St Davids Cathedral , Wales

The monastic community was founded by Saint David, Abbot of Menevia. Between AD645 and 1097, the community was attacked many times by raiders, including the Vikings, however it was of such note as both a religious and intellectual centre that King Alfred summoned help from the monastic community at St David's in rebuilding the intellectual life of the Kingdom of Wessex.

The present Cathedral was begun in 1181, and completed not long after. Problems beset the new building and the community in its infancy; the collapse of the new tower in 1220, and earthquake damage in 1247/48.

The dissolution of the Monarchy and the establishment of the Puritan Commonwealth under Oliver Cromwell had great effect on many Cathedrals and Churches, and this was particularly felt in St David's. The Cathedral was almost destroyed by Cromwell’s forces, and the lead stripped from the Bishop’s Palace roof.

The Welsh architect John Nash was commissioned to restore the West Front in 1793 to repair the damage done two hundred years previously but in less than a century the Nash West Front had become unstable, and the whole building was restored by George Gilbert Scott between 1862-70. The Lady Chapel was restored by public subscription in 1901, and the eastern chapels were restored through a legacy of the Countess of Maidstone between 1901-10.

The cathedral is still in active use today.

Opening Times

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Ticket Prices

No charge is made, but donations are welcome to help meet the ever increasing costs of supporting this Holy Place.

£4 from each adult visitor is needed just to keep our head above water.

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Disabled Facilities

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More Information

Email: info@stdavidscathedral.org.uk

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