ThingsToDoCathedral, palace and a city lunch →
A history-focused day in the valley below St Davids. Check cathedral visiting times and choose a suitable approach before setting the order.
Medieval power beside the cathedral / ST DAVIDS
St Davids Bishop’s Palace
Explore the ruined palace across from the cathedral to see how the medieval bishops lived and received important guests. Decorative stonework, the large courtyard and surviving halls contrast with the cathedral’s continuing religious life. It is a separate Cadw attraction with paid admission, and much of the visit is open to the weather.
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Before you go
Pair it with the cathedral when you want a history-focused day, but bring a waterproof and choose the ground-level or stair routes that suit you. The palace is not a fully indoor museum.
The practical details
- Where to find it
- The Close, St Davids SA62 6PE
Directions and arrival information ↗ - Tickets and booking
- Ordinary adult admission is paid; Cadw members and eligible disabled visitors with a companion have free entry under current terms. Buy on arrival or online, checking non-refundable online terms. Seasonal hours shorten in winter; last entry is before closing. There is no palace café, so plan lunch elsewhere.
- Access and getting around
- The visitor-centre entrance route is flat and even. Bedded-gravel courtyard paths suit wheelchairs and buggies, with much to see at ground level. Some vaults have steps and the upper floor requires a flight of stairs with handrails. There is an accessible toilet reached by a ramp; Merrivale parking is about 300 metres away with gradients.
Official access information ↗ - Visiting with children
- Use the courtyard and accessible interpretation as a shorter route, and supervise near historic steps and masonry. Under-fives have free admission on the current tariff; older children need a ticket. Baby changing is available, and a picnic can replace another indoor stop if weather permits.
Practical information checked 15 September 2026. Confirm anything essential to your visit with the venue.
Make it part of your day
Allow 1–1½ hours for the visit, plus travel and breaks. This is a suggested planning allowance; opening times, access and availability may affect your plans.
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