UK's smallest city with more history than anywhere else and unique selling point

The UK's smallest city is actually just a quaint village sitting in Pembrokeshire on the Welsh coast, steeped in history and surrounded by natural beauty.

St David's is a cathedral city named after Wales's patron saint, Saint David, and the home of his final resting place. It was traditionally given city status thanks to its grand cathedral, thought to be built between 1180 and 1182, and remains a lesser-known coastal gem amongst UK travellers.

But, for those willing to drive a few hours through the sweeping green hills of Wales, right on the edge of the west coast, you'll be surprised with just how much this tiny town has to offer. History is at the forefront of St Davids' charm, as the home of one of Wales’ most iconic religious sites and a place of pilgrimage for centuries.

The cathedral is free to roam for tourists, and the grounds make for an idyllic stroll on a sunny day. While the religious site sees a number of visitors throughout the year, you would expect the area to be a lot larger and a whole lot busier, but it continues to keep much of its subtle charm.

Away from the historical sites of the cathedral and the original gothic ruins of Bishop's Palace, St Davids offers a whole load of beautiful walks and swim spots for the nature-lovers out there. Not only is it a quaint, cobbled town, but it's also home to a beautiful stretch of beach, cliff-side walks and hikes.

Whitesands Beach is the main stretch of fine white sands in the area, curving north towards the head of St Davids and acting as a well-known surfing spot in the country. Perfect for days spent building sandcastles, soaking up the sun, or going for a swim. For the more adventurous of visitors, windsurfing and kayaking are popular activities.

An impressed TripAdvisor review claims: "What an absolutely phenomenal beach. The beach itself is so clean; the water was crystal clear, and there was no seaweed. You can go out for quite a way, and it was just unbelievable.

"The family loved it and couldn't believe how quiet it was, and even when it got a little busier later in the day, it was still so pleasant, and this is all before the walks. The mountain walks around the beach were quite simply breathtaking. Some lovely places tucked away; we even found a cove we had all to ourselves."

To escape even further into the natural beauty of Pembrokeshire, there's a hidden beach known as Porthmelgan Beach, just a 20-minute walk from Whitesands Bay. The slightly more secluded spot offers sands just as white but can be expected to be far more quiet, with no car parks, cafes or surfers in sight.

Another stunning spot made up of turquoise blue waters and rocky surroundings is the Blue Lagoon, around a 20-minute drive away from the city's centre, with a spacious car park. This is the ultimate place for a tranquil dip, a calming kayak or even a slightly more daring cliff dive, with picturesque views of the coast.

Back into the cobbled streets of the pretty city lie a small number of pubs that are soon filled up in the summer with punters grasping their post-walk pints. They often have live music featured in the evenings, providing a great atmosphere, and serve classic pub grub – but it's important to note that without pre-booking, you may struggle to find a comfy spot.

Like any coastal town, St Davids has plenty of ice cream shops and a handful of independent businesses and bigger brands based in the city centre. So when the coastal walks become second nature, a wander through the streets and an amble through the shops may offer a breath of fresh air.