St Davids, Porthgain and Abereiddi's Blue Lagoon

The first stop on today's road trip itinerary is St David's Bishop Palace – a magnificent medieval ruin set in the heart of Britain's smallest city. The remains of the Bishops of St Davids principle palace are located alongside the cathedral in the tranquil valley of the river Alun. This would have been the finest collection of buildings in Wales during the medieval period. This beautiful, ancient site, which was once a centre of pilgrimage, is well worth a visit during your time in St Davids. For more information about St Davids Bishop's Palace, visit the official website.
Opening times: Monday to Sunday 9:30am - 6pm

Now, it's time for lunch. Make your way to Pebbles Yard, a popular cafe and espresso bar found in the centre of the city. This charming little lunch spot also doubles up as an art gallery space, showcasing the work of freelance photographer and writer, Jacki Sime. You'll also come across work from various artists in a number of different mediums ranging from photography to paintings and pottery to jewellery. At the cafe, you can expect freshly ground Italian coffee, homemade soups, made-to-order sandwiches using locally baked bread, and delicious homemade cakes.
Opening times: Monday to Sunday 10am - 5pm

After lunch, take a short drive to the small coastal hamlet of Porthgain, which is located on the north coast of St Davids Peninsula. Previously a commercial harbour used for exporting stone from the nearby quarry, Porthgain is now one of Pembrokeshire’s beloved tourist destinations. Porthgain translates to ‘Chisel Port’ in English, which is a nod to its history – representing the quarrying that once took place here. You’ll find this picturesque fishing port within the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park, just seven miles outside of the city. Upon arrival, you can leave your car at Porthgain's gravel car park which you'll find in the centre of the small village. After taking a short stroll around the harbour, follow the coastal path by foot from Porthgain to Abereiddi’s famous Blue Lagoon, taking in the gorgeous scenery as you walk.
For more information about the route, head to the National Trust website.

You'll find the beautiful, deep blue water of Pembrokeshire's Blue Lagoon just north of the beach in Abereiddy Bay. This former slate quarry was abandoned and flooded in 1910 and now serves as a popular spot for coasteering and climbing. The slate gives a brilliant aqua blue colour to the water, which is of course, where the iconic Blue Lagoon finds its name. Walk along the clifftops or take a dip in the sea (though be sure to take care, as the water is deep and pretty chilly). Encompassed by stunning beaches and rugged rocks, this well-known landmark certainly isn't one to miss.

Just a short walk away from the Blue Lagoon, you'll pass by Abereiddy Bay, a quiet, sheltered beach and a true hidden gem. Though Abereiddy Bay is quite small itself (a little less than 100 metres wide), it offers beautiful views of the surrounding wild coastline. Spend some time here this afternoon getting lost in a book on the rocks or tucking into an ice cream from the nearby kiosk.

Next, it's time to sit down for an early dinner at Porthgain's little harbour side bistro, The Shed. Here, you can expect relaxed and informal dining and a tasty menu offering locally caught fish and shellfish, which is landed daily and freshly served within hours. After a full day of sightseeing and coastal walking, what could be better than a hearty portion of fish and chips?
To book a table in advance, head to the official website.

Situated in the heart of rural Pembrokeshire, only nine miles away from the stunning coast, Wolfscastle Country Hotel and Spa offers luxury accommodation and exquisite fine dining. You'll find the hotel on the edge of the castle-topped hamlet of Wolf’s Castle (nestled between Haverfordwest and Fishguard) in a spectacular Georgian manor house. It's been described, in fact, as the 'Welsh romantic hotel of the year'. Indulge in a peaceful and luxurious night's sleep here, putting your feet up and resting your head before another exciting day of exploring tomorrow.