Our performance venues.
St Davids Bishop's Palace
In the beautiful Cathedral Close in St Davids, the Bishop's Palace is a jewel in Cadw's crown. It has been a dramatic and atmospheric ruin for a lot longer than it was a working building. With its unique arches standing against the sky and its tranquil courtyard, it is a wonderful place for a visit at any time of year. It was built in the thirteenth and fourteenth centuries by a series of powerful bishops, but the one who influenced the building we see today most was undoubtedly Bishop Henry Gower. It was he who was responsible for the graceful and unifying arched parapet around the building. We are lucky enough on some clear nights to see the moon shining through those arches. There are excellent exhibitions in the Palace which tell the story of its history, though these are not open on performance nights.
Festival Arts is continually grateful to the Curator of the Bishop's Palace, Amanda Canby-Lewis, and her staff. They are unfailingly supportive and work hard to make us welcome and to smooth our way each year. Our warm thanks also go to CADW for all their support.
Parking information
There is restricted parking at the main entrance to the Bishop's Palace in the Cathedral Close but this is reserved for disabled visitors only.
However there are several carparks nearby in St Davids. Merrivale carpark on Pitt St is especially convenient for the Bishop's Palace being located just a short walk away.
The Bishop's Palace is located right next to St Davids Cathedral and can be seen from the centre of St Davids. It is a short and pleasant walk down the hill past the Cathedral (although it is quite a steep hill!)
Please note that the Cathedral close is a residential area and we ask that you please leave as quietly as possible.
Mathry Community Hall
Mathry is a small hill-top village situated on the A487 between Fishguard and St Davids. Its historic roots can be traced back to the Iron Age when the village would then have been a defensive fort, positioned perfectly for early sightings of enemy approach. This strategic vantage point affords it fine views of the St Davids Peninsula that can be enjoyed from various spots throughout the village.
This welcoming rural community has been the off-stage home of Festival for the last 20 years. Members of the company camp on a local farm while the well-equipped community hall provides living accommodation. In more recent years the performance space in the hall has started to play host to our popular family musical play. It is always lovely to welcome familiar local faces to our shows each year.
As well as its 19th Century Church, the village has a number of other attractions including its public house, The Farmers Arms, which serves a variety of locally sourced beers alongside its lunch time and evening menus. You’ll also find the Siop Fach Tearoom and Collectables in the village, which opened in 2014. There’s a tea room with a variety of food and drinks, together with a shop selling a wide range of collectables.
Parking Information
There is a small carpark on site at Mathry Community Hall. There is also street parking locally. If you are disabled and would like a parking space reserved near the entrance please let us know nearer the time by calling 01348 837 034, or by using the CONTACT US page listed in the menu above or by emailing festivalartsuk@gmail.com
Although we have never experienced anything but goodwill from our neighbours in the local Mathry community we ask that people leave the venue in a quiet and respectful manner.