St Dogmaels Village Guide Cardigan Bay

Poppit and Gwbert from St Dogmaels across the Teifi by Janet Baxter
Photo from St Dogmaels Poppit – ©Janet Baxter

St Dogmaels is a village and parish in Pembrokeshire, Wales, on the estuary of the River Teifi a short walk from Poppit Sands – one of many beaches along the Cardigan Bay and Pembrokeshire Coast

A mile downstream is the town of Cardigan. St Dogmaels has a small but useful supermarket and a number of public houses and restaurants including The White Hart – a community owned pub, The Ferry Inn with lots of outdoor seating above the water and The Teifi Waterside on the way to Poppit Sands. There are excellent facilities for launching boats, canoes and kayaks.

History of St Dogmaels

St Dogmaels village is famous for the remains of a 12th century Tironian St Dogmaels Abbey, which was in its day one of the richer monastic institutions in Wales. It was once a marcher borough, described in 1603 as one of five Pembrokeshire boroughs overseen by a portreeve. The Abbey has just received funding to develop its visitor centre and attract more tourists. The café is excellent!

Plays by Shakespeare are performed in the Abbey ruins annually in the summer – usually August. Some of the actors are from the local area, others come from all over Great Britain and return regularly. Tickets sell out quickly so look out for news of the next production.

The play in 2024 is ‘Cymbeline‘ Wed July 31st – Sat 3 August, 2024. With live music and spectacular stage effects, the Abbey Shakespeare Players’ 36th annual production by kind permission of the owner, at the Abbey. Numbers are limited.

The site’s owner Cadw: Welsh Historic Monuments, no longer permits community organisations to charge for tickets to their events. Instead you are asked to donate an amount of your choice. When you book, simply select as many ‘Free’ tickets as you need for your party. Tickets will be available nearer the time. Booking is free, but audiences are requested to make donations to cover costs and support local charities.

Please dress warmly. Seating is not provided – bring your own folding chairs.
St Dogmaels Abbey, St Dogmaels Pembrokeshire SA43 3DX

Posthumus and Imogen by John Faed

In 2022 The Times chose St.Dogmaels Pembrokeshire as one of the best places to live, and I would have to say to holiday. The village is twinned with the village of Trédarzec in Côtes-d’Armor, Brittany.

Pentre Ifan Neolithic burial chamber site
A short drive from St Dogmaels are the Preseli Hills (Mynyddoedd Preseli), a wide stretch of high moorland with many prehistoric monuments and the source of the bluestones used in the construction of Stonehenge in England. The dramatic Pentre Ifan Neolithic burial chamber is well worth a visit.

St Dogmaels Local producers market

Every Tuesday between 9am – 1pm – a chance for you to buy some local produce including vegetables, meats, cheese, vegetarian options, gluten free produce, fresh fish, cakes, breads, natural paints, crafts. etc This new and exciting market gives you the option to buy your weekly food locally. At the Coach House & Abbey St Dogmaels – by the Abbey

Walks around St Dogmaels including the Pembrokeshire and Ceredigion Coastal footpaths.