The closest harbour to St Davids and your Yewdale holiday cottage is Porthclais. This is one of our absolute favourite places in Pembrokeshire. It’s just such a serene and thoughtful place. The sun glistens on the swell, creating the image of something out of a romantic painting. 

It’s a fantastic place for paddling and crabbing, something our family always love to do when we are in St Davids. So feel free to roll up those trouser legs, grab a bucket and see what Porthclais has to offer. 

There is also an amazing kiosk just a few metres away from the harbour. It sells very tasty ice cream and, for our money, the best coffee in the St David’s area. They really put so much care into their craft and there’s always a friendly face to greet you on arrival. 

Porthclais is also very dog-friendly.  On some of the better visited beaches, pooches are a no-no in the summer months. But here you can bring a dog along and they’ll absolutely love exploring the coastline and smelling the smells of this tiny fishing village. 

Also, from Porthclais you can go on a multitude of coastal walks for all levels of mobility. Our children love to run up the footpaths and enjoy the incredible view of the harbour from higher ground. The boats bobbing and the seabirds soaring is a truly mediative moment. 

When you’re in St Davids you absolutely must visit this charming little harbour. 

We hope you love it as much as we do! 

If you’re anything like us then when you’re on holiday you really can’t be fussed with the effort of cooking or going out to eat. You just want to relax in your holiday cottage with an indulgent feast.

So here’s our list of the best takeaway’s in St Davids, Pembrokeshire :

Losh’s Pasties

Halfway up the high street in St Davids you’ll find the unassuming Loch’s Pasties. But don’t be disarmed by its quiet, humble stature. This place is an absolute Mecca for all things pastry. We recommend highly the chicken, chorizo and bacon oggie (pasty to non Cornish folk) as a hearty snack which will warm the cockles after a seaside swim.

Peter’s Plaice

Just down from the wholesome delights of Loch’s Pasties is the local fish and chip shop. Peter’s Plaice is reassuringly busy and we would warn you to expect queues in the busy season. But it really is a fantastic takeaway option and the fish and chip portions are extremely generous and very much value for money.

Saffron Fine Indian Cuisine

Although also a great restaurant, Saffron offer mouth-watering takeaway food. And a curry is a perfect mouthful after a long day on the beach. Sit out in Yewdale’s private garden with views of St David’s cathedral and tuck into a hearty naan bread dipped in a creamy chicken tikka masala. Heaven.

As afore mentioned, it’s very busy over the summer months so with all of these options be prepared to queue. Or ring your order in if possible.

Caerfai Bay is the closest beach to Yewdale Cottage, St Davids and might be the most beautiful of all the gorgeous bays which dot the Pembrokeshire coastline. Many times, especially out of season, we find Caerfai almost deserted and it truly is lie having your own private beach – without the cost!

Caerfai is also dog friendly and your pooch can run along it and splash in the sea all year round whereas other beaches ask that dogs not access at busy times. There’s so much fun to be had rock-pooling with the youngsters as Caerfai is an incredibly safe beach. It’s totally enclosed so you can always keep an eye on little ones and their movements.

As mentioned before, Caerfai Bay is very close to Yewdale. It’s just a charming 10 minute walk down to the coastline. It’s definitely one of our families favourite beaches in St Davids, Pembrokeshire so whether you’re on a family holiday and looking for a safe environment or you want to climb the rocks around the coastline and jump in the sea, Caerfai Bay is the place to be.

For more information on Caerfai, or any places in Pembrokeshire, West Wales, click here.

There’s a reason our family has been coming to St Davids for generations. There’s truly no place like it in the world. And there’s just so much to discover. 

At Yewdale Cottage, on opening your curtains, you are immediately greeted by a spectacular view of one of the most beauteous cathedrals in the world. And as soon as you’ve grabbed a bite for breakfast, you can wander through the quiet country lanes to Whitesands, a beach which is pure paradise for sunbathers and snorkelers and surfers alike. 

St Davids has the warmth and intimacy of a village but all the events and exhibitions of a bustling metropolis. There’s often wonderful concerts in the cathedral and the amount of art galleries and artists who reside here proves just how magisterial this truly breathtaking area of natural beauty is. 

If you want a cozy cottage cwtch or a coasteering and kayaking caper, St Davids has got you covered. 

But please, don’t let us convince you. Come and see for yourself! 

St Davids Head :

Park at Whitesands Bay and head north on the public footpath. You will pass the spectacular Ram’s Head. This is an amazing vantage point to stare out across the ocean. As you make your way towards St David’s Head you will often see wild horses on the pathway. After gazing out to the sea from St David’s Head and hopefully spotting some seals, you can loop back round through beautiful countryside to your car.

Caerfai to St Nons :

Walk through St David’s City Centre and out to Caerfai. This is the most beautiful secluded bay. From there you can walk northerly and will eventually come to St Non’s Chapel. This is a breathtakingly beautiful building and a place etched with spiritual mysticism. From St Nons, you can head back into St Davids.

St Nons to Whitesands Bay :

Head out to St Non’s Chapel. You now have the most spectacular walk round to Whitesands with all manner of natural wonder to see along the way. This is my personal favourite as you are hit by the refreshing swell of the ocean as you walk down to Whitesands Bay.