Before the chocolates, roses and heart-shaped balloons of Valentine’s Day take over, Wales celebrates its own, far more meaningful day of love – Dydd Santes Dwynwen, on 25 January. Rooted in Welsh legend and centuries of storytelling, it’s a day that honours St Dwynwen, the patron saint of lovers, whose own heartbreaking romance led her to dedicate her life to helping others find true love. Part love story, part tragedy and entirely Welsh, Dydd Santes Dwynwen is less about grand gestures and more about connection, compassion and the quiet power of real love.
The Legend of Santes Dwynwen
According to legend, Dwynwen was a beautiful Welsh princess who fell deeply in love with a young man named Maelon Dafodrill. Their relationship was forbidden, and when Maelon rejected her, Dwynwen was left heartbroken. In her despair, she prayed to God to take away her feelings for him. Her prayers were answered when an angel gave her a potion that erased her love and turned Maelon into a block of ice.
God then granted Dwynwen three wishes: that Maelon be thawed, that she would never marry, and that she could become a protector of all true lovers. She devoted her life to this calling and founded a convent on Llanddwyn Island, off the coast of Anglesey, where people would come from across Wales seeking her blessing for their relationships. Over time, she became known as the patron saint of lovers, and her story gave rise to what we now celebrate as Dydd Santes Dwynwen.
Where to Find the Perfect Dydd Santes Dwynwen Gift in Cardiff
Whether you’re celebrating a partner, a best friend, or simply the people you love most, Dydd Santes Dwynwen is the perfect excuse to pick up something thoughtful, local and full of heart. From handcrafted jewellery and meaningful keepsakes to fresh flowers and the irresistible comfort of warm Welsh cakes, Cardiff is bursting with independent businesses offering gifts that feel far more personal than anything you’ll find on a supermarket shelf. Here are some of the loveliest places in the city to find something truly special this Welsh day of love.
Emma-Kate Francis Jewellery – Roath
If you’re looking for a gift that feels both thoughtful and beautifully Welsh, Emma-Kate Francis Jewellery is a perfect place to start. Based in Roath, Emma-Kate’s designs are elegant, timeless and full of meaning – with her much-loved daffodil range making a particularly lovely choice for DyddSantes Dwynwen.
And if you’re after something even more special, you can take things one step further by booking onto one of her jewellery-making workshops, where you’ll create your own bespoke piece from scratch. Whether it’s a ring, pendant or something completely unique, it’s a gift that comes with a story and a memory attached.
Cardiff Bakestones – Cardiff Market
If you want a bit of theatre with your treats, Cardiff Bakestones in Cardiff Market is the place to go. Here, Welsh cakes are cooked the traditional way – on a hot bakestone right in front of you -meaning the irresistible aroma of warm, buttery goodness fills the air as they’re made.
You can pick up classic currant-filled Welsh cakes alongside delicious bara brith – the rich, spiced Welsh tea loaf studded with fruit, perfect for gifting or for sharing over a cosy coffee date. It’s the kind of sweet, comforting treat that feels extra special on Dydd Santes Dwynwen and makes a lovely local alternative to flowers or chocolates.
Whether you’re wandering the market’s other independent stalls or pairing your treats with a hot drink nearby, Cardiff Bakestones delivers authentic Welsh flavour with a side of warm hospitality and a perfect little edible gift.
Driftwood Designs – Royal Arcade, Cardiff
A must-visit for Dydd Santes Dwynwen gifting, Driftwood Designs is a charming independent gift shop in Cardiff’s historic Royal Arcade overflowing with beautifully designed cards, prints and homeware with a Welsh twist.
From quirky greetings cards – including Welsh-themed love and Calon Lan designs perfect for the occasion – to cosy homeware items like mugs, tea towels and coasters, there’s plenty to choose from if you want a meaningful, local present with personality.
Whether you’re picking up a card to say “Cariad” or a colourful keepsake to brighten someone’s home, their collection makes celebrating love a little more personal and distinctly Welsh.
Little Welsh Company – The Hayes
If you’re after a gift that feels heartfelt, proudly Welsh and beautifully put together, Little Welsh Company is a brilliant place to browse. Their shelves are packed with thoughtful, locally inspired finds – from charming cards and cosy home bits to small keepsakes that quietly say “I care.”
It’s the kind of shop where you go in for one thing and leave with three, all of them perfect for DyddSantes Dwynwen. Whether you’re buying for a partner, a friend or even yourself (because self-love counts too), you’ll find something here that feels personal, meaningful and very much made with love.
Castle Welsh Crafts – Castle Street
For something rooted in tradition and romance, Castle Welsh Crafts, sitting proudly opposite Cardiff Castle is a must. This is the place for classic Welsh gifts, including beautifully carved love spoons, long associated with affection and commitment in Welsh culture.
Alongside the love spoons you’ll find handcrafted jewellery, slate gifts and traditional keepsakes, making it an ideal stop for anyone wanting to mark Dydd Santes Dwynwen with a gift that carries real history and symbolism. It’s timeless, thoughtful and wonderfully Welsh.
Fabulous Welshcakes – Castle Arcade & Cardiff Bay
No visit to Cardiff feels complete without stopping for a taste of Wales’ most iconic bake – the humble Welsh cake. At Fabulous Welshcakes, you’ll find freshly griddled, buttery Welsh cakes in all the classic flavours (and some delicious twists) made right in the heart of the city.
Whether you pick up a bag to share on a winter stroll around Cardiff Bay or choose a handful of their sweet treats as an extra-special Dydd Santes Dwynwen gift, these crumbly delights are a cosy, comforting way to celebrate together. With branches in Castle Arcade and Mermaid Quay, it’s easy to combine a cake stop with a little local shopping or a romantic wander.
Secret Garden Florist – Cardiff Market
For blooms that speak louder than words, Secret Garden Florist in Cardiff Market is a beautiful choice for Dydd Santes Dwynwen gifting. Tucked among the vibrant market stalls, this independent florist crafts fresh, seasonal bouquets and floral arrangements with an eye for colour, scent and sentiment – ideal for showing someone you care.
Whether you’re after classic roses, romantic mixed bunches or something a little more whimsical and unexpected, their bouquets are designed to feel personal and thoughtful without ever being generic. Perfect on its own or paired with a locally baked treat from Cardiff Market’s other vendors, a bouquet from Secret Garden Florist brings a slice of natural beauty to your day of love.
Great Welsh Gifts – City Centre
If you’re looking for a gift that’s unapologetically Welsh, Great Welsh Gifts is a brilliant place to start. Specialising in gifts made in Wales or inspired by Welsh culture, this city-centre favourite is packed with thoughtful finds that feel personal, meaningful and rooted in tradition.
From beautifully illustrated cards and cosy homeware to jewellery, prints and keepsakes celebrating the Welsh language and landscape, it’s an ideal stop for Dydd Santes Dwynwen gifting. Whether you’re buying for a partner, a friend or a loved one further afield, Great Welsh Gifts makes it easy to find something that says “caru ti”.
Love Stories Bookshop – Castle Arcade, Cardiff
If you’re a lover of romance – in stories and in life – this is one Cardiff stop that feels made for Dydd Santes Dwynwen. Opened in late 2025, Love Stories Bookshop is Wales’s first brick-and-mortar bookshop dedicated entirely to romance fiction, nestled in the historic Castle Arcade right in the heart of the city.
Inside you’ll find a curated collection of love stories from every corner of the genre, from contemporary and historical fiction to fantasy, LGBTQ+ titles and warm indie picks many shoppers won’t see on the high-street shelves. There’s also a selection of romance-themed gifts and goodies from independent makers, including beautiful bookmarks, scented candles, illustrated cards and more – ideal for picking up alongside a book for your loved one.
Whether you’re browsing for your next great read, hunting down the perfect gift for a fellow bookworm, or discovering something new together on Dydd Santes Dwynwen, Love Stories Bookshop is a wonderfully warm, welcoming space to celebrate the stories that make our hearts beat a little faster.
A day for love
However you choose to mark it, Dydd Santes Dwynwen is ultimately about celebrating love in all its forms – romantic, platonic, family and self-love included. Whether it’s a handcrafted piece of jewellery, a bouquet from the market, a box of warm Welsh cakes or a small keepsake picked up on a city wander, it’s the thought and connection behind the gift that truly matters. And with so many wonderful independent businesses right here in Cardiff, there’s no better place to spend Wales’ most meaningful day of love.
