Open Doors - St David's Cathedral

St David's 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, St Davids Cathedral holds a joint programme with the 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); and much more. 

Programmes for the three days: 

Saturday 26 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 
11am - "Hearing the Unseen: Michaelmas, Angels, and the Formation of Christian Imagination" Talk by Sub Dean, Canon Leigh Richardson. 
12.15pm-2.45pm - open Tower Porth-y-Twr - Bell Tower - bell ringing demonstrations 
1pm-1.45pm - open Tower Porth-y-Twr - visit to see carved Celtic Christian crosses in Lapidarium.
2pm-3pm - Open Doors public tour of rarely seen parts of cathedral. 
3pm-4pm - Cadw Open Doors free guided tour of Bishops Palace

Sunday 27 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 - Cadw Open Doors free guided tour of Bishops Palace
11am - Cathedral Choral Eucharist 
1pm-2pm - Open Doors public tour of rarely seen parts of cathedral.
4pm - Choral Evensong with joint Cathedral Choirs of St Davids and Llandaff, including presentation of Michaelmas caps as during the visit of Henry II in 1171. 

Tuesday 29 September, Michaelmas Day 
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 in Cathedral 
1pm-2pm - Open Doors free public tour of St Davids Cathedral as Henry II would have visited it on Michaelmas Day 1171, after the murder of Thomas Becket.
3pm - Cadw Open Doors free guided tour of Bishops Palace
4pm - Choral Evening Prayer, with Cathedral Choral Scholars

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).

You do not need to book.