Buy to Let in St Davids: Historic Sold Prices 27% Below England's Average
St Davids is a city on the Pembrokeshire coast in south-west Wales where sold prices average £213,226, sitting 26.9% below England's £291,865. None of the three postcodes covering this area have residential rental data, which tells you something important about how this market works. The county's population grew 0.75% to 123,360 between the 2011 and 2021 censuses.
Asking prices across the three St Davids postcodes range from £222,137 in SA61 to £345,930 in SA62, with five-year growth of 24.2% in SA61 Haverfordwest. The absence of residential rental listings reflects a market dominated by holiday lets and seasonal accommodation rather than conventional assured shorthold tenancies. Investors looking at Pembrokeshire need to think in holiday let returns and capital growth, not standard gross yields.
This guide covers three postcodes in north Pembrokeshire under the Pembrokeshire local authority (ONS code W06000009). St Davids is the smallest city in Britain by population but the postcodes extend well beyond the city itself, taking in Haverfordwest (the county town), Broad Haven, Goodwick, and Fishguard. Investors comparing options in Wales may also consider Cardiff, Swansea, or Newport. Browse all our Wales location guides.
Article updated: April 2026
St Davids Buy-to-Let Market Overview 2026
North Pembrokeshire offers entry prices well below the England average in a market shaped by holiday lets, coastal tourism, and the energy sector rather than conventional residential tenancies.
- Average sold price: £213,226 (26.9% below England's £291,865)
- Asking price range: £222,137 (SA61) to £345,930 (SA62)
- Rental yields: No residential rental data available for any postcode
- Rental income: No residential rental data available (holiday let market)
- Price per sq ft: Sold prices from £175/sq ft (SA64) to £233/sq ft (SA62)
- Market activity: Sales ranging from 4 per month (SA64) to 16 per month (SA62)
- Deposit requirements: 30% deposits range from £66,641 (SA61) to £103,779 (SA62)
- Affordability ratios: Property prices from 6.1 to 9.5 times Pembrokeshire's median annual salary of £36,438
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by Robert Jones, Founder of Property Investments UK
With two decades in UK property, Rob has been investing in buy-to-let since 2005, and uses property data to develop tools for property market analysis.
Property Data Sources
Our location guide relies on diverse, authoritative datasets including:
- HM Land Registry UK House Price Index
- Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
- Ordnance Survey Data Hub
- Propertydata.co.uk
We update our property data quarterly to ensure accuracy. Last update: April 2026. All data is presented as provided by our sources without adjustments or amendments.
Why Invest in St Davids?
Pembrokeshire's sold prices sit 26.9% below England's average, with five-year growth of 24.2% in SA61 and entry deposits from £66,641. St Davids is the smallest city in Britain. The cathedral and the ruins of the Bishop's Palace draw visitors year-round, and the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park wraps around the entire coastline. That combination of heritage, landscape, and protected environment is what drives property values here. This is not a market built on employment density or commuter demand. It is built on location.
The three postcodes in this guide cover a wider area than the city itself. SA61 takes in Haverfordwest, the county town and administrative centre of Pembrokeshire. SA62 covers St Davids, Broad Haven, and the western coast. SA64 includes Goodwick and Fishguard, the ferry port connecting Wales to Rosslare in Ireland. Each has a different character and a different property market.
Pembrokeshire's economy runs on tourism, energy, agriculture, and the public sector. Milford Haven is one of the UK's largest energy ports, handling around 20% of Britain's gas supply through two LNG terminals and two oil refineries. The Celtic Freeport designation (awarded in 2023) is bringing new investment in green hydrogen and floating offshore wind. Withybush General Hospital in Haverfordwest is one of the county's largest employers.
Between the 2011 and 2021 censuses, Pembrokeshire's population grew from 122,439 to 123,360, a rise of just 0.75%. That is below the Wales average of 1.4%. Low population growth in a desirable coastal area reflects constrained housing supply rather than weak demand. Second homes and holiday lets account for a significant share of Pembrokeshire's housing stock, which is one reason residential rental data does not appear in the metrics below.
Earnings in Pembrokeshire sit marginally above the Wales regional median. The median annual salary is £36,438, compared to £36,353 across Wales and £39,125 for Great Britain. Property prices relative to those earnings range from 6.1x in SA61 to 9.5x in SA62, making the Haverfordwest area more affordable than many parts of England.
Pembrokeshire Economic Summary
- Population: 123,360 (2021 Census). Growth of 0.75% from 2011.
- Median annual salary: £36,438 (Pembrokeshire), £36,353 (Wales), £39,125 (Great Britain)
- Employment rate: 75.2% (Pembrokeshire)
- Unemployment rate: Not available (sample size too small for reliable estimate)
- Key employment sectors: Tourism and hospitality, energy, agriculture, public sector, healthcare
Source: ONS Census 2021, Nomis Labour Market Profile (ASHE 2025)
Regeneration and Investment in St Davids
Over £100m in committed public funding is reshaping Pembrokeshire through town centre regeneration and Celtic Freeport energy investment. The investment story centres on two themes: revitalising its market towns and building the infrastructure for the Celtic Sea energy transition.
- Pembroke South Quay Redevelopment (in progress, £27.5m): A mixed-use regeneration below Pembroke Castle creating a Henry Tudor visitor centre, library, community hub, and landscaped public spaces across two phases. Funded by Welsh Government Transforming Towns, UK Levelling Up, and Pembrokeshire County Council. Updates at Pembrokeshire County Council.
- Haverfordwest Heart of Pembrokeshire (substantially complete, £26.3m+): Transformation of the county town centre including the Western Quayside food and hospitality venue in the former Ocky White department store, a new signature footbridge, and a public transport interchange opening in summer 2026. The project has returned activity to a previously declining riverside area. Updates at Pembrokeshire County Council.
- Celtic Freeport Green Hydrogen Plant (approved, ~£50m): MorGen Energy's West Wales Hydrogen facility at the Milford Haven Freeport site will produce 2,000 tonnes of low-carbon hydrogen annually. Construction starts 2026 with operations from early 2028. The project sits within the broader Celtic Freeport programme targeting floating offshore wind and energy transition jobs. Updates at Pembrokeshire Herald.
St Davids Property Market Analysis
When Was the Last House Price Crash in St Davids?
St Davids sits within Pembrokeshire so all sold property prices from the HM Land Registry House Price Index are available at this level. The data runs from January 1995 to December 2025. Pembrokeshire experienced a different crash pattern from most English cities. The initial financial crisis decline was milder, but a double-dip pushed prices to their true bottom four years later.
- 1995-2000 (Slow start): Pembrokeshire began 1995 at £43,104. Prices drifted through the late 1990s, reaching just £49,838 by January 2000. Five years of minimal growth while London and the South East surged.
- 2000-2007 (The boom): Pembrokeshire caught up dramatically. Prices more than tripled from £49,838 in January 2000 to a peak of £172,321 in November 2007. The sharpest growth came in mid-2004, when annual change hit 36.7%. Cheap credit, second-home demand, and Pembrokeshire's growing reputation as a holiday destination all fuelled the surge.
- 2007-2009 (The financial crisis): From the peak of £172,321 in November 2007 to £138,740 in April 2009, Pembrokeshire lost 19.5% of its value in 17 months. The worst annual change reading was -13.8% in April 2009. That was milder than both Wales overall (-14.6% in January 2009) and England (-15.5% in March 2009). Rural markets with less mortgage-dependent demand held up slightly better than cities.
- 2009-2013 (The double dip): Pembrokeshire bounced initially. By December 2009, prices had recovered to £152,340. But that recovery did not hold. Prices slid back through 2010, 2011, and 2012, reaching an absolute trough of £136,502 in May 2013. That was lower than the 2009 crash floor. The double dip was a pattern shared by many rural and Welsh markets where the eurozone crisis and austerity hit harder and longer.
- 2013-2016 (Extended recovery): Growth was painfully slow. By December 2015, prices had recovered only to £145,388. Still well below the pre-crash peak of £172,321. By December 2016, prices reached £151,456. Seven years after the initial crash and still 12% below the peak.
- 2017-2019 (Steady growth): Prices rose from £153,616 in January 2017 to £170,244 by December 2019. Consistent but unhurried. By the end of 2019, Pembrokeshire was finally within touching distance of its 2007 peak.
- 2020-2022 (Pandemic surge): The stamp duty holiday and the remote working shift transformed Pembrokeshire's market. Prices jumped from £169,336 in March 2020 to a peak of £227,734 in October 2022. That is 34.5% growth in 31 months. Pembrokeshire's combination of coastal lifestyle, National Park setting, and relative affordability made it one of Wales's strongest pandemic performers.
- 2023-2025 (Correction): Interest rate rises cooled the market. Prices fell from the October 2022 peak of £227,734 to £213,226 by December 2025. A decline of 6.4% from the pandemic peak. Annual change stands at -3.5%.
Long-Term Property Value Growth in Pembrokeshire
- 5 years (2020-2025): +16.4% (£183,168 to £213,226)
- 10 years (2015-2025): +46.6% (£145,388 to £213,226)
- 15 years (2010-2025): +46.0% (£146,032 to £213,226)
- 20 years (2005-2025): +46.7% (£145,330 to £213,226)
- 30 years (1995-2025): +394.7% (£43,104 to £213,226)
The 10-year, 15-year, and 20-year growth figures are all within one percentage point of each other. That reflects the extended period from 2005 to 2015 when Pembrokeshire prices were essentially flat. Investors who bought at the 2007 peak waited 13 years to break even, with prices not passing £172,321 again until September 2020. That is the longest crash recovery in Pembrokeshire's recorded history. The pandemic surge then delivered a decade's worth of growth in under three years.
Source: HM Land Registry House Price Index for Pembrokeshire, January 1995 to December 2025.
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View Property DealsSold House Prices in St Davids
Pembrokeshire's sold prices sit at virtual parity with the Wales average but well below England. The headline figure of £213,226 is 26.9% below England's £291,865 and just 0.8% below the Wales average of £214,883. The discount to England varies sharply by property type, from 34.6% on detached houses to 48.3% on flats.
| Property Type | Pembrokeshire Average | England Average | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Detached houses | £308,409 | £471,667 | -34.6% |
| Semi-detached houses | £195,617 | £289,135 | -32.3% |
| Terraced houses | £163,858 | £244,830 | -33.1% |
| Flats and maisonettes | £113,361 | £219,340 | -48.3% |
| All property types | £213,226 | £291,865 | -26.9% |
Detached houses dominate Pembrokeshire's housing stock at £308,409, sitting 34.6% below the England average of £471,667. In a county where most properties are houses rather than flats, this is the most representative property type. The discount reflects Pembrokeshire's distance from major employment centres and the lower local wage base.
Semi-detached houses at £195,617 show a 32.3% discount. This is the core affordable family housing stock in Haverfordwest and the market towns. For investors considering holiday lets, semi-detached coastal properties in SA62 trade at a premium over this average.
Terraced houses at £163,858 are 33.1% below England. Terraced stock in Pembrokeshire tends to be concentrated in the older town centres of Haverfordwest, Pembroke, and Fishguard. Entry prices in the low £100,000s are achievable for individual properties in these areas, and older terraced stock can offer scope for renovation projects that add value.
Flats and maisonettes show the widest discount at 48.3%. Pembrokeshire's flat average of £113,361 reflects a thin market. Purpose-built flats are rare outside Milford Haven and Haverfordwest, and the flat market lacks the scale seen in English cities.
Property Data Sources
Our location guide relies on diverse, authoritative datasets including:
- HM Land Registry UK House Price Index
- Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
- Ordnance Survey Data Hub
- Propertydata.co.uk
We update our property data quarterly to ensure accuracy. Last update: April 2026. All data is presented as provided by our sources without adjustments or amendments.
Price Per Square Foot in St Davids
SA61 Haverfordwest costs £189 per square foot based on 239 transactions, making it the most data-rich and affordable postcode per square foot. Price per square foot strips out property size bias and shows what you are paying for space. In a rural market where property sizes vary enormously, from harbour cottages to farmhouses, this is a more useful comparison than headline asking prices.
Prices per square foot range from £175 in SA64 to £233 in SA62, a spread of 33% across three postcodes. SA62 covering St Davids and Broad Haven commands the highest rate per square foot, reflecting the coastal and heritage premium. SA64 at £175 is based on just 29 data points, the smallest sample of the three.
| Rank | Area | Price Per Sq Ft |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | SA64 (Goodwick, Fishguard) | £175 |
| 2 | SA61 (Haverfordwest) | £189 |
| 3 | SA62 (St Davids, Broad Haven) | £233 |
SA61 Haverfordwest at £189 per square foot has the most reliable figure, based on 239 data points. As the county town, Haverfordwest has the deepest pool of sales data. That £189 figure is competitive with many northern English cities and makes it one of the more affordable markets in Wales per square foot of property.
SA62 at £233 is 23% more expensive per square foot than SA61. The St Davids and Broad Haven coastal strip commands a premium that goes beyond what property size alone would explain. Proximity to the Pembrokeshire Coast Path and the cathedral city itself adds a location premium that is priced into every square foot.
Figures reflect averages across all property types and ages. Individual values depend on condition, location within the postcode, and building age.
For Sale Asking Prices in St Davids
Three postcodes give a concise picture. Asking prices range from £222,137 in SA61 Haverfordwest to £345,930 in SA62 St Davids, a gap of £123,793 between the cheapest and most expensive areas. That gap is the coastal premium priced into property near Britain's smallest city and the Pembrokeshire coastline.
| Rank | Area | Average Asking Price |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | SA61 (Haverfordwest) | £222,137 |
| 2 | SA64 (Goodwick, Fishguard) | £282,681 |
| 3 | SA62 (St Davids, Broad Haven) | £345,930 |
SA61 Haverfordwest at £222,137 is the entry point. The county town offers the lowest asking price of the three postcodes and 14 sales per month. Asking prices sit above the Pembrokeshire Land Registry average of £213,226, but SA61 remains the most affordable route into this market. Haverfordwest is where most conventional residential purchases happen in north Pembrokeshire.
SA64 Goodwick and Fishguard at £282,681 sits in the middle. The ferry port to Ireland and the harbour town of Fishguard give this postcode a working character that differs from the tourist-driven SA62. Only 4 sales per month means the market is thin and individual property values can vary significantly from the average.
SA62 at £345,930 is 56% more expensive than SA61. St Davids, Broad Haven, and the western Pembrokeshire coast drive this premium. Properties in SA62 are more likely to be bought as second homes or holiday lets than primary residences, which pushes asking prices well above what local wages can support.
The mean asking price across all three St Davids postcodes is £283,583. That figure appears in the comparison section later, where St Davids is measured against Cardiff, Swansea, Newport, and Bristol.
House Price Growth in St Davids
Growth data reveals a two-speed market. SA61 Haverfordwest delivered 24.2% growth over five years with consistent positive returns across all three time periods. SA62 shows 8.9% five-year growth but has declined sharply in the short term. SA64 has insufficient transaction data for reliable growth calculations.
| Area | 1 Year | 3 Years | 5 Years |
|---|---|---|---|
| SA61 (Haverfordwest) | 4.7% | 2.7% | 24.2% |
| SA62 (St Davids, Broad Haven) | -10.1% | -16.6% | 8.9% |
| SA64 (Goodwick, Fishguard) | Not enough data | Not enough data | Not enough data |
SA61 is the clear growth performer. An investor who bought a £179,000 property in SA61 five years ago would be sitting on an asset now asking £222,137. That is £43,000 in equity from the county town's most affordable postcode. One-year growth of 4.7% confirms the trend is still positive.
SA62's five-year return of 8.9% masks a more complicated picture. One-year growth of -10.1% and three-year growth of -16.6% show that the coastal market surged during the pandemic, peaked, and has since given back a significant share of those gains. Properties in SA62 bought at the 2021-2022 peak are now sitting below their purchase price. The five-year figure is positive only because the starting point predates the pandemic boom.
SA64 does not have sufficient transaction data for PropertyData to calculate reliable growth figures. With only 4 sales per month in a rural postcode, the sample is too thin. This is common in low-volume markets and does not imply zero growth.
Monthly Property Sales in St Davids
All three postcodes combined produce just 34 sales per month, less than a single postcode in most mid-sized English cities. Transaction volume is the market's liquidity signal. For investors planning an exit, the question is: how many buyers are actively purchasing in this area? In rural markets, low volume can mean waiting months for the right buyer.
| Area | Sales Per Month | Turnover | Asking Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| SA62 (St Davids, Broad Haven) | 16 | 24% | £345,930 |
| SA61 (Haverfordwest) | 14 | 53% | £222,137 |
| SA64 (Goodwick, Fishguard) | 4 | 67% | £282,681 |
SA62 leads on volume at 16 sales per month but has the lowest turnover at 24%. Low turnover in a holiday destination makes sense. Many properties are held as second homes or holiday lets and rarely come to market. When they do, 16 transactions per month shows there are buyers ready to purchase.
SA61 Haverfordwest at 14 sales per month with 53% turnover is the most conventional market. Higher turnover means stock changes hands more frequently, giving buyers more choice and investors a clearer exit route. For buy-to-let or holiday let investors who may want to sell within 10-15 years, SA61 offers the most liquid market in north Pembrokeshire.
SA64 at just 4 sales per month is a market where patience is required. The 67% turnover looks high on paper but reflects the small denominator. Four transactions per month means fewer comparable sales to benchmark against, and individual selling timelines can be unpredictable.
Property Data Sources
Our location guide relies on diverse, authoritative datasets including:
- HM Land Registry UK House Price Index
- Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
- Ordnance Survey Data Hub
- Propertydata.co.uk
We update our property data quarterly to ensure accuracy. Last update: April 2026. All data is presented as provided by our sources without adjustments or amendments.
St Davids Rental Market Analysis
For investors weighing up whether rental property is a worthwhile investment in St Davids, the data below is notable for what it does not contain. Residential rental data is available for 0 of 3 postcodes.
PropertyData draws from residential letting agent listings for long-term assured shorthold tenancies. In Pembrokeshire, the dominant letting model is holiday lets and short-term holiday accommodation rather than year-round residential tenancies. That is why no postcode in north Pembrokeshire returns rental or yield data through conventional metrics. If you are looking to build a property portfolio in Wales, Pembrokeshire's investment case is built around holiday let income and capital growth rather than residential yields.
Average Rent & Gross Rental Yields in St Davids
None of the three postcodes in this guide have sufficient residential rental listings to calculate a reliable yield figure. Gross rental yield is calculated from the average asking price and average monthly rent for each postcode. This does not mean properties in Pembrokeshire cannot generate rental income. Holiday let income operates on a different model with nightly rates, occupancy percentages, and seasonal variation that standard gross yield metrics do not capture.
| Area | Average Monthly Rent | Average Asking Price | Gross Yield |
|---|---|---|---|
| SA61 (Haverfordwest) | Not enough data | £222,137 | Not enough data |
| SA62 (St Davids, Broad Haven) | Not enough data | £345,930 | Not enough data |
| SA64 (Goodwick, Fishguard) | Not enough data | £282,681 | Not enough data |
The absence of data itself is informative. Pembrokeshire's coastal postcodes are dominated by properties let on a nightly or weekly basis through holiday platforms rather than 12-month ASTs. The Welsh Government's 182-day occupancy threshold for business rates on holiday lets (introduced in April 2023) has increased the regulatory requirements for this model, but the market structure remains firmly oriented toward short-term letting.
Is St Davids Rent High?
Pembrokeshire's median annual salary is £36,438, but with no residential rental data for any postcode, the standard affordability ratio cannot be calculated. Rent affordability matters from both sides. For tenants, it determines whether payments are sustainable. For landlords, areas where rent takes a lower share of income tend to produce more reliable tenants.
The median gross weekly salary in Pembrokeshire is £700.70, which equates to £3,037 per month or £36,438 per year. This is marginally above the Wales regional median of £699.10 per week and below the Great Britain median of £752.40 per week. Data from the Nomis Labour Market Profile (ASHE 2025).
| Rank | Area | Rent as % of Income |
|---|---|---|
| — | SA61 (Haverfordwest) | Not enough data |
| — | SA62 (St Davids, Broad Haven) | Not enough data |
| — | SA64 (Goodwick, Fishguard) | Not enough data |
Pembrokeshire's earnings position relative to the rest of Wales is roughly average. At £700.70 per week, local wages sit £1.60 above the Wales median. The gap widens against Great Britain at £752.40 per week. For investors modelling holiday let returns, the income of local residents is less relevant than the spending capacity of visitors. Pembrokeshire attracts holidaymakers from across the UK, and holiday let pricing reflects visitor willingness to pay rather than local salary levels.
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Are St Davids House Prices High? Price-to-Earnings Ratios
The price-to-earnings ratio compares a postcode's average asking price to the local median annual salary. Lower ratios mean more affordable entry points relative to local wages. The national benchmark is 7.5x, calculated from England's average sold price of £291,865 against Great Britain's median annual salary of £39,125.
Purchasing a property in the St Davids area requires between 6.1 and 9.5 times the median annual salary. This is based on the Nomis Labour Market Profile for Pembrokeshire showing the median gross annual income for Pembrokeshire residents is £36,438.
| Rank | Area | Price-to-Earnings Ratio |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | SA61 (Haverfordwest) | 6.1x |
| 2 | SA64 (Goodwick, Fishguard) | 7.8x |
| 3 | SA62 (St Davids, Broad Haven) | 9.5x |
SA61 at 6.1x sits comfortably below the national benchmark of 7.5x. Haverfordwest is affordable relative to local wages, which in theory should support a residential rental market. The absence of rental data here likely reflects choices made by landlords (holiday lets pay more) rather than any lack of demand from local tenants.
SA62 at 9.5x is stretched by local income standards. At nearly ten times the median salary, properties in the St Davids and Broad Haven area are not being purchased by people earning Pembrokeshire wages. The buyer pool is lifestyle purchasers, second-home buyers, and investors from elsewhere in the UK. That demand pattern is what keeps prices elevated despite moderate local incomes.
Deposit Requirements in St Davids
The standard buy-to-let deposit is 30%. The table below reflects this benchmark, which unlocks better interest rates and a wider range of mortgage products. The rate secured matters for cash flow.
Deposits in the St Davids area range from £66,641 in SA61 to £103,779 in SA62. The £37,138 gap between the cheapest and most expensive postcode buys access to very different markets. SA61 is a working county town. SA62 is a coastal tourism destination.
| Rank | Area | 30% Deposit Required |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | SA61 (Haverfordwest) | £66,641 |
| 2 | SA64 (Goodwick, Fishguard) | £84,804 |
| 3 | SA62 (St Davids, Broad Haven) | £103,779 |
SA61 at £66,641 is the most accessible entry point. This postcode also delivered the strongest five-year growth (24.2%) and has the deepest market at 14 sales per month. Investors with limited capital can access the best-performing area without needing to stretch into six-figure deposits. For those exploring lower-deposit routes, see our guide to investment property with no deposit.
SA62 at £103,779 reflects the coastal premium. A 30% deposit above £100,000 is a significant capital commitment, particularly in a market with no conventional rental yield data. Investors entering SA62 are typically funding the investment through holiday let income, which requires separate financial modelling from standard buy-to-let cost calculations.
Deposit is only part of the upfront cost. Budget for stamp duty (use our stamp duty calculator for an accurate figure), legal fees, and survey costs. Holiday let properties may also require furniture, cleaning setup, and platform listing fees.
What the St Davids Data Tells Buy-to-Let Investors
Three postcodes, zero residential rental data, and a 24.2% five-year growth rate in the most affordable area. The postcode data across this guide points to a market that operates differently from typical buy-to-let cities. The complete absence of residential rental data across all three postcodes is the defining feature.
SA61 Haverfordwest has the strongest data profile across the metrics that are available. It has the lowest asking price (£222,137), the lowest deposit (£66,641 at 30%), the strongest five-year growth (24.2%), the most affordable price-to-earnings ratio (6.1x), and the second-highest transaction volume (14 sales per month). These numbers describe a conventional market town where residential investment could work, and where the choice to let as holiday accommodation rather than long-term rental reflects higher returns from short-term letting rather than any weakness in residential demand.
SA62 St Davids and Broad Haven is a lifestyle and tourism market. Asking prices of £345,930 with a 9.5x price-to-earnings ratio, declining values (-10.1% one year, -16.6% three year), and no rental data describe a postcode driven by second-home demand and holiday let income. The five-year return of 8.9% is positive but the trajectory since the pandemic peak has been downward.
SA64 has insufficient transaction data for most metrics. Four sales per month and no growth data mean any investment case in Goodwick and Fishguard relies on individual property assessment rather than postcode-level trends. The Irish ferry connection and Fishguard harbour give this area a different character from the tourism-driven SA62.
Investors considering this area can browse investment properties currently available, including off-market opportunities that may not appear on the open market.
How St Davids Buy-to-Let Compares to Nearby Areas
St Davids sits mid-table at £283,583 mean asking price but is the only location of five without any residential rental or yield data. Investors looking at St Davids are typically also considering other Welsh locations or the nearest major English city across the Bristol Channel. The table below compares St Davids against four nearby locations using the same methodology: mean asking price across all postcodes, mean monthly rent across postcodes with data, and top single-postcode gross yield.
| Location | Mean Asking Price | Mean Monthly Rent | Top Gross Yield |
|---|---|---|---|
| Swansea | £250,854 | £1,233 | 8.8% |
| Newport | £272,487 | £1,037 | 5.5% |
| St Davids | £283,583 | Not enough data | Not enough data |
| Cardiff | £308,726 | £1,223 | 7.3% |
| Bristol | £372,904 | £1,777 | 8.2% |
St Davids sits mid-table on mean asking price at £283,583 but is the only location without residential rental or yield data. That contrast is the story. Swansea, Newport, and Cardiff all have functioning residential rental markets with yields between 5.5% and 8.8%. St Davids operates in a different model entirely.
Bristol at £372,904 is 31% more expensive than St Davids. It also has the deepest rental market with rents averaging £1,777. For investors with limited capital, St Davids offers lower entry prices. For investors who need conventional rental income from day one, any of the four comparison cities provides what Pembrokeshire does not.
Swansea is the closest city with both lower prices (£250,854) and strong yields (8.8%). An investor choosing between conventional buy-to-let in Swansea and holiday let investment in Pembrokeshire is choosing between two fundamentally different models. The returns, the workload, the regulatory requirements, and the seasonal patterns are all different. For investors comparing buy-to-let locations across the UK, the choice depends on which model fits their circumstances.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is St Davids suitable for holiday let investment?
None of the three St Davids postcodes have conventional residential rental listings, and the market is oriented toward holiday lets and short-term accommodation. Pembrokeshire Coast National Park draws visitors year-round, and properties in SA62 (St Davids, Broad Haven) trade at a premium reflecting their coastal location. Holiday let income depends on occupancy rates, nightly pricing, and seasonal demand rather than the fixed monthly rents shown in other PIUK location guides. Since April 2023, the Welsh Government requires holiday lets to be occupied for at least 182 days per year to qualify for business rates rather than council tax.
Why is there no rental yield data for St Davids?
Most rental properties in Pembrokeshire are marketed as holiday lets through platforms and specialist agencies rather than through residential letting agents. PropertyData calculates rental yields from residential letting agent listings for long-term assured shorthold tenancies, and in Pembrokeshire those listings barely exist. The absence of data does not mean properties generate no income. It means the income model is holiday letting rather than conventional buy-to-let, and the metrics in this guide do not capture that model.
How does Haverfordwest compare to St Davids for property prices?
Haverfordwest is £123,793 cheaper. SA61 has a mean asking price of £222,137 compared to SA62 St Davids at £345,930. Haverfordwest delivered 24.2% five-year growth compared to 8.9% in SA62. SA61 has 14 sales per month versus 16 in SA62, but SA61's turnover rate is higher (53% vs 24%), indicating a more active and liquid market. Price per square foot shows a similar gap: £189 in SA61 versus £233 in SA62. The two postcodes serve different markets. Haverfordwest is a county town with a mix of residential and investment buyers. St Davids is a coastal tourism destination where second homes and holiday lets dominate.
How did the 2008 crash affect Pembrokeshire property prices?
Prices fell 20.8% from peak to trough, with a 13-year recovery. Pembrokeshire peaked at £172,321 in November 2007 and initially fell 19.5% to £138,740 by April 2009. The worst annual change reading was -13.8%, which was milder than both Wales (-14.6%) and England (-15.5%). Pembrokeshire then experienced a double dip, with prices falling further to £136,502 by May 2013, a total decline of 20.8% from the peak. Prices did not recover to the pre-crash peak until September 2020, a 13-year recovery. The pandemic surge then pushed prices 32% above the previous peak within two years.
Are there cottages to rent in St Davids for buy-to-let?
Cottages in the St Davids area are overwhelmingly let as holiday accommodation rather than on long-term residential tenancies. None of the three postcodes in this guide (SA61, SA62, SA64) return residential rental data from PropertyData, which draws from letting agent listings for assured shorthold tenancies. Pembrokeshire's cottage stock, particularly in SA62 around St Davids and Broad Haven, trades at a premium (£345,930 mean asking price) driven by holiday let demand. Since April 2023, the Welsh Government requires holiday lets to be occupied for at least 182 days per year to qualify for business rates. Investors looking at cottages in this area should model returns on holiday let occupancy and nightly rates rather than conventional monthly rental yields.
Can I find investment property in Pembrokeshire under £200,000?
Individual properties in Haverfordwest, Fishguard, and the market towns regularly list below £200,000, particularly terraced houses and flats. The average asking prices in this guide range from £222,137 (SA61) to £345,930 (SA62), but these are postcode averages across all property types. Pembrokeshire's Land Registry average for all property types is £213,226, and the average for terraced houses is £163,858. At that price point, a 30% deposit is under £60,000. Investors can browse below market value properties, repossessed houses for sale, and buy-to-let properties for sale for current listings.