This is the largest church in Wales. It was built in an isolated hollow and suddenly appears in spectacular fashion to anyone crossing the portal to reach the cathedral wall and the Episcopal palace. Pietro de Leia, a Florentine monk and third Norman bishop, began work in 1180. He is responsible for most of the cathedral, which reaches as far as the wall behind the main altar. The tower fell in 1220, ruining the transept and the choir.

The Pembrokeshire Peninsula abounds in megaliths and dolmens, such as the cromlech of Pentre Ifan. Christianity has also left its mark as can be seen inside St David's Cathedral (12C-13C) and Pembroke Castle. In 1952 the coastline was designated a National Park; it is the smallest National Park but also that with the most coastal scenery. It boasts a wonderful variety of beaches, some delightful seaside towns, such as Tenby, and a cliffline that is often as spectacular as Stacks Rocks.

Landward is a good stretch of the town walls, enclosing a characteristically intricate web of medieval streets, widening out at St Mary's, one of Wales' largest parish churches, with a 46 m-high spire. The Tudor Merchant's House, virtually unchanged, has Flemish fireplaces and period furniture.

Landward is a good stretch of the town walls, enclosing a characteristically intricate web of medieval streets, widening out at St Mary's, one of Wales' largest parish churches, with a 46 m-high spire. The Tudor Merchant's House, virtually unchanged, has Flemish fireplaces and period furniture.