St Davids Peninsula and Ramsey Island

Geologically old rocks, mainly Pre-Cambrian and Cambrian, with later igneous intrusions have formed St Davids Peninsula and Ramsey Island at the north west end of the Pembrokeshire coastal plateau.

Summary

_{Copyright Skyscan for Cadw: Welsh Historic Monuments}

Ref number: HLW (D) 4

OS map: Landranger 157

Unitary authority: Pembrokeshire

The area contains relict evidence of land use, ritual and religious activity from the prehistoric period onwards, continuing into the Christian era as Dewisland, home and territory of St David (Dewi Sant), the patron saint of Wales. Here possibly is one of the most culturally significant and esteemed landscapes in Wales today.

The 'city', Cathedral and surrounding area are today one of the leading tourist attractions in Wales, with all the attendant problems as well as opportunities for the local economy.

A full published description for this landscape area is available as a pdf download within the Related Articles section below.

Principal area designations:

The area is entirely within the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park. St Davids Peninsula is within the Preseli Environmentally Sensitive Area. The area includes: Ramsey Island, St Davids Airfield Heaths, St Davids Peninsula Coast and Ramsey Island Sites of Special Scientific Interest; St Davids Bishop Palace Guardianship Site; Carn Llidi hut circles and ancient enclosures, St Davids Cathedral close Scheduled Ancient Monuments; St Davids Conservation Area.

Criteria: 2, 5

Contents and significance:

A peninsula and island situated on the north west end of the Pembrokeshire coastal plateau, containing extensive and well-preserved evidence of land use and intense ritual and religious activity from the prehistoric period onwards.

The area includes:

Neolithic chambered tombs and settlement; Iron Age forts, field systems; Menevia, the early medieval cult centre of St David; St Davids Cathedral, close and 'city' and their settings which are of continuing supreme cultural significance and importance in Wales as Dewisland.