"The best view in the world" - who can argue with the sentiment voiced by the dean of St David's, the Very Reverend J. Wyn Evans. In the valley below his home, lies one of Britain's most beautiful and inspiring cathedrals. As the winter sun casts an almost ethereal light over the historic edifice, you can only envy him. In the sixth century this sheltered spot was chosen by St David to build a simple monastery. In its place was constructed a cathedral which became so important to Christianity that in medieval times two pilgrimages to St David's were regarded as equal to one pilgrimage to Rome. The cathedral building had to be restored after an earthquake in 1247 and again, following the ravages of Oliver Cromwell's troops in 1648, when the roof was stripped of lead and the stained glass and bells were removed. Around the cathedral grew a large self-sufficient community. The most important and impressive building - apart from the cathedral - was the Bishop's Palace. Today it is a magnificent ruin and the bishops of St David's now reside in the palace at Abergwili, near Carmarthen. Many of the other buildings have also disappeared. But there still remains a small collection of houses, which creates the core of a close-knit cathedral community. "The houses at The Close and Cloisters were built for those who serve the cathedral, and today most are still used for this purpose," said the dean. The Deanery overlooks the cathedral and Bishop's Palace. It is home to the dean and his wife, although the rear of the property has been put to functional use as the cathedral office. A strip of the garden had been dug up for the installation of power cables that would increase electricity capacity and provide broadband. "We do live in the 21st century," said the dean. Born only a few miles away at Llandeloy, he has known the cathedral all his life and as an archaeologist and churchman has a deep love of it. He has served two spells at the cathedral, the first time in the 1970s, and he has been dean for almost 11 years. At the entrance to The Close stands the Archdeaconry, built around 1830. It is occupied by the present archdeacon Canon Jonathan Lean. Next door is the impressive Brecon House rented out to Mr and Mrs Godkin. And at the end of that row is the equally impressive Canonry, formerly the Chancellor's House, which has been converted into two five-bedroomed homes. One is occupied by visiting canons, the other by cathedral organist Timothy Noon, his wife Sarah and two young children. "It's fantastic living here, we are very lucky. The only problem is the size of the gas bill," said Tim. Nona Rees, cathedral librarian for 15 years lives in part of the Treasury. She knows the close well; her father having been a canon and the family often stayed in the Canonry. "I feel like Moley in Wind in the Willows, very humble," She said. "It's my little hole in the ground. I love it. When the crowds visit the Cathedral in mid-summer, it is total peace here." Non's tiny cottage has a long garden tapering towards the Cathedral. But she also has a secret garden, entered through an almost concealed door. Once a wilderness, it was cleared by Nona's son, and now includes a pond with very large fish, vegetable garden, barbecue area, and plenty of space to entertain visiting family and friends. It was one of the 12 private gardens, in St Davids, opened to the public last year, which raised over £1,000 for the Shalom Hospice, St Davids. In the main part of the Treasury are recent newcomers to The Close, Jenny Kitchell, canon's verger, and her husband Tim, who has a pottery and gallery in St Davids. Jenny describes her job as unique - a mix of religious, ritual and cleaning duties. Recalling a fairly typical Wednesday, she arrived at the cathedral at 6.45pm and in the pitch dark ended up on a stepladder changing a light bulb. Then she prepared for two services and assisted with communion at each. After that it was out with the feather duster and a gentle clean of the delicate and valuable screen between the presbytery and choir and other cleaning duties. "I can remember walking in The Close one day, and turning to my husband saying I would love to work and live here. I had no idea that within six months I would be doing so," she said. Head verger, Barrie Webb, whose responsibilities includes looking after the fabric of the cathedral, lives at Penyffos, in The Close, while Cloister Hall is home to the cathedral's assistant organist Simon Pearce, and his wife Catherine. The cloister wall opposite their home had to be rebuilt, and the dean was full of praise for local craftsmen whose skills have helped restore the cathedral and its surroundings. "Dai Howells of Solva, who rebuilt the wall, left little holes for wrens to nest - such a nice touch. So now the wrens have now returned to the Cathedral," said the dean. Two other houses which are part of the community are Wayside, home to Sister Anita Woodwell, a hermit, and The Bont, where widower Harry Lovell lives.