Charming St Davids is the UK’s smallest city, but it has a cathedral - and what a magnificent, 12th century cathedral - so it qualifies. Wales’ patron saint was both born and buried here and it’s Wales’ holiest sight and has been a place of pilgrimage for 1500 years. It’s charming because of its size, and because of its beautiful cobbled streets of pale stone, and because of the way the sea always seems to pop into view - here you’re bordered on three sides by the sea, and on one side by hills. So the best places to stay in St Davids have views as well as charming details to go with their charming surrounds.

St Davids is part of the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park, and not an inconsequential part, either, it’s a conservation area. So pilgrims to St Davids aren’t just looking for spiritual or historical insight, they’re also looking for spectacular views, great walking trails, and surfing, sailing and kayaking adventures.

What not to Miss

• St Davids Cathedral will probably be your first port of call when it comes to sights. It was built in an unassuming way, in a valley location to try and shield it from Viking raiders. But it didn’t work, it was ransacked seven times! Inside the walls it’s still incredibly impressive. Most of it dates from the 12th and 14th centuries, but the nave is even older. The cathedral’s library, and the ruins of the Bishop’s Palace next door are also worth visiting.
• St Davids is a local Celtic site, a heather-covered peninsula with the foundations of long destroyed huts. There’s also a burial chamber. And fantastic views - all the way to Ireland on a clear day.
• Ramsey Island is a local nature reserve, and a known home for razorbills and guillemots.
• The Pembrokeshire Coast National Park is just out of town, with its cliffs and beaches and views and islands, and marshes and forests. It includes the beautiful and historic Preseli Hills, the Daugleddau estuary, St. Bride’s Bay and Caldey Island. Expect to be frequently surprised and impressed by what nature is capable of. Grassholm Island is particularly easy to reach from St Davids.
• The Preseli Hills get a second mention, because this is where you’ll find the impressive neolithic burial site, Pentre Ifan, which is around 5500 years old, and so impressive for it, with a vast, five metre long capstone atop three upright stones - which look just like those of Stonehenge.