Open Doors - St Davids Cathedral

St Davids Cathedral is one of the most remarkable medieval buildings in Britain.

Much of the current building was built in the 12th century in the place where Dewi Sant, St David, the patron saint of Wales, was born, lived part of his life, and died in the 6th century. As well as fascinating architecture, much of the medieval shrine of St David survives, there are several medieval wall paintings visible, the Cathedral Library houses books from 16th century to the present and the Cathedral Treasury houses displays of worship treasures from the 12th century to the Tudor and Stuart periods.

For three days in September 2025 – Saturday 27^th Sept, Sunday 28^th Sept and Monday 29^th Sept - St Davids Cathedral holds a joint programme with our magnificent, neighbouring medieval Bishops Palace, now managed by Cadw. The programme includes tours of the cathedral; visits to the historic Cathedral Library, the only one still remaining in a Welsh Cathedral; visits inside the 14th Century bell tower and lapidarium with its former the medieval dungeon (oubliette); Celtic Christian stone carved crosses from before the Cathedral was built ­and much more. And don't miss the Cathedral shops or tea and Welsh Cakes in the former St Mary's College Chapel.

This year we are delighted that our Open Doors events coincide with a meeting in the Cathedral of the International Commission for Anglican Orthodox Theological Dialogue. This is taking place 100 years after a previous visit to St Davids by a group of Orthodox Patriarchs in 1925. There will be an exhibition in the Cathedral about this earlier visit. 

Monday 29th September is also the anniversary of Norman King of England, Henry II, visiting St Davids (then called Menevia) in 1171, a few months after the murder of Thomas Becket. The Cathedral Tour that day at 11.30am will include references to this Norman visit and to Thomas Becket links to the Cathedral - as far we know about it nearly 900 years later. 

Booking is not required to take part in the services and events, but where indicated it is useful to the organisers in gauging numbers expected if we receive bookings for the Tours of the Cathedral. All events and services listed here are free to attend. Donations for the ongoing work and maintenance of St Davids Cathedral are appreciated. 

For further information please email Library@StDavidsCathedral.org.uk 

Programmes for the three days: 

Saturday 27^th September 

10am - Cathedral open for visiting 

10am-4.30pm - Cathedral nave shop open 

10am-4.30pm - Domus Cathedral shop (between Cathedral and Bishops Palace) 

10am–4pm – Mamgu’s Kitchen in Refectory open for Welshcakes, light meals and hot and cold drinks   

10am-12noon Volunteering session in Erw Dewi Community Garden, Cathedral Close

11.30am - Doors public tour of cathedral. Free online booking helpful at  Tour of Cathedral as part of Drysau Agored / Open Doors programme of events around Cathedral. - Booking by Bookwhen

12.15pm-2.45pm - Open Tower Porth-y-Twr, including bell ringing demonstrations and visit to carved Celtic Christian crosses in lapidarium. 

3pm - Cadw Open Doors free guided tour of Bishops Palace

3.30pm-4.30pm – Cathedral Library open to public. Talk being given on the Historic Collection at 4pm.  

7pm - Charity concert in Cathedral by Cor Tadau Trisant Choir, in favour of St Davids Penknife Club.

Sunday 28th  September

10am–4pm – Mamgu’s Kitchen in Refectory open for Welshcakes, light meals and hot and cold drinks   

11am-4pm - Domus Cathedral shop (between Cathedral and Bishops Palace)

12.30pm-3.15pm – Cathedral nave shop open

11am - Choral Eucharist – Preacher: The Rt Revd Michael Lewis, former President Bishop of Anglican Episcopal Church of Jerusalem and the Middle East.

1pm-2pm - Open Doors public tour of cathedral. Free online booking helpful at  Tour of Cathedral as part of Drysau Agored / Open Doors programme of events around Cathedral - Booking by Bookwhen

3pm - Cadw Open Doors free guided tour of Bishops Palace

4pm - Choral Evensong with Cathedral Choir including presentation of Michaelmas caps as during visit of Henry II in 1171. 

Monday 29^th September – Michaelmas, anniversary of Henry II visit in 1171

10am–4pm – Mamgu’s Kitchen in Refectory open for Welshcakes, light meals and hot and cold drinks   

10am-4.30pm - Cathedral nave shop open 

10am-4.30pm - Domus Cathedral shop (between Cathedral and Bishops Palace) 

11.30am - Open Doors public tour of cathedral. Free online booking helpful at  Tour of Cathedral as part of Drysau Agored / Open Doors programme of events around Cathedral - Booking by Bookwhen                

3pm - Cadw Open Doors free guided tour of Bishops Palace

2pm-4pm – Cathedral Library open to public

6pm – Vespers service, led by Orthodox members of the International Commission for Anglican Orthodox Theological Dialogue.  

For further information please email Library@StDavidsCathedral.org.uk 

Address - St Davids Cathedral, St David's, Haverfordwest, Pembrokeshire, SA62 6RD.
OS ref - SM755255

Directions - By car via A487 from Fishguard, Cardigan/Aberteifi, Aberystwyth, mid and north Wales, or via A487 and A40 from Haverfordwest/Hwlffordd, Carmarthen/Caerfyrddin, Swansea/Abertawe, Cardiff/Caerdydd and South Wales.
By sea via ferries at Fishguard, Pembroke Dock from Ireland.
By foot on pilgrim trails and Pembrokeshire Coastal Path.

The cathedral sits within a valley. Visiting the cathedral from St Davids city centre requires descending/ascending relatively steep slopes. Flat access is available by using the Merrivale car park to the west of the cathedral.

Existing accessibility provisions include:
A wheelchair available for general use within the cathedral, located in the South Porch.
A toilet suitable for disabled visitors, located in the South Cloister.
A loop system in the Nave and the Quire.
Lift suitable for wheelchairs to Refectory cafe.
Disabled parking spaces (please contact the cathedral if you require parking assistance).