Daffodils for St Davids Day
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🏴 EDITORS PICK 🏴
EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT ST DAVID’S DAY
Sunday 1st March marks one of the most important dates in the Welsh calendar Dydd Gŵyl Dewi, or St David's Day. Here's why this day matters and how you can be part of it.
Quick summary below but worth reading the full article and history here
Keep reading the newsletter to find out your nearest St Davids Day event.
Who Was St David?
Dewi Sant, as he's known in Welsh, was born around 500 AD in Caerfai, Pembrokeshire. The very spot where St Davids Cathedral stands today.
Of noble blood, he reportedly descended from the royal house of Ceredigion, and some accounts even claim him as a nephew of the legendary King Arthur.
Despite his aristocratic roots, David chose a life of remarkable simplicity. He was a vegetarian and teetotaller.
A Celtic monk who ate only bread, herbs and vegetables, and drank only water.
He founded a monastic community at what is now St Davids, and his reputation as a teacher and spiritual leader spread across the Celtic world.
He is believed to have founded around 1,200 monasteries in his lifetime.
He was canonised in the 12th century by Pope Callixtus II, cementing his place as the patron saint of Wales.
His feast day falls on 1st March, believed to be the date of his death in 589 AD.
His famous last words? "Be joyful, keep the faith, and do the little things that you have heard and seen me do."
That phrase “ gwnewch y pethau bychain “ do the little things has become something of a Welsh motto.
Diolch, and Dydd Gŵyl Dewi Hapus to all! 🏴
✨ WHAT’S OCCURRING✨
BEACONS OF SPRING - BANNAU BRYCHEINIOG IN LATE FEBRUARY
Pen Y Fan
Everyone talks about the Beacons in summer. Long days, golden light, Pen y Fan queues snaking back to the car park. But right now? It's a different place entirely.
The crowds haven't arrived. The light is changing. And the Beacons are quietly doing something spectacular.
The waterfalls in Waterfall Country are at their absolute best after a wet Welsh winter. All that rain since October has been building to this. Sgwd yr Eira is thundering, the gorges are full, and you can walk behind the falls with almost nobody else around. That won't be true in six weeks.
Up on the ridges the days are noticeably longer. On a clear morning the light hitting the flat topped peaks of the central Beacons has a quality that is hard to describe. Pale, clean, almost Nordic. If Pen y Fan is on your list, this is one of the better times to go. Always check conditions before heading up though.
Down in Brecon town, the canal towpath is perfect for a morning walk. Quiet, flat and traffic free.
And if you can stay a night, do it. The Beacons are a Dark Sky Reserve. On a clear February evening the stars are something else.
Fewer people. Lower prices. Wales doing what Wales does best.
🏉 SIX NATIONS RUGBY 🏉
WALES NEXT HOME RUGBY GAME 🏴 - Such a good atmosphere at the stadium this weekend. If you can’t make it to Dublin then the next game at home is Wales v Italy Saturday, 14 March, kick off at 16:40 GMT at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff.
The Welsh national anthem "Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau" was the first national anthem ever sung at a sporting event. It was at a Wales vs Scotland rugby match in 1905. It's widely considered the best anthem in world sport to sing! Check out The Ultimate Guide to Watching Wales Rugby Play in Cardiff 2026
FEBRUARY IS THE BEST TIME TO SEE SNOWDROPS IN WALES
SNOWDROPS IN WALES
SNOWDROP WALKS - Get outside this February and witness Wales spectacular snowdrop displays. From Cardiff to North Wales historic gardens, here's where to find the best blooms before they're gone. See the guide here.
WELSH FACT - The Welsh name for snowdrop is "Eirlys" which literally translates to "snow lily." These delicate flowers have been blooming in Welsh woodlands since the 16th century, and some of our oldest displays are over 400 years old.
📚 WORTH A READ 📚
FEBRUARY 2026
⚽️ SPORTS 🏉
FOOTBALL ⚽️
🔴 Wrexham AFC
Saturday 28th February | 3:00pm
Wrexham vs Charlton (A)
The Valley | Championship
⚪ Swansea City
Saturday 28th February | 3:00pm
Swansea City vs Ipswich Town (A)
Portman Road | Championship
🔵 Cardiff City
Saturday 28th February | 3:00pm
Cardiff City vs Doncaster (A)
Eco Power Stadium | League One
🟡 Newport County
Saturday 28th February | 3:00pm
Newport County vs Fleetwood (A)
Highbury Stadium | League Two
RUGBY 🏉
SIX NATIONS CHAMPIONSHIP
Friday 27th February
🔵 Cardiff v Leinster | Cardiff Arms Park | 7:00pm
🔴 Edinburgh v Scarlets | DAM Health Stadium | 7:45pm
Saturday 28th February
🟠 Dragons v Benetton | Rodney Parade | 5:30pm
⚫️ Ospreys v Ulster | St Helen's, Swansea | 7:45pm
☀️ WEATHER ☀️
Wednesday 25th February 🌦️ Cloud increasing through the day with a growing chance of showers moving in. Remaining mild but turning damper by evening. Highs around 10°C.
Thursday 26th February 🌧️ A wetter day with a good chance of rain through much of the day, particularly heavy at times. A damp one for commuters and travellers alike. Highs around 9°C. Keep the umbrella handy.
Friday 27th February 🌦️ Rain easing through the morning with drier and brighter spells possible through the afternoon. A more mixed picture but improving as the day goes on. Highs around 9°C.
Saturday 28th February ❄️🌨️ Turning colder with a chance of wintry showers, particularly over higher ground and the Brecon Beacons. Staying largely dry at lower levels but feeling sharp. Highs around 7°C. Wrap up warm!
⚠️ Heads up: Ground conditions remain wet across parts of Wales following recent rainfall. Check river levels and local flood alerts if you're in low-lying areas, and allow extra time if travelling Thursday during the heavier rain.
🚆TRANSPORT UPDATES 🚗
ROAD DISRUPTION
M4 — South Wales Overnight closures on the eastbound entry slip at Junction 36 Sarn and exit slip at Junction 35 Pencoed continue through Saturday 28th February (8pm to 6am). Ongoing lane closures between J37 Pyle and J42 Earlswood remain in place until April. Allow extra time if travelling east along the M4 corridor.
A470 — Mid Wales Overnight closures at Mallwyd are in place until 13th March (7pm to 6am). A key north-south route through mid Wales — plan ahead if travelling through Powys or towards Dolgellau.
A483 — Llandeilo, Carmarthenshire Emergency works closing the A483 in both directions between Ffairfach and Llandeilo overnight until Friday (7pm to 2am). Diversions in place via local roads.
A55 — North Wales Westbound entry slip at Junction 9 Treborth remains closed overnight until Saturday 28th February (8pm to 5am). Separate overnight resurfacing works also affecting the eastbound carriageway between J34 Ewloe Loop and J35 Dobs Hill continuing until mid-March.
RAIL DISRUPTION
Rhymney & Penarth Lines — Cardiff (All Weekend) Buses are replacing trains between Cardiff Central and Bargoed/Rhymney all day until Saturday 28th February, reopening before 8:45am on Sunday 1st March. The Penarth line is also affected, with rail tickets accepted on Cardiff Bus services 92, 93 & 94. Trains to Coryton run as normal.
Cardiff Central — Barry Island (Saturday 28th February) Disruption to early morning and late evening services on the Barry Island line. Check before you travel if heading to the Vale of Glamorgan coast.
Haverfordwest — Milford Haven (Saturday 28th February) Buses replacing trains between Haverfordwest and Milford Haven during certain hours. Worth checking before travelling in Pembrokeshire.
Shrewsbury — Birmingham New Street (Saturday & Sunday) No trains running between Shrewsbury and Birmingham New Street all weekend due to engineering works between Shrewsbury and Wolverhampton. Relevant if travelling from mid or north Wales towards the Midlands.
🏴 ST DAVID’S DAY EVENTS🏴
Cardiff The St David's Day parade winds through the city centre from City Hall to St David's Hall — expect flags, giant dragons and a rousing rendition of the anthem. Independent venues including The Canopi and Porter's are hosting live gigs featuring Welsh artists from Friday through Sunday, and Cardiff Market is opening after dark for acoustic sets and street food. The Senedd in Cardiff Bay is also hosting two days of free workshops, performances, crafts and family fun on Saturday and Sunday.
Pembrokeshire — St Davids Cathedral The Band of the Prince of Wales performs a special concert of marches, hymns and anthems at St Davids Cathedral, joined by Only Boys Aloud West and the Whitland Male Voice Choir. A Dragon Parade also winds through the streets of Wales' smallest city.
North Wales The Welsh Highland Railway in Caernarfon hosts a St David's Day Parade from Cei Llechi at 1pm on Saturday, with a live acoustic set from local band Y Cyffro. Plas Newydd on Anglesey welcomes internationally acclaimed beatboxer Mr Phormula for bilingual music workshops throughout Saturday. Penrhyn Castle near Bangor hosts a guided historical walk with Rhys Mwyn on Saturday morning (booking essential), with slate splitting demonstrations at the National Slate Museum on Sunday.
Wrexham Erddig Hall runs a full weekend of Welsh culture — harpist Hero Douglas performs on Saturday, with Lleisiau Clywedog and the Denbigh Male Voice Choir on Sunday. Chirk Castle offers love spoon decorating, daffodil displays and Welsh treats across both days.
Mid & West Wales Llanerchaeron near Aberaeron celebrates with traditional clog making, Welsh cakes, choir performances and craft workshops. The National Botanic Garden of Wales hosts a food, drink and craft weekend in the Great Glasshouse with Welsh folk dancing, music and weaving. Aberystwyth and Cardigan both hold St David's Day parades, with Cardigan's famous giant articulated dragon making its annual appearance along the High Street.
Newport — Tredegar House Live music, traditional craftworking, a family trail and Welsh food all weekend, with Gwilym Bowen Rhys performing on Saturday and a special Welsh Myths and Legends Tour on Sunday (booking essential).
🌼 Free Entry: All 15 National Trust Cymru sites are free to enter on Sunday 1st March, funded by the Welsh Government's St David's Day Fund.
Did You Know? More than 20% of Wales is designated as National Park - the highest percentage in the UK. More facts here
Till next time,
ALL IN WALES
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