The Best Things to Do in St Davids When It Rains
Let’s be honest.
This is Pembrokeshire. We can’t promise you sunshine every day.
But here’s the good news: a rainy day in St Davids doesn’t have to mean a day wasted.
In fact, some of our favourite days here are the slightly grey ones. The Cathedral feels even more atmospheric, the cafés become particularly inviting and the coastline can look wonderfully wild when the weather rolls in.
So, if you wake up in St Davids to the sound of rain on the window, don’t panic and don’t immediately reach for the car keys.
Here are some of our favourite ways to enjoy St Davids when the weather isn’t quite behaving.
1. Explore St Davids Cathedral
If there’s one place we’d recommend on a rainy day, it’s St Davids Cathedral.
Tucked into the valley beside the River Alun, the Cathedral is magnificent in any weather — but there is something particularly atmospheric about visiting when rain is falling outside.
Take your time looking at the architecture, the beautiful details and the peaceful interior.
The Cathedral is still a living place of worship as well as one of Pembrokeshire’s most important historic buildings, so allow yourself time simply to sit and enjoy the tranquillity.
Current general visiting hours are normally 10am–4pm Monday to Saturday and 1pm–3pm on Sundays, although it’s always worth checking before setting out as services and special events can affect visiting. (St Davids Cathedral)
And don’t forget to look around the Cathedral Close when the rain eases — you may find that the wet stone and greenery make the whole setting look even more beautiful.
2. Step back in time at the Bishop’s Palace
Immediately beside the Cathedral are the atmospheric ruins of St Davids Bishop’s Palace.
The Palace dates from the medieval period and gives you a fascinating glimpse into the wealth and importance of St Davids during the Middle Ages.
It is an open-air historic site, so this isn’t one for a torrential downpour — but on one of those typical Pembrokeshire days of showers and bright spells, it’s well worth combining with the Cathedral.
And if the rain arrives while you’re exploring?
That’s what waterproofs are for!
Cadw currently lists seasonal opening hours, with the Palace open throughout the year apart from its published Christmas and New Year closures. (Cadw)
3. Discover Oriel y Parc
If the weather really has settled in, head up into the city and spend some time at Oriel y Parc, the National Park Discovery Centre and gallery.
It is free to enter and houses changing exhibitions, including work from Amgueddfa Cymru – Museum Wales and local artists.
There’s also a café and shop, making it a particularly useful place to visit when you need to get out of the rain.
The National Park staff can also provide local information and help you plan the rest of your stay — which is rather useful if the weather forecast has suddenly changed your plans!
Oriel y Parc is open throughout the year, with seasonal opening hours. (Visit Pembrokeshire)
4. Go gallery hopping
One of the pleasures of St Davids is its collection of independent galleries, shops and makers.
Spend an hour or two wandering around the city and browsing the artwork, ceramics, jewellery and other locally made pieces.
You might even discover something to take home with you.
And there is no need to rush.
A rainy afternoon is the perfect excuse to wander from one shop to another, stop for coffee and see what catches your eye.
5. Have a very leisurely coffee
Sometimes the answer to a rainy day is remarkably simple.
Find a good café. Sit down. Order something delicious. And don’t look at the clock.
St Davids has a lovely café culture, with independent cafés offering coffee, cakes, lunches and Welsh treats.
If you’ve spent the previous day walking the Coast Path, this can be exactly what you need.
And if it is absolutely tipping it down outside?
Even better.
You have officially been given permission to sit there for another half an hour.
6. Make lunch the main event
A wet day is also a very good excuse for a long, leisurely lunch.
St Davids and the surrounding area have a range of places to eat, from casual cafés to restaurants and pubs.
Rather than trying to cram another attraction into your day, choose somewhere you fancy and make lunch part of the experience.
Take your time.
Order dessert.
You’re on holiday.
If you’re looking for ideas, our guide to where to eat in St Davids has some of our recommendations.
7. Brave the Coast Path — if the weather is right
Rain doesn’t automatically mean you have to abandon your walking plans.
Some of the most atmospheric coastal walks can happen under dramatic skies.
But this comes with an important qualification:
The Pembrokeshire Coast is beautiful, but it deserves respect.
If there is strong wind, poor visibility, rough seas or genuinely unpleasant conditions, choose something else.
If it’s simply a shower or two, put on your waterproofs and go.
A short walk can be incredibly rewarding when the clouds lift and the sun suddenly appears over the sea.
Our guide to the best short walks from St Davids is a good place to start.
8. Visit St Non’s
St Non’s Chapel and Well is one of the most atmospheric places around St Davids.
Traditionally associated with the birthplace of St David, the tiny chapel sits beside the coast south of the city.
It isn’t somewhere we’d necessarily recommend during a serious storm, but on a showery day it can be magical.
Watch the clouds moving across the sea, listen to the waves and enjoy the feeling of being somewhere very old and very peaceful.
Sometimes you don’t need an attraction with a roof to enjoy a rainy day.
9. Explore the shops
St Davids is small enough to explore on foot, and its independent shops make for an enjoyable wander when the weather is changeable.
Look out for local crafts, artwork, gifts, books and Welsh produce.
It is also a good way to support local businesses while you’re here.
And if you get caught in a shower between shops?
Duck into a café.
We’re beginning to sense a theme here.
10. Slow down at Ramsey House
And finally, perhaps the most important suggestion of all:
Don’t feel that you have to be doing something every minute of your holiday.
One of the great pleasures of staying in St Davids is being able to slow down.
Come back to Ramsey House after a morning exploring.
Make yourself a cup of tea.
Read a book.
Sit in the lounge.
Watch the rain come down over the garden.
And then, when the weather clears, head back out.
Sometimes that’s exactly what a holiday is supposed to be.
A rainy-day itinerary for St Davids
If you’re looking for an easy plan, here’s one of our favourites.
Morning
Start with St Davids Cathedral and the Bishop’s Palace.
If the weather is particularly wet, spend longer inside the Cathedral and take your time.
Late morning
Head back into the city for coffee and perhaps a wander around the independent shops and galleries.
Lunch
Make lunch a leisurely affair rather than something to squeeze in between activities.
Afternoon
Visit Oriel y Parc and explore the current exhibitions.
Then, if the rain has eased, take a short walk around the city or head towards the coast.
Evening
Come back to Ramsey House, dry off and relax before heading out for dinner.
By the end of the day, you may even find yourself secretly hoping for another rainy morning.
What should you pack for a holiday in St Davids?
Our advice is simple:
Pack for four seasons.
Even in summer, the Pembrokeshire coast can be windy and weather conditions can change quickly.
We’d recommend bringing:
- A genuinely waterproof jacket
- Comfortable walking shoes
- Layers
- A small backpack
- Sun cream
- A hat
- Water
- Something waterproof to protect your phone or camera
And don’t rely on the weather app giving you a perfect forecast.
Look out of the window too!
And remember: rain doesn’t mean your holiday is ruined
One of the things we love about living in St Davids is how quickly the weather can change.
A grey morning can become a beautiful afternoon.
A shower can pass in ten minutes.
And dramatic clouds over the Atlantic can make the coastline look even more spectacular.
So don’t let a rainy forecast put you off visiting.
Come prepared, take the day at a slower pace and embrace the fact that you’re in Pembrokeshire — one of the most beautiful corners of Wales, whatever the weather.
And if the rain does arrive?
There will always be a Cathedral, a gallery, a café, a good lunch and somewhere cosy to come back to.
Staying in St Davids
At Ramsey House Boutique B&B, we’re lucky to be right in the heart of St Davids, within easy reach of the Cathedral, city centre and beautiful coastline.
That means you can leave the car behind and explore at your own pace — and if the heavens open, you’re never far from somewhere warm and comfortable.
Because sometimes the perfect Pembrokeshire day isn’t the one where the sun shines all day.
Sometimes it’s the one where you get a little wet, discover somewhere beautiful, eat something delicious and come back to a warm welcome.
And tomorrow might be sunny.