UK’s tiniest city that’s packed with history and has a standout feature all of its own
- UK Hidden Gems
- 2 days ago
- 3 min read
The UK's smallest city is really more like a cosy village sitting in Pembrokeshire on the Welsh coast, full of history and surrounded by amazing scenery.
It is a cathedral city named after Wales's patron saint, and it holds his final resting place.
It was given city status because of its impressive cathedral, believed to have been built between 1180 and 1182, and it remains a quiet coastal treasure for UK travellers.
But for anyone happy to drive a few hours through Wales’s rolling green hills to reach the western edge of the country, this tiny place has far more to offer than you might expect.
History is a huge part of St Davids’ appeal, with one of Wales’s most important religious sites and a spot visited by pilgrims for hundreds of years.
The cathedral is free to look around, and the grounds are perfect for a peaceful walk on a sunny day.
Even though the site attracts a steady stream of visitors throughout the year, you might imagine the area to be much bigger and far busier, but it manages to keep its quiet, gentle feel.
Away from the cathedral and the old gothic ruins of the Bishop's Palace, St Davids has plenty of stunning walks and swimming places for people who love the outdoors.
As well as being a pretty little town with cobbled streets, it sits close to a lovely stretch of beach, clifftop paths and scenic hiking routes.
Whitesands Beach is the main sandy beach in the area, curving north towards the headland of St Davids and known as one of the best surfing spots in Wales.
It is ideal for building sandcastles, relaxing in the sunshine or taking a dip in the sea. For thrill seekers, windsurfing and kayaking are also great choices.
A happy visitor wrote on TripAdvisor: "What an absolutely phenomenal beach. The beach itself is so clean, the water was crystal clear, and there was no seaweed. You can walk out quite far, and it was just unbelievable.
"The family loved it and couldn't believe how quiet it was, and even when it got a little busier later in the day, it was still so pleasant, and this is all before the walks.
The mountain walks around the beach were quite simply breathtaking. Some lovely places tucked away, and we even found a cove we had all to ourselves."
Remember - LeaveNoTrace!
As with anywhere outdoors, kindly keep these areas pristine and wild by taking all trash with you. The amount of complaints we have seen since the pandemic is crazy. It's really not that hard to take your rubbish with you!
Litter tends to spread, so if you see any and are able to pick it up and dispose of it outside the hidden gem, it will help keep the area tidy.
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