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 3 days in September 2024, St Davids Cathedral holds a joint programme with the magnificant, neighbouring medieval Bishops Palace, now managed by Cadw. Programme includes Tours of the Cathedral that are free but need to be booked; 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; Celtic Christian stone carved crosses from before the Cathedral was built ­ and much more. And don't miss tea and Welsh Cakes in the former St Mary's College Chapel.

SATURDAY 21st September

9.30am - Bishops Palace opens for public visiting 

10am–12noon - Erw Dewi Community Garden open for visiting and volunteering.

10am-11am -  Tour of the Cathedral, meet in south nave aisle

11am-1.30pm - Cathedral Library open

11.30am-12.15pm – Visits to Organ Loft, meet in south transept

2pm -  Guided visit to 14th century Porth y Tŵr

2.30pm-3pm - Visits to Organ Loft, meet in south transept

3pm - Guided Tour of Bishops Palace

The day will include a range of tours and visits to rarely seen parts of the Cathedral. These will include: medieval wall paintings; 14^th century carved oak Quire; historic library; organ loft; last remaining 14^th century gatehouse; Erw Dewi Community Garden in Cathedral Close. The programme will also link in with guided tours to the medieval Bishops Palace adjacent to the Cathedral.   

SUNDAY 22nd September
9.30am - Bishops Palace opens for public visiting 

9.30am - Cymun y Plwyf, Capel Mair (Communion service in Welsh)

11am - Choral Eucharist in Cathedral nave, with full Cathedral Choir. All welcome.

12.30pm-3.45pm - Cathedral Library open

1pm-2pm - Guided Tour of Cathedral, meet in south nave aisle

3pm – Guided Tour of Bishops Palace

4pm - Choral Evensong sung by Cathedral Choir in Cathedral nave. All welcome.

The day will include a range of tours and visits to rarely seen parts of the Cathedral. These will include: medieval wall paintings; 14^th century carved oak Quire; historic library; organ loft; last remaining 14^th century gatehouse; Erw Dewi Community Garden in Cathedral Close. The programme will also link in with guided tours to the medieval Bishops Palace adjacent to the Cathedral. There will also be a Choral Evensong at 4pm sung by St Davids Cathedral Choir.

SUNDAY  29 September 

9.30am - Bishops Palace opens for public visiting 

10am-12 noon - Erw Dewi Community Garden open for visiting and volunteering.

11.00am - Choral Eucharist (Communion) for Michaelmas, held in St Davids Cathedral nave. All welcome.

12 noon - Guided Tour of Bishops Palace 

1pm-2pm - Tour of Cathedral, considering the visit of disgraced King Henry II on 29th September 1171 after the murder of St Thomas Becket. 

2pm-3pm - Cathedral Library open to public

3pm - Guided Tour of Bishops Palace

4pm - Choral Evensong, sung by Cathedral choir in Bishops Palace. 

The days will include a range of tours and visits to rarely seen parts of the Cathedral. These will include: medieval wall paintings; 14^th century carved oak Quire; historic library; organ loft; last remaining 14^th century gatehouse; Erw Dewi Community Garden in Cathedral Close. The programme will also link in with guided tours to the medieval Bishops Palace adjacent to the Cathedral. There will also be a Choral Evensong sung by St Davids Cathedral Choir.

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).