In a world of rejuvenating spa treatments and facial injections promising everlasting youth, it’s easy to forget that natural elixirs of health and beauty do still exist. At St Non’s chapel there is a holy well which does just that. Indeed, the mystic and spiritual sensibilities of St Non’s will revitalise the weary walker and allow them to continue their trek with vim and vigour.

Although this ancient chapel is now just a skeleton of its former self, there’s so much more to explore at the site of St Non’s and it’s always a pilgrimage we, as a family, love to take while holidaying at Yewdale Cottage. “And did those feet, in ancient times…” is a phrase that springs to mind as one is invited to imagine all the many lives who have lived and worshipped at St Non’s through the decades, centuries and millennia.

As well as the afore mentioned holy well, where visitors are invited to rub the water into body parts which require healing, there are the standing stones which are believed to be a pagan (are there any other types of standing stones?) place of worship long before Pontius Pilate did a naughty in Judaea.

Also, you’ll find a modern chapel built in 1934 by Cecil Morgan-Griffiths, a solicitor from Carmarthen.

St Non’s can be found on a spectacular coastal walk that our annual family holiday always involves. Starting in St Davids city centre, you walk out to Caerfai Bay, a beautiful and secluded little beach. From there you walk around the coastline until you stumble upon the unassuming remains of St Non’s Chapel. We’ll often eat some peanuts at this point. From here you can head back inland or the hardened walker can continue on round to Whitesands bay.

If all this sounds like just what the doctor ordered, do consider a short break or long stay in Yewdale cottage, St Davids.

Pembrokeshire and St Davids are special places for all manner of extreme sports. But one clearly dominates above all. And that, of course, is surfing. Most locals will have found themselves on a board of some kind within the first few years of their lives and, from the multitude of surf shacks and board shops, it is clear that surfing is a much loved pastime in West Wales.

Everyone’s got their favourite beach to run unapologetically into the swell with a wetsuit and a surf board but for us here at Yewdale, it absolutely has to be Whitesands. One of the great things about this surf spot is that it suits all ages and skill levels and, at peak times, will always have a lifeguard presence so you can guarantee safety for you and your family.

As well as this, wetsuit and board hire can be often found on Whitesands so you don’t have to lug boards from St Davids down to the beach and can simply return them once you are done.

The waves on Whitesands vary but are often relatively tame which is absolutely perfect for surfers who are still cutting their teeth somewhat. But do watch out because it can also be an immensely rough coastline when the wind picks up and the water starts to swell.

Yewdale cottage is just a quick walk from Whitesands which, for our money, is one of the most beautiful coastlines in West Wales. From Whitesands you can explore all manner of coastal paths and it’s a mainstay for all holiday-makers. And if you do want to spice up your beach frolics, then you should absolutely grab a board and go running out into the sea.

It’s never too late to start a new hobby. And what better place to do it than on holiday?

Coasteering in St Davids is a must if you are on a family holiday with kids, or even a boozy weekend with the girls. There’s nothing quite like waking up at the crack of dawn, showering in your gorgeous holiday cottage, slipping into a wetsuit and heading down to St Davids amazing coastline for an early morning battle with the salty waves.

You truly get a different perspective of Pembrokeshire’s beautiful coastline when you are bobbing about in the – at first cold, but then deliciously warm – ocean. And the feeling of achievement at the end of it is a catharsis that all should enjoy. You never feel freer than when you are in water and coasteering offers a range of dare-devil activities to do so your experience is not just calm and placid but exhilarating and exciting.

Coasteering in West Wales is truly a Jack-of-all-trades sort of pursuit. You can be rock climbing one minute, abseiling the next, and then you’re in the salty foam and swimming from cove to cove before climbing out so you can leap into the water once more. If you’re a family on holiday with grumpy teenagers who only want to stare at their devices, we guarantee that by the end of the session you will feel just a little bit closer. Because it’s almost impossible not to have fun when you are coasteering in St Davids.

A brief walk from Yewdale Cottage, our cozy and beautiful holiday let, you will find TYF in St Davids city centre. They are very experienced and would love to take you on a summer or winter adventure in 2024. It’s something that any break in West Wales urgently demands and we cannot recommend it highly enough.

It’s things like coasteering that make St Davids, Pembrokeshire such a special place to visit.

St Davids is fast moving away from the Victorian tea room and into contemporary, fun and relaxed dining experiences. And no more so than at Grain – a pizzeria with a difference. Although it uses ancient Italian techniques to make its fantastic creations, Grain has a wholly Welsh facing ethos.

On the menu you’ll find pizzas named ‘Y Ddraig Goch’ (Welsh Dragon), ‘Land of my Fathers’ and ‘Strumble Head’. Grain uses toppings such as smoked mackerel, Pant y Sgawn goats cheese and Trealy farm Nduja to make an authentic Italian experience feel truly Welsh. And of course, you can wash down all these glorious carb-hits with local ciders and beers.

This plucky little welsh pizzeria has caused a real stir in the local area and boasts an almost faultless 5 stars out of 5 stars on any reviewing platform as well as a very flattering write up in The Times. Their warm and welcoming demeanour and a very unpretentious style means the eating experience is always relaxed and fun-loving. However, with some of the seating outside, do make sure you wrap up warm if it’s a chilly night. But of course the el fresco experience does come with its benefits. Dogs are encouraged to join in the fun. Just keep an eye on them as the smells might just cause them to take a wholesome bite when no one is looking.

If you can’t get to Grain in St Davids then fear not. For another restaurant has also opened in Carmarthen, Pembrokeshire, about a 40 minute drive from St Davids.

And Grain is only about a 5 minute walk from Yewdale Cottage, a perfect place to spend a scorching summer holiday or a cozy winter break in West Wales.

And you kneed not worry about Grain. If they keep doing their thing, they’ll be rolling in dough.

St Davids cathedral has to be one of the most spectacular and beautiful man made structures in Great Britain. Founded in the sixth century by, you guessed it, St David, this incredible ancient building appears out of a valley as you walk out of St Davids and towards the picturesque coastline and beaches. Pembrokeshire is host to all manner of idiosyncratic medieval castles but St Davids cathedral is truly the jewel in the crown of West Wales.

After Pope Callixtus II visited this incredible monument, it was stated that two visits to St Davids was equal to one of Rome. Among its many wonderful sights is a magnificent organ, stunning stained glass, ornate ceilings, a sublime treasury, a huge library a 15-foot-high gatehouse and bell tower.

Yewdale cottage offers incredible views of the cathedral and is literally a stone’s throw from this medieval masterpiece. Just a two minute walk down stone steps will take you to right outside this historical masterpiece. Inside you will find a wonderful gift shop and a cracking cafe for a coffee and piece of cake. Employees of the cathedral are extremely friendly and will happily answer any questions you have about the historical or spiritual significance of the building and its surrounding area.

Regular concerts take place here and attendance is most definitely a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Just being able to hear the gorgeous acoustics and the reflective quality of the stone is an all-consuming sound bath you will never forget. Also, there are the regular services, just like any other working church, and at any one of these you will be warmly welcomed, whether religious or not.

Yewdale Cottage is a wonderfully cozy and special holiday let to enjoy all that St Davids cathedral has to offer. So please do consider us when you come to book your next summer – or winter – holiday. West Wales – and in particular Pembrokeshire – is such as special place to visit on holiday. We guarantee a fantastic and illuminating time for all!