heart of the great cathedral that holds his name.

The peninsula today, is a fantastic centre for family holidays, splendid sandy beaches, and all linked by Pembrokeshire’s award-winning National Park coastal footpath, our outdoors is second to none, walking, surfing, canoeing, coasteering, climbing, yachting and fishing – everything is possible in this amazing place.

Around our shores and islands some of the most remarkable wildlife can be found, seals, dolphins and porpoises, and the amazing bird life of Ramsey Island managed by the RSPB, and with every year a profusion of spring flowers.

Our streets are alive with exceptional shops, galleries, pubs and restaurants – so much to see and do. On March 1st we celebrate our patron saint. On this day, many Welsh people around the world proudly wear one or both of Wales’s national emblems: a daffodil and a leek. Special concerts and parades are held in honour of St David, in the Summer, concerts and plays fill the evenings, including the world-renowned annual St David's Cathedral Festival. In addition, there is also a good seasonal outdoor market held around the cross on Thursdays from April to end of September.

Attractions

St David's Cathedral is built from a local sandstone with a beautiful pink and grey colouring. It occupies the valley floor below the village. As you approach from The Square, the Cathedral is hidden until you get fairly close. When you pass through The Gatehouse, it’s magnificently revealed in front of you. This 12th-century cathedral stands on the site of even older religious buildings.

It’s an iconic religious site in Wales and is tucked away in a sheltered vale beside the River Alun. Visitors can explore its rich history, view the impressive Treasury collection, and savour home-cooked, locally sourced food at The Refectory.

The Bishop’s Palace lies on the opposite bank of the river from the cathedral. It provides a dramatic backdrop for open-air theatre performances during the summer with its brooding Gothic ruins. Now run by CADW, the Welsh historic buildings agency, the palace consists of the simpler east range (Bishop Henry de Gower’s private domain) and the grander south range, built for banqueting in the great hall, once a grand fortified residence, the palace was one of several grand residences in Pembrokeshire.

Oriel y Parc is an exclusive collaboration between Amgueddfa Cymru-National Museum Wales and Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority. The result is a sensational combination of visitor centre and exhibition space, featuring regularly changing collections of works that celebrate the Pembrokeshire Sea and landscapes. The gallery is open all year and is free of charge. There is also a cafe on site and lots of useful information for visitors.

Activities

If its water sports your looking for, TYF adventure have their own outdoor gear shop in the centre of St David's. They provide a range of activities including coasteering, sea kayaking, climbing and surfing.

Voyages of Discovery, Thousand Island Expeditions, and Falcon Boats offer wildlife watching boat trips, allowing you to explore the wild offshore islands of Ramsey, Grassholm, Skomer, and Skokholm. These boat trips offer a chance to get up close to the sea life that calls this rugged landscape home. Keep an eye out for puffins, gannets, porpoises, dolphins, and whales. You can choose a 15-minute island hop or a leisurely cruise, depending on your sea legs. Ramsey Island is an RSPB nature reserve that’s particularly good for watching nesting seabirds like guillemots and razorbills. It’s open from April to October.

Pembrokeshire Island Boat Trips also run in this area, but lands on Skomer Island allowing you to visit this amazing island and all its plants and wildlife, Skomer is a National Nature Reserve and one of the finest wildlife sites in the country, famous for its Puffins, yet there is so much more, including Manx Shearwaters, Dolphins, Harbour Porpoises, Atlantic Grey Seal, Razorbills, Gannets, Fulmars and the unique Skomer Vole.

St David’s Head coastal walk, is one of Pembrokeshire’s most dramatic coastal headlands on this rugged circular walk just a few miles away from St David’s. Whilst exploring you can look out towards an island-dotted seascape, at the same time hiking in a wild landscape full of rocky outcrops, prehistoric monuments and a fantastic array of coastal wildlife. There are also more comfortable circular day walks which start from the National Park Visitor Centre and walks to Carfai Bay, if you follow The Coast Path in a clockwise direction to either St Justinian’s or Whitesands Bay before turning back inland.

This part of the coastline is well served by the Coastal Buses, the Puffin Shuttle and the Strumble Shuttle, connects various points on the coast between St David's and Fishguard. These services are ideal for anyone walking the Pembrokeshire Coast Path, the services usually run in the morning to drop you off at your start point and then return in the afternoon to pick you up.

Food and Drink

There is plenty of inviting places to eat and drink in St David's. A few of the many cafes, pubs and restaurants include St David's Gin & Kitchen, Cwtch Restaurant, The Farmers Arms, The Mill Café, and The Bench Ice Cream Parlour, to name a few.

Additionally, there is the Refectory café in St David's cathedral run by MamGu Welsh cakes - selling traditional and alternative Welsh cakes hot off the griddle. You can expect a warm welcome, homemade dishes with a Welsh twist, local produce, comfy chairs and always a hot Welsh cake!

Grain, where the star attractions are delicious pizza, craft beer, and a fantastic atmosphere, nestled in a charming courtyard in the heart of St. David’s.

The Bishops - A village pub and restaurant, close to the Cathedral, with large outdoor area, on the cross square with a balanced menu to suit the whole family and great beers too! Dogs allowed.

At St David's Gin & Kitchen they believe that dining out should be an experience that engages all of your senses. That's why they create dishes that not only taste amazing but also look and smell incredible.

There’s also a delicious fish and chip shop too, Peters Plaice, a family run fish and chip shop in the smallest city with the biggest burgers, finest beers, and fish and chips over by 'ere!

Modern day St David's is a quaint and character-full place much loved by everyone who knows it. So, whether you’re drawn by the history, stunning landscapes, or the spirit of Welsh tradition, St David's awaits your exploration!

About Us

Based in South Pembrokeshire, Puffin Cottage Holidays are a family run business, with a wealth of knowledge on the area and the local attractions and have been successfully letting holiday accommodation for over 15 years.

We aim to provide our customers with excellent service before, during and after your holiday, making your break away from home as enjoyable, relaxing and hassle free as possible. We understand that you may lead a busy life which is why we make ourselves available out of hours and on weekends, so that we can help you find your perfect holiday at a time convenient to you and if there is anything we can do to make your holiday more special just let us know.

Remember we specialise in all sorts of properties whether you are looking for Sea Views, Pet Friendly, Character, Rural, Hot Tubs, Lodges, Apartments, Cottages, Pods and keep close to our website for the best late deals.

If you have a property you are looking to holiday let, please see our Property owners page and contact us for more details. Our current properties are predominantly based in Tenby, Saundersfoot, Penally and surrounding areas therefore access to Pembrokeshire’s award-winning beaches is never too far away!