Glorious coastline and a historic cathedral city are just part of the attraction for Sue Greenwood on a brief tour of peaceful Pembrokeshire
EASTER HAD COME and gone, and there was a promise of sunshine, so we planned a trip to Wales, heading for Pembrokeshire and St Davids, in the south-west.
We chose to stay at Caerfai Bay Caravan and Tent Park, just outside St Davids. On arriving, we took a quick walk around the site, discovering a beautiful clifftop location with stunning views of the coastline.
Next morning, we awoke refreshed after a very peaceful night and were keen to get out and about and explore St Davids. It was an easy one-mile walk along a quiet country lane to reach the city.
Our walk into St Davids took us past the Oriel y Parc Gallery & Visitor Centre. This is advertised as a destination in itself, so we stopped to have a quick look.
In 2007, this thriving cultural centre was built using green technologies. It boasts several eco-friendly features, including grass and sedum roof spaces.
Small but mighty
St Davids is Britain’s smallest city, but don’t expect a bustling metropolis – this is more like a medium-sized village. It’s a very pleasant place.
Historically, towns with a cathedral were automatically given city status, so St Davids became a city in the 12th century. However, the rules changed in the 19th century and it lost its city ranking. Then in 1995, that title was restored by Royal Charter.
There are several pretty streets, scattered with independent shops and cafés, which are pleasant to wander around.
Many of the older houses were built in flint, the traditional construction material of the area, and there is a market cross in a small square beside a war memorial garden. Both seemed to be a good place for visitors and walkers to stop for a breather.
We were heading for the cathedral, so we followed the signs down the hill and along a street heading towards an ancient gatehouse. We had read about the cathedral before visiting, but were not prepared for the impact of our first view as we passed through the stone gatehouse.
This, the only remaining gatehouse of the four that were part of the 15ft-high defensive wall ringing the city in medieval times, rather hides the cathedral from view as you make your approach.
Many cathedrals are imposing edifices that dominate their surroundings, but St Davids lies in a valley, hidden from sight until you emerge through the gate – then the full magnificence of this great cathedral is laid out before you.
An ancient cathedral
Like many
