St Davids Bishop's Palace - Castles of Wales

Visit St Davids Bishop's Palace and Get Your Cadw Explorer Pass to Visit 20 Historic Monuments in Wales

Your key to unlock Wales' greatest castles, in one ticket!

The Castles of Wales Explorer Pass offers the freedom to explore all of Cadw's historic attractions and help you get the most out of your visit to Wales. 

• Entry to 20 Welsh castles and attractions (see additional info for full list)
• Visit as many castle as you want
• Choice of either the 3 day pass or 7 day pass (the 3 day pass gives you 3 days of entrance and is valid for a 7 day period. The 7 day pass gives you 7 days of entrance, valid for 14 days)
• Save lots of money!

Book your Castle of Wales Explorer Pass by tapping 'Book' on this page. Once booked, your pass will be sent to you by email. Show this pass upon entry to all attractions either on your device or print if you prefer.

One of the most important churches in Wales

A trip to St Davids Bishop's Palace in the city of St Davids, Pembrokeshire, will have you falling in love with this fantastic place. Take a nice relaxing stroll, with the birds singing in the trees, around the 14th-century home of the powerful bishops of St Davids.

You'll ask yourself why you didn't come across this place a long time ago as you admire one of the most unique pieces - the incredible chequerboard stonework, with patterns of quartz.

Hear the wind whistling across the Gothic-style stones that were designed between 1328-47 by Bishop Henry de Gower. Smell the fresh grass while you walk through the Palace walls.

Be sure to see the highly decorated and finished parts of the ruined building and the beautiful river Alun that runs alongside. Don't miss the great hall porch and the perfect arcaded parapet - two stunning pieces of architecture.

You can even bring your pooch along for the day - as long as they're on a lead, they can explore the ground floor levels with you.

Unwrap your delicious homemade sandwiches as you take a seat at the picnic table and tuck into your tasty feast once you're done exploring.

A 12th-century pope's recommendation

These ancient stones were very important to thousands of people who came and visited St Davids as it became the focus of pilgrimages for the Western world.

One 12th-century pope actually claimed that two trips to St Davids are equal to one trip to Rome.

Magnificent monuments

There are only a few walls left at St Non’s Chapel which carries an important holy and cultural history as it's the 6th-century birthplace of St David, patron saint of Wales. Just a short walk from St Davids town centre, this is a place worth visiting.

Smell the earth around you as you hear the sea frothing and crashing at the rocky coastline above St. Non's Bay. Stay awhile and appreciate the superb views out to sea.

Feel the simple, small chapel welcoming you as birds fly above you and flap their wings around you. To this day, this place remains one of pilgrimage.

Finish your day of adventure off with a trip to St Davids town for a frothy cup of coffee.

What other Cadw attractions can I visit with the Castles of Wales Pass? 

• Beaumaris Castle, Anglesey
• Blaenavon Ironworks, Torfaen
• Caerleon Roman Baths, Newport
• Caernarfon Castle, Gwynedd
• Caerphilly Castle, Caerphilly
• Carreg Cennen Castle, Carmarthenshire
• Castell Coch, Cardiff
• Chepstow Castle, Monmouthshire
• Cilgerran Castle, Pembrokeshire
• Conwy Castle, Conwy
• Criccieth Castle, Gwynedd
• Denbigh Castle, Denbighshire
• Harlech Castle, Gwynedd
• Kidwelly Castle, Carmarthenshire
• Laugharne Castle, Carmarthenshire
• Oxwich Castle, Swansea
• Plas Mawr Elizabethan Town House, Conwy
• Raglan Castle, Monmouthshire
• Rhuddlan Castle, Denbighshire
• Rug Chapel, Denbighshire
• St Davids Bishop's Palace, Pembrokeshire
• Tintern Abbey, Monmouthshire
• Tretower Court and Castle, Powys
• Valle Crucis Abbey, Denbighshire
• Weobley Castle, Swansea