Britain’s tiniest city is smaller than a village – with world-famous beaches and island hopping
FROM world-class beaches and wildlife-watching tours to gothic ruins and insect restaurants, the UK’s smallest city certainly packs an almighty punch.
And with just 1,600 residents living in St David’s in Wales, it really is tiny.
Travel guide writer Peter, who wrote the book Bright Lights, Big Cities, told Sun Online Travel: “St David’s has the smallest population of any UK city, although it actually covers quite a large area because of the surrounding countryside.
“It’s the perfect example of a tiny city, with little to suggest it’s a city at first glance.
“It’s more like a large village than a city… travel here in the off-season and you’ll get to appreciate the village feel and enjoy the solitude of a walk on the beach or clifftops.”
St David’s was granted city status back in the 12th century thanks to its dusky purple sandstone cathedral.
Following a local government restructuring, St David’s lost its status as a city in 1886 – although it was renamed a city in 1994 at the request of Queen Elizabeth II.
One of Wales‘ most iconic religious sites, St David’s Cathedral is tucked away in a sheltered vale beside the River Alun.
St David’s Cathedral is open to the public every day, although opening times differ.
Entry is free but a £5 donation is encouraged.
The Gothic ruins of the Bishop’s Palace lie on the opposite bank of the river from the cathedral, with open-air theatre performances running throughout the summer months.
World-class beaches
Because the city has a large boundary, it’s technically home to several world-class beaches like Caerfai Beach and Whitesands Beach.
Lying just two miles west of St Davids, the award-winning Whitesands Beach is a hugely popular spot with surfers thanks to its clean waves and swell.
Because of its stunning expanse of pure white sand, the Welsh beach is also popular with bathers too, with the local community hosting a bracing dip at the beach on New Year’s Day.
Boat trips also operate from the small tidal harbour of St Justinians to the wild offshore islands of Ramsey, Grassholm, Skomer, Skokholm.
One-hour tours operate around Ramsey Island RSPB Nature Reserve where holidaymakers will be on the hunt for Atlantic Grey Seals, Harbour Porpoises and sea birds.
Meanwhile, tours around Skomer Island Nature Reserve last two hours where day-trippers will be able to see one of the largest Puffin Colonies in the UK.
Other tours such as dolphin voyages also operate from St David’s, leaving visitors spoilt for choice.
And for those who like to hike, there’s also the Pembrokeshire Coastal Path.
The 186-mile route connects seaside viewpoints from across Pembrokeshire, with part of the route slicing through St David’s.
Food and drink
St David’s is also home to the first full-time edible insect restaurant in the UK.
Part of a larger attraction called the Bug Farm, which looks into the advantages of using insects as a food source. It’s certainly not a bushtucker trial.
Insect-based dishes include Spiced cumin & mealworm hummus, Mixed insect pakoras and a bug bolognese.
Plant-based dishes are also available to order for those diners who’ve watched too much I’m a Celebrity Get Me Out of There.
There are plenty of pubs in St David’s too, including the Farmers Arms where punters will be able to grab a pint of ale next to a large open fire.
Set in west Wales, St David’s is a two-hour drive from Swansea, and a three-hour drive from Cardiff, the Welsh capital.
And holidaymakers from Ireland can reach the seaside city on a passenger ferry from Rosslare too.
Visitors will need to take a ferry from Rosslare to Fishguard, which takes three and a half hours and costs £44 per person for a one-way ticket.
Last week, Peter explained why Brits should visit Salford – tiny cultural powerhouse on the outskirts of Greater Manchester.
And we’ve recently revealed our favourite spots for a September break.
What's it like to visit St David's?
LAST summer, Sun journalist David Firth visited St David’s, here’s what he thought about his trip to the smallest city in the UK.
“As the frisbee arced above the golden beach beneath a cloudless sky, I breathed in the salty air. This was paradise.
“A picture of these unspoilt sands — backed by dunes sprouting grassy tufts swaying in the breeze — could fool anyone into thinking I was on my own private island.
“I was, however, in Wales — on the Pembrokeshire coast, at Whitesands Beach near St Davids — voted one of the world’s 20 best beaches.
“It was just a 25-minute stroll from our base, the incredible Penrhiw Priory cottage, set in ten beautiful acres full of wonderful woodland walks.
“The cottage had ample space for our party of six.
“A ten-minute drive away is Solva harbour, ripe for crab-collecting at low tide, while St Davids — Britain’s smallest city with only 1,600 residents — is a ten-minute walk and worth a visit for the belting cathedral.
“But once you have nodded earnestly at the incredible architecture and said, “Isn’t it beautiful?” a few times, also check out St Davids’ Bishops Palace next door.
“It is now derelict, with all sorts of nooks, crannies, spiral staircases and underground rooms to investigate — and the children loved it, especially the treasure-hunt element which kept them fully engaged all the way round.”
You can read more about David’s trip to Wales, here.