St David's brings together the history of its cathedral and several distinct walking routes. Would you like to focus on the cathedral and Bishop's Palace, or include walks to St Non's Chapel, Porthclais or Whitesands Bay? If you are looking for a hotel in St David's, you can plan your days around these interests: the routes range from a short circuit to a 4.5-mile circular walk.
Circular Walks and Coastal Routes
The short Historic St Davids Walk is 1.3 miles (2.1 km) long and takes about 45 minutes. It starts and ends at the Oriel y Parc Gallery and Visitor Centre. The route follows paved and natural footpaths, quiet paths and mostly minor roads. This makes it the time-efficient option, while another circular walk offers a longer route and a different destination.
The Historic monument walk: St Non’s Chapel and St Davids runs from St Davids Cathedral via St Non's Well and St Non's Chapel to Porthclais Harbour and is 4.5 miles long. This route has no livestock gates and is suitable for visitors with pushchairs and wheelchair users. Path conditions can change; check them before setting out.
As a separate pilgrimage route, the path to St Non's Chapel and St Non's Well leads from the centre of St David's to the chapel. St Non's Chapel is about 600 m south of St David's; its origins are thought to date to the early Middle Ages. The coastal path from St David's to Whitesands Bay follows the Pembrokeshire Coast Path. For cyclists, National Cycle Network Route 4 passes through St David's; the route offers several detours to the coast along quiet country roads. The different destinations help you choose an outing based on route length and your preferred focus.
Cathedral and History
St Davids Cathedral welcomes visitors and pilgrims. A wheelchair is available for use inside the cathedral in its south porch. As visitor arrangements may change, check them before your visit. The cathedral stands on the site of a monastery founded by St David in the 6th century. For more than 800 years, it has been a place of pilgrimage and worship. The restored shrine of St David was unveiled and rededicated on St David's Day 2012.
St Davids Bishop's Palace also tells the story of the place: until the Reformation in the 16th century, it was the residence of the Bishop of St Davids. Between 1328 and 1347, Henry de Gower transformed the building into a grand palace. The cathedral and the Palace therefore offer a different focus from the routes leading to the coast or St Non's.
Tŷ’r Pererin offers extended hospitality to visitors to the cathedral. Events and activities there include guided walks and pilgrimages. This means you can combine a visit to the cathedral with a guided activity or pilgrimage.
A Special Place to Take a Break
Mamgu Welshcakes Café is located in the ruins of St Marys College, part of St Davids Cathedral dating to the 14th century. If you plan to visit the café, check before travelling whether it is currently open. This lets you fit a visit to the site into your day without conflating it with one of the walking routes described.
Discover more destinations: Fishguard, Houghton, Penally, Ludchurch, Kilgetty, Llandissilio, Cosheston, Rosemarket.
For the wider travel overview: Pembrokeshire.
