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Wales | THE COACH HOUSE Set on the edge of the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park is The Coach House, a sympathetic conversion of a traditional barn bursting with character. Comfortable and cosy spring to mind for this beamed barn conversion in a quiet village close to picturesque Porthgain harbour. |
 | JEMIMAH COTTAGE This detached holiday cottage lies on the fringe of the Pembrokeshire Coastal Path, in the hamlet of Treffynnon. Come back to this comfortable retreat after day out exploring wonderful coastline and picturesque St Davids. |
 | THE PINES Boasting contemporary style and an idyllic position from which to explore Wales, The Pines is the perfect property for a getaway with friends or family at any time of year. |
Out and about
In the city, there are some incredible historical relics. St David’s Cathedral gave the area its city status, which is not surprising when seeing its magnificent and intricate architecture. There is an amazing treasury collection inside, and the green surrounding the landmark would make for the perfect picnic spot.
The Bishop’s Palace are gothic-style ruins in town where a walk through will immerse you in the landmark’s history. These stunningly well-preserved ruins make for a great photo opportunity, and often open-air shows are held here.
Learn more about the area and get some great recommendations for some must-see locations from the Visitor Centre. Here, the Oriel y Parc Gallery displays some fantastic local art that visitors should make time for a viewing of. There are also amazing wooden statues in the area outside the Gallery.
The coast is only a short walk away, easily accessible via the Pembrokeshire Coast Path. This will take you to rocky beaches and breath-taking cliff top views, where there are also opportunities for rock-pooling. Porthclais Harbour is a small-scale harbour just south of St Davids, where there is a beautiful panoramic view of the Pembrokeshire Coast. St Non’s cliffs are a great hiking opportunity with an unforgettable sea view. Here, St Non’s Chapel and Well should also be visited.
A circular walk from the Visitor’s Centre in town to Carfai Bay is perfect to explore the coast on foot, but the route will not be too strenuous. From Carfai Bay, continue to St Justinian’s where there are two vintage boat ramps overlooking the sea. Alternatively, walk along to Whitesands Beach, which is a bigger sandy beach and a popular surfing spot.
Places to eat
There are a range of warm and welcoming pubs in which to enjoy a traditional pub lunch. The Farmer’s Arms has a gorgeously rustic interior, as well as outdoor seating, and they serve seasonal Welsh dishes as well as fresh seafood meals. The Grove Hotel is a stone pub in a restored coaching inn, with classic pub meals available, as well as burgers and grill meals.
For an evening meal, there is a fantastic selection of dishes ranging from lighter meals to seafood dishes to hearty mains at The Bishops. This is a cosy restaurant with a wooden interior and is bedecked in fairy lights. Or, try St Davids Gin & Kitchen, which prides itself on serving locally served produce, including Ramsey Island Hogget. Grain is a restaurant working in collaboration with Bluestone Breweing Company, meaning their stone baked pizzas can be enjoyed with a locally brewed ale. There is also no shortage of fish and chip shops as well if that is what you’re craving!
For a unique and memorable meal that you’re not likely to find elsewhere, try out Grub Kitchen, located just outside of the centre. Their dishes are influenced by a range of culinary styles, but all use some type of edible insect. Whilst this may appear strange, their use of entomophagy has been highly commended by customers.
Exploring nearby areas
Solva is a small village only a 5-minute drive from St Davids, or just over an hour’s walk through the countryside. Solva Lime Kilns are a popular tourist attraction on the beach, where there are also beautiful views of the River Solva. Here, Café on the Quay is the perfect place to take in the view with a light lunch. A pub meal is available at either The Harbour Inn or The Royal George, the latter located in town with outdoor seating framed by an incredible panorama of the sea.
The Blue Lagoon at Abereiddi is a unique spot, this being a former slate quarry which was flooded by the sea. A lagoon was created, which sits amongst stunningly rustic cliff tops with a gorgeous seascape. You can walk along the cliffs to discover this area, or more daring visitors can try out coasteering or kayaking.
A 25-minute drive takes you to Fishguard and Goodwick, two fantastic coastal towns which have been twinned together. By the coast, there are some notable focal points that visitors should make the time to appreciate, including Goodwick Sea Wall, the Lighthouse, and the Harbour. Fishguard Fort is the ruin of a fortress overlooking the sea and is another impressive landmark to explore. Discover the great lunch selection at The Shack, an outdoor restaurant in the town. Or, have lunch with a harbour view at Café on the Quay.