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Towns and Villages on your Doorstep

Gwbert

Gwbert is a small cliff top coastal hamlet overhanging the broad mouth of the Teifi river and Cardigan Bay. It looks across to Pembrokeshire, the curved sweep of Poppit Sands and the sea breaking over the infamous Cardigan sand bar, the site and cause of many wrecks during the years that Cardigan built and sailed wooden ships down the river, across the Atlantic, and all over the world. It is known that Gwbert was the name of an early wandering saint who is said to have landed here and sheltered in a cave. Interestingly, along with saints Pedrog, Briog, Carannog and Meugana, he is honoured in churches not just here in Wales but also in Cornwall and Brittany. At Craig y Gwbert, on the seaward edge of the Cliff Hotel grounds, are the smooth grassy earth bank remains of an extremely well defended Iron age fort. It makes a superb place to enjoy dramatic sunsets surrounded as it is by wild rocks and sea on three sides. https://www.cardigan-bay.com/gwbert-on-sea.php

Cardigan

This is the main town located near to Gwbert. Cardigan West Wales, Ancient market town on the River Teifi estuary, home of the first Welsh Eisteddfod and start of both the Pembrokeshire Coastal Path and Ceredigion Coast Path. The market town of Cardigan is an essential stop on your visit to Cardigan Bay. The slow pace of change in this part of Wales has helped preserve the 19th character and charm of this ancient town. The narrow streets, traditional shops, inns and eating places many with their original Georgian and Victorian fronts help create a unique visitor experience. It has a range of large Supermarkets and chain stores but also has a variety of independent shops, cafes, pubs and restaurants. https://www.cardigan-bay.com/cardigan-cardigan-bay-wales.php https://www.discoverceredigion.co.uk/English/where/towns/Pages/Cardigan.aspx https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Restaurants-g316011-Cardigan_Ceredigion_Wales.html https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Restaurants-g186427-Ceredigion_Wales.html

St. Dogmaels

A small village across the bridge over the River Teifi from Cardigan Town Centre, next to Cardigan Castle. St Dogmael’s is a village and parish in Pembrokeshire, Wales, on the estuary of the River Teifi a short walk from Poppit Sands – one of many stunning beaches along the Cardigan Bay and Pembrokeshire Coast. https://cardigan-stdogmaels.co.uk https://www.cardigan-bay.com/st-dogmaels-cardigan-bay-wales.php https://www.stdogmaelsabbey.org.uk/stDogmaels.php https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Restaurants-g1474567-St_Dogmaels_Pembrokeshire_Wales.html

Aberaeron

A charming Georgian port town on the Cardigan Bay coast of West Wales. Aberaeron has a long history as a fishing port with many local people supplementing their income by fishing for herring during the season. In 1805 plans were laid to construct the harbour at the mouth of the Aeron River. This resulted in the town being greatly expanded with many fine houses being built. Aberaeron has a good selection of guest houses, self catering cottages and and excellent restaurants. The great classic architect John Nash who built the near by Llanerchaeron mansion was reputedly involved in the planning of the new town. Aberaeron retains its Georgian character with elegant brightly painted town houses and is still a focal point for the rural communities in mid Cardiganshire. Enjoy a stroll around the harbour along Quay Parade, and enjoy lunch or afternoon tea at the Hive on the Quay or The Cellar. Take a boat trip to explore Cardigan Bay’s marine ecology and Heritage Coast from the harbour. Plus many charming shops including the Aberaeron Craft Centre, eating places and pubs to enjoy. https://www.cardigan-bay.com/aberaeron-cardigan-bay.php https://www.discoverceredigion.co.uk/English/where/towns/Pages/Aberaeron.aspx

Aberporth

The former fishing village of Aberporth is a great place for a traditional family beach holiday with a beautiful Blue Flag beach. The picturesque village overlooks two sandy beaches and is one of Ceredigion’s favourite holiday destinations, proving popular with tourists throughout western Europe. Rock pools are exposed at low tides and the cliff top walks along the Ceredigion Coast offer extensive views as far as the Lleyn Peninsula. Bottlenose dolphins are seen frequently close to shore. In 2006 orcas and harbour porpoises have also been seen but such sightings are rare. Even rarer was a turtle seen in 2005. Sunfish and Basking sharks are often seen offshore in the summer. Aberporth is a popular recreational fishing village in the summer and is also popular with divers and boating people. It has two good beaches and has been awarded a blue flag for its beaches several years running due to the high water quality found in this area. There is a small high street with a local art gallery, there is also a series of small cafes and bars above the beaches – great for a chip buttie on the beach! You can also hire kayaks, canoes and paddle boards from one side of the beach. https://www.cardigan-bay.com/aberporth-cardigan-bay-wales.php https://www.discoverceredigion.co.uk/English/where/towns/Pages/Aberporth.aspx

Aberystwyth

Aberystwyth is a lively university town, seaside resort complete with promenade and pier, and the setting of atmospheric TV drama Hinterland – is an ideal base to explore the Wales Coast Path along Cardigan Bay. Aberystwyth town and its surrounding countryside has a wide selection of accommodation and Aberystwyth has an annual programme of cultural and sporting events. Enjoy the natural spectacles of Aberystwyth’s stunning sunsets, dramatic seascapes and famous winter starling murmurations. The Aberystwyth seafront still retains much of its Georgian-Victorian character, as do many building around the town, particularly the imposing chapels, whilst there are street names that suggest that the town is even older, which indeed it is. Visit Pendinas Hill Fort on the edge of town to explore the earliest settlement, and follow the Aberystwyth Architectural trail around town to discover the Georgian, Victorian and Edwardian buildings and their history. https://www.discoverceredigion.co.uk/English/where/towns/Pages/Aberystwyth.aspx

Borth

Borth’s Blue Flag beach with its shallow waters and fabulous three mile long expanse of golden sand, is particularly popular with surfers and families with young children. Borth is part of the Dyfi Biosphere, the only UNESCO Biosphere reserve in Wales, plus the Dyfi National Nature Reserve and visitors’ centre at Yny slas. The long distance footpath, the Ceredigion Coast Path, passes through Borth village. Borth is served by the Cambrian Coast rail line and there is a youth hostel in the village. For beach safety, Borth features an inshore lifeboat station and local attractions include the Borth Animalarium and Borth & Ynyslas Golf Club, one of Wales’s oldest links courses. The Borth railway museum is well worth a visit. https://www.discoverceredigion.co.uk/English/where/towns/Pages/Borth.aspx

Cenarth

Cenarath village lies on both sides of the Teifi River, the county boundary between Ceredigion and Carmarathenshire. Cenarth Falls lie upstream from the river bridge, which has circular holes built into it to enable water to flow through it. Near the village, at Cenarth Falls, the river Teifi emerges suddenly from a deep ravine over a ledge forming a maginificent waterfall when the river is in full spate and the pitcuresque spot is popular with tourists. Below the bridge you can see fishermen, sometimes in coracles, pitching their skills against salmon and sewin. The National Coracle Centre with examples from around the world including Tibet and Iraq. Near the bridge there is a holy well, dedicated to 7th century St Ludoc, and there is a standing stone in the church yard of nearby St Llawddog. Cenarth born Eluned Phillips, the first woman to win the Crown at the National Eisteddfod (not once, but twice) knew the writer Dylan Thomas, the artist Augustus John, and the singer Edith Piaf. https://www.discoverceredigion.co.uk/English/where/towns/Pages/Cenarth.aspx

Cilgerran

Cilgerran, once a small market town, now generally considered a rural village, roosts quietly above the dramatic, wooded Teifi Gorge that threads through the rolling farming landscape of North Pembrokeshire. Cilgerran offers the visitor an ideal base for walking, bird watching, canoeing, fishing, cycling and enjoying the arts and culture of nearby Cardigan town and Rhos y Gilwen Mansion, all supported by a pleasant village infrastructure of three pubs, a shop / post office located at the junction down to the River Teifi Car Park and coracle information centre, a restaurant, and a food takeaway. Cilgerran’s several remarkable attractions include the romantic and atmospheric Cilgerran Castle, once the object of much to-ing and fro-ing between warlike Welsh chieftains and invasive Norman overlords and from where Princess Nest and her daughter were snatched away by Owain of Powys in 1109. Now a delightful ruin high above the river and painted by Turner, the castle is free to enter and makes a most scenic picnic site. https://www.cardigan-bay.com/cilgerran-cardigan-bay-wales.php

Lampeter

Lampeter is an historic university and market town in the mid Teifi valley on the borders of Cardiganshire / Ceredigion and Carmarthenshire. It was established as a market borough in medieval times and has been the focus of the farming community in the area to this day. However the town has another important function as the home of the University of Wales Lampeter College. If Lampeter was established and thrived as an agricultural centre, today it is the University and tourism that drive the local economy. However despite the decline in agriculture, Lampeter still retains its market town character with a regular Cattle Mart, Antique Auction, Horse Fair and the annual Lampeter Food Festival. The farmers market is held on the High Street between 9am and 2pm on alternate Fridays Harness racing [trotting]events are held in Lampeter, an exciting day out for the whole family. In February you can visit Lampeter Beer Festival held in the University Arts Hall. The Welsh Quilt Centre on Lampeter High Street is well worth a visit. The centre holds workshops throughout the year and exhibits beautiful Welsh quilts and blankets from all parts of Wales. https://www.cardigan-bay.com/lampeter-cardigan-bay-wales.php https://www.discoverceredigion.co.uk/English/where/towns/Pages/Lampeter.aspx

Llanddewi Brefi

Wales’s Patron Saint, St David is said to have performed one of his miracles in Llanddewi Brefi when he addressed local people. The huge crowd complained they could not see what was going on, so St David placed a handkerchief on the ground and stood on it and promptly, a small hill rose from under his feet so that he could be seen by everyone. One of the largest parishes in Wales, the village church, with its collection of Celtic Crosses, dates from the 12th century (although the site is associated with religious worship from the 7th century). More recently, Llanddewi Brefi was made famous by the BBC comedy series ‘Little Britain’. As a result of this notoriety, the sign to the village has been stolen many times. https://www.discoverceredigion.co.uk/English/where/towns/Pages/Llanddewi-Brefi.aspx

Llandysul

The quaint town on Llandysul is located on the river Teifi on the border between Ceredigion and Carmarthenshire. The river Teifi at Llandysul is a mecca for anglers and canoeists. Historically, Llandysul was the hub of the Welsh woollen industry where thousands of people were employed in the water driven mills during the industrial revolution – weavers, spinners, dyers, knitters, drapers, tailors. A few working mills still exist – such as Rock Mill at nearby Capel-Dewi. The National Wool Museum at nearby Drefach Felindre features working looms and weaving machines and lots of events and activities throughout the year. The river Teifi at Llandysul is world renowned for brown trout, ‘sewin’ (sea trout) and salmon fishing and the Llandysul Angling Association welcomes day members and visitors for 30 miles of prime fishing. The river is also the focus for white water canoeing. Llandysul is a ‘Walkers are Welcome’ town and the surrounding Teifi Valley has some excellent footpaths to follow. https://www.discoverceredigion.co.uk/English/where/towns/Pages/Llandysul.aspx

Llangrannog

Llangrannog (or Llangranog) is a small, coastal village and seaside resort in Ceredigion West Wales, between Aberporth and New Quay. The earliest parts of the village (the “church village”) lie above the waterfall hidden by a twist of the valley from view from the sea. This protected them from the attention of sea marauders, the Vikings and the Irish. After the mid-eighteenth century the sea became safer and ‘Llangrannog beach village’ and small seaport developed. By 1825 Llangrannog commercial activity was largely concerned with the sea, including the shipment of coal. A number of ships were built on the sands, the largest the ‘Ann Catherine’ a brig of 211 tons. The last developments, in the 1860’s, were the ribbon village which connected the beach and church villages; and extension of the beach village on the southern slope of the valley. Partly this accommodated the increasing local population, but also for the beginnings of tourism. By the Llangrannog beach there is a shop, two pubs The Ship; and the Pentre arms, and The Patio Café, which serves delicious home made ice-creams, and if you are walking on a cold day, why not treat yourself to the excellent fish chowder. https://www.cardigan-bay.com/llangrannog-cardigan-bay-wales.php https://www.discoverceredigion.co.uk/English/where/towns/Pages/Llangrannog.aspx

Llanrhystud

The beach at Llanrhystud, which forms part of the Wales Coast Path, is popular in summer for boating, fishing, watersports, picnics and barbecues, or just relaxing. The beach is a narrow shingle bank at high tide, but at low tide, it becomes wide and sandy so is ideal for windsurfing, swimming and general leisure activities. For bird watchers, the large, flat coastal fields around Llanrhystud attract migrant pipits, wheatears and wagtails, including small flocks of white wagtails in late April plus red kites, choughs and skylarks. https://www.discoverceredigion.co.uk/English/where/towns/Pages/Llanrhystud.aspx

Newcastle Emlyn

The town of Newcastle Emlyn offers a variety of shops, cafes, restaurants & excellent pubs. There is also an excellent Indian Restaurant and Greek Restaurant. https://www.cardigan-bay.com/newcastle-emlyn-cardigan-bay-wales.php

Newport

The small town of Newport Pembrokeshire is set at the mouth of the river Nefern and below the Preseli hills. The beach at Newport runs below the Parrog and under the boat club – the perfect location to watch the sunset. From the public carpark above the beach, a footpath leads inland alongside the river, up to the bridge. This is a great spot for watching a variety of sea and wading birds. Crossing the bridge and walking along the opposite shore brings you to Newport golf club and a long sandy beach. The town itself has a range of cafes, pubs and restaurants and a small supermarket and excellent whole food shop for picnics and self catering. Historically shipbuilding took place here, but Newport became a popular coastal holiday destination via the train from Cardiff and Swansea which used to run very regularly to Fishguard. Newport can be reached along the coast path from Cardigan, but it is a very long days walk, better to walk from Ceibwr or Moylegrove. A lovely coast walk can be done from Newport, around Dinas head, and back. Along the way you will come across some of the quietest beaches in Pembrokeshire. https://www.cardigan-bay.com/newport-cardigan-bay-pembs.php

New Quay

New Quay is a picturesque seaside town on the Cardigan Bay coast of West Wales. Its golden sandy beaches and sheltered harbour make New Quay a delight to visit at any time of year. New Quay was once a flourishing shipbuilding centre and fishing port. The miles of secluded coves around New Quay provided ideal hiding places in the less salubrious but probably more profitable trade of smuggling spirits and tobacco. Today the small local fishing and pleasure craft still come and go in the sheltered bay. New Quay’s beaches extend in a golden arc around the bay and are ideal for relaxing and strolling by the sea. Enjoy a walk along the front to the end of the Quay and watch the boats sail by. Or sit in one of the cafes overlooking the harbour and see the dolphins. The Bottlenose Dolphins are regularly seen swimming and diving as they follow the shoals of mackerel into the bay. For a great view of these beautiful creatures stand at the end of the Quay, Even better take one of the wildlife spotting boat trips, that depart regularly from the harbour, to explore the full delights of the Cardigan Bay Marine Heritage Coast. https://www.cardigan-bay.com/new-quay-cardigan-bay-wales.php https://www.discoverceredigion.co.uk/English/where/towns/Pages/towns-and-villages.aspx

Talybont

Talybont, a village which developed around mining and woollen mills, is now known as the base of leading Welsh publisher, Y Lolfa, which produces popular Welsh fiction and factual titles. It also produces books in English on Welsh topics and also published works by economist/philosopher Leopold Kohr, originator of the term ‘small is beautiful’. You can’t miss the mural by local artist Ruth Jên of Welsh heroes and characters in the centre of the village. Talybont is also a gateway to the Cambrian Mountains. Dyfi Furnace and waterfalls are testament to the mining heritage of the area and poet RS Thomas lived in nearby Eglwysfach. RS Thomas was a keen ornithologist and would take delight in the birdlife and other wildlife on land forming part of the RSPB’s Ynyshir Reserve. https://www.discoverceredigion.co.uk/English/where/towns/Pages/Talybont.aspx Tregaron An historic market town, Tregaron is today a centre for ‘Trotian ’ – horse trotting and carriage racing. The annual summer event attracts competitors from all over the UK and Ireland. It is also the home of the Welsh Gold Centre selling Celtic inspired designs. Tregaron is shown on the 16th century cartographer John Speed’s map of Wales as the only Welsh town in Ceredigion. The other three – Aberystwyth, Cardigan and Lampeter were of Norman origin. The church, which stands on raised ground by the river Brenig, is dedicated to St Caron. Capel Bwlchgwynt chapel is another imposing building, built in 1775 for the town’s Calvinistic Methodists. Tregaron is at the heart of Ceredigion’ livestock rearing area, specialising in store cattle and sheep, which sustain a thriving livestock market today. The area also has several Welsh pony and cob breeders, and a highlight of the year is the festival of harness racing in August. https://www.discoverceredigion.co.uk/English/where/towns/Pages/Tregaron.aspx