Boxing Day is a significant holiday in nearly every other English-speaking country, except for the United States. I always knew it as a day to watch every Premier League team play. I also knew it as a day when there would not be many people out and about. Or at least, that is what I thought I knew.
It would seem that many other people in neighbouring towns had the same inkling that we had. In that, they also wanted to get out, take a stroll somewhere, and have a meal at a pub or restaurant. My partner had told me about St. Davids, the cathedral, and the town, and she mentioned how beautiful the area is. So, naturally, we made our way out there with minimal resistance in the form of traffic or people.
After circling the centre of town looking for a car park of any kind, we eventually found one. And let me tell you, if you are looking for a quaint Welsh village with curb appeal around every corner, this could be your spot. The Christmas lights were strung across the streets, and the weather was just on the right side of damp before edging into wet territory, which made for an eerie but pleasantly atmospheric setting.
Finding the cathedral is not hard. There are signs all over the streets leading you in the proper direction. And reader, let me tell you, the walk in (it’s downhill, so it’s nice [more on that at the exit]) opens up to a rather stunning view of the church. I didn’t think it would be as massive as it actually is. With the fog and clouds so low, it added another level of mystery and brought out that truly Medieval quality the building evokes.
Walking around the grounds and inside the church itself really reminded me of the church that I used to frequent as a child. Although to a much lesser degree, I could see where my hometown church might have drawn inspiration. I could see it in the stonework, the stained glass, and the tower. Beyond that, St Davids blows that one out of the water.
The people who work there and operate the cathedral on a day-to-day basis have done an excellent job maintaining the grounds. It was an enjoyable way to spend an afternoon. Accessing living history is something that one should not take for granted. Although some structures on the grounds have become ruins, it is essential to preserve and visit them.
It’s super cliche for me to write, but access to our past helps us inform our future, even in this instance. These are architectural marvels, given how long they have stood and how long they continue to stand.
Continuing the self-guided tour outside, you are treated to more civil engineering work (bridges, walls, etc.), and you can see how big a footprint the church has. The old Bishops Palace stands in ruins, hollowed out by time. The sloped grounds are pretty massive. Numerous monuments and gravesites speckle the lot. You can even get a little something for yourself at the gift shop nearby.
After leaving the cathedral grounds, we made our way back up the slope. It’s a steady incline, but an incline nonetheless. Calves burned. A little perspiration was produced. But don’t worry, that was only because we were wearing large coats. Not because we were out of shape. With it being Boxing Day, we luckily found ourselves a pub that was open for a few more hours before we had to head back to the town of Llangwm.
John Kidde Writes 