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FBM HOLIDAYS

Taking you to places where there's just so much to see, do and enjoy

Combine all the come-and-go-as-you-please freedom of self-catering with a terrific location and you have more than just a holiday - you have an unbeatable FBM Holiday! West and south-west Wales is one of the most glorious regions in Britain (if not the world)for its remarkable repertoire of fabulous beaches, magnificent coast and countryside, breathtakingly beautiful hills and mountains,and a huge diversity of wildlife which enriches land, sea and air. And these are just the wonders provided by nature! Add to this great outdoors all the man-made attractions - from shopping to skydiving - and you'd be extremely hard pushed to name an interest, leisure pursuit or holiday activity that isn't well catered for, whatever your particular cup of tea. So the only question is, where will you find all the things you want see and do for a truly unforgettable holiday or short break? This brief FBM Holidays guide to great days out will help you find your way.

GREAT DAYS OUT in Cardigan Bay and Ceredigion

For a diary of events, Click here

• Activities, adventure & watersports
• Arts & crafts
• Best beaches
• Castles & historic sites
• Family attractions
• Ireland by ferry
• Walking & the Heritage Coast
• Wildlife & the environment

Activities, adventure & watersports

From the Teifi estuary near the snout to Pwllheli close to the tips of the ears, Cardigan Bay is the beach-rich band of coastline which helps give Wales its distinctive pig's head shape on the map. No less than 60 miles of this golden coast lie in the county of Ceredigion - better known to generations of visitors and holidaymakers as Cardiganshire - and the county is bounded on its opposite (eastern) side by the remote, high hills of Plynlimon and the Cambrian Mountains. In between, nature has sculpted a landscape rich in variety, breathtaking beauty and opportunity - an arena tailor-made for just about any outdoor activity and recreational pursuit you can name. Not to mention leisure centres and other excellent indoor facilities across the region. So you supply the energy - along with the desire for a truly unforgettable holiday, of course- and Ceredigion will definitely come up with the challenge!

Activities. There's everything you'd expect to find - such as leisure centres, fishing, golf, cycling, mountain biking, walking, horseriding, sailing and watersports - and plenty you wouldn't! For example, the Urdd (Welsh League of Youth) Centre near Llangrannog has a year- round ski and toboggan slope; Llandysul Outdoor Education Centre on the Teifi can show you the finer points of archery, gorge walking, coasteering and other thrills; West Wales All Terrain Park near Cardigan is the place to experience mountain boarding, driving a hovercraft and other activities. And the adventure's only just beginning...

Adventure. Take your choice! How about Cardigan Bay Outdoor Karting Centre (between New Quay and Aberaeron) where you can also lose yourself in a spot of paintballing and a giant crop maze? Or two-wheel trickery with Trail Rides Wales (motorbikes) at Aberystwyth and Tregaron. Maybe taking the Snowcat vehicle off-road at West Wales All Terrain Park (near Cardigan) will appeal. And if you're up for it, there's rock climbing, abseiling, hill walking, mountaineering, raft building, caving, surfing and more - all at Llandysul Education Centre. Plus an easy trip across the border into Pembrokeshire will take you to the excitement on offer at TYF Adventure (St David's), specialists in coasteering, kayaking and other testing challenges. Spread your wings a little further still, into mid Wales, and the adrenaline levels will really soar: flying (Welshpool), gliding (Talgarth near Brecon), and hang gliding and paragliding (Llandridnod Wells). But if you really want to push the boat out - and push yourself to the limit - there's Cambrian Survival (Aberystwyth) for survival and wilderness skills training. Assault courses and other testing challenges are also on the agenda at various activity centres in the mid Wales area (which embraces parts of eastern Ceredigion).

Watersports. The first place to head for is purpose-built Cardigan Bay Watersports Centre, overlooking the beach at New Quay, where conditions for beginners are ideal and experienced watersport exponents can take themselves beyond the shelter of the headland for bigger challenges. Open April to October, the centre is dedicated to water-based recreational activities for 8-year-olds and up. The beautiful location is perfect for dinghy sailing; kayaking, windsurfing and powerboating, including RYA and AALA approved and regulated training courses (beginners to advanced). And there's always a chance of spotting one of Cardigan Bay's resident bottlenose dolphin in its natural habitat. There's more watersports action at two towns on the River Teifi: Cilgerran (Heritage Canoes - canoeing and kayaking) and Llandysul (Outdoor Education Centre). Competitive events here are renowned as spectacles of skill and excitement. The freshwater of the Teifi and the saltwater of Cardigan Bay merge at the county town of Cardigan and form a wide estuary - a popular venue for annual regattas and sailing events, as are Aberystwyth (which boasts a marina), Aberaeron, New Quay and Tresaith. North of Aberystwyth, not far from the Dovey estuary is the long beach at Borth, which is establishing itself as a surfing attraction. Mid Wales too is a very good choice for watersports enthusiasts who enjoy boating, canoeing, diving, sailing, surfing, waterskiing and windsurfing.

Other popular activities in which you can indulge on a highly enjoyable Ceredigion holiday or short break? Here's a brief guide.

Cycling & mountain biking. Apart from the rural landscape of quiet, traffic-free roads and lanes, one of the big attractions for pedal-power enthusiasts in Ceredigion is the development of world-class mountain bike trails at Nant Yr Arian Forest Visitor Centre near Ponterwyd (north of Devil's Bridge in the hills of Plynlimon), in addition to spectacular wilderness trails and routes in the Cambrian Mountains.By contrast, the easy circular day rides centred around Cardigan take you either side of the Teifi, some routes being inside the Pembrokeshire border and others in Cardigan Bay. The river, a haven for birds and other wildlife, is a designated conservation area and these circular routes, suitable for all ages and abilities, are a leisurely and enjoyable way to explore the estuary, starting from either Cardigan or Newport (in north Pembrokeshire). Adding to the options for cyclists is the fact that three areas in Ceredigion are designated Wales Cycle Break centres. Routes from Aberystwyth, for example, include the Rheidol Cycle Trail (17 miles, to Devil's Bridge) and the 113-mile Sustrans National Cycle Network route to Shrewsbury.

Fishing. With so much choice (sea, freshwater and coarse), a rich variety of rivers (Teifi, Ystwyth, Aeron, Rheidol and the seaward reaches of the Dyfi), and catches which famously include bass, black bream, trout, salmon and sewin (sea trout), Ceredigion is one hook which an increasing number of well-informed anglers just can't resist!

Golf. Aberystwyth (18-hole parkland course overlooking the town); Borth & Ynyslas (18-hole championship links course alongside Borth beach); Cardigan (18-hole meadowland and links course at Gwbert-on-Sea); Cilgwyn, near Lampeter (9-hole parkland course); Cwmrhydneuadd, near Llangrannog (9-hole course in a picturesque setting just off the A487); Gwbert-on-Sea, near Cardigan (9-hole course at the Cliff Hotel, open to visiting players); Penrhos Golf & Country Club, Llanrhystud, between Aberaeron and Aberystwyth on the A487 (18-hole parkland and meadowland course with practice range).

Horseriding & pony trekking. Ceredigion's landscape is ideal for pony trekking, and seeing it all from the saddle is a particularly rewarding way in which to enjoy the spectacular countryside and coastal panoramas. Dyfed Riding Centre near Cardigan and Rheidol Riding Centre at Capel Bangor, Aberystwyrth, are two of several throughout the county. Also very popular are Tregaron's Trotting Club harness racing and Aberaeron's annual show of Welsh cobs and ponies.

Arts & crafts

Ceramics, etchings, prints, landscape paintings, jewellery handcrafted from Welsh gold, woven and woollen goods - the list is long and richly varied. The wide availability of made-in-Ceredigion arts, crafts, fancy goods and specialist products reflects the fact that away from the university town and 'capital' of Aberystwyth, the county's population is spread throughout 150 or so very rural towns and villages in an area of 1800 sq miles, encouraging many small independent producers.Works by renowned local artists are displayed in galleries in Aberystwyth (Ceredigion Museum, the university's School of Art, Aberystwyth Arts Centre and the National Library of Wales), in Cardigan (Theatr Mwldan Arts Centre) and in Tregaron.And in terms of performing arts, Aberystwyth Arts Centre is the largest in Wales (with a 1.000-seater concert hall, theatres and cinema) and there is year-round entertainment at Caridgan's refurbished Theatr Mwldan Arts Centre. Cardigan, in fact, has a thriving arts scene of its own, expressed through a programme, which includes music, dance, theatre and a contemporary film festival. East of Aberaeron, on the Lampeter road, is the community theatre at Felinfach, which has been used for many Welsh-language TV productions on the S4C channel.

Best beaches

As well as the wow factor of its breathtaking beauty and great visual appeal, what is it that makes Cardigan Bay such a major attraction - not only for people in search of a great holiday but for wildlife too? For holidaymakers, the most obvious answer is the number and quality of great sandy beaches. Visitors in 2007 had the choice of 7 beaches, which proudly flew the international Blue Flag, a standard applicable throughout Europe, denoting water quality and other important criteria such as facilities. The beaches meeting these high standards were (from south to north) Aberporth, Tresaith, Llangrannog, New Quay (and harbour), Aberystwyth South, Aberystwyth North and Borth.In addition, 9 other beaches won important UK awards: (from south to north) Mwnt, Penbryn, Cilborth (Llangrannog), Cwmtydu, Cei Bach, Aberaeron South, Aberaeron North, Llanrhystud and Clarach. Looking at the bigger picture, Cardigan Bay is a special and precious landscape and environment for several other important reasons, designated (1) A Special Area of Conservation, (2) Heritage Coast and (3) Marine Heritage Coast - the first in the UK. Sections of the coastline are also in the care of the National Trust.

See also Walking & the Heritage Coast and Wildlife & the environment.

Castles & historic sites

The long history of Ceredigion (better known to generations of holidaymakers as Cardiganshire) is steeped in the maritime traditions of seafaring, shipbuilding and smuggling, and of eeking a living from the land through agriculture, livestock and mining (for lead, silver and gold). Ceredigion is a revival of the name which originated in the 5th century, when this was an independent principality and the Welsh chieftain Cunneda drove out seaborne invaders, giving the free land to his son Ceredig. Hence Ceredigion - land of Ceredig. Much of this colourful and often turbulent past is evident from the rich variety of interesting places to visit during a holiday or short break in Cardigan Bay and Ceredigion.

Aberystwyth Castle. Very little remains of the medieval castle built from 1277 onwards, during the period when Edward I embarked on a massive programme of castle construction in the face of fierce Welsh revolt, mainly in the north. The site, near the mouth of the River Rheidol and the harbour, enabled men and construction materials to be brought in by seas and also provided a vital communications link. From 1404 to 1408 the castle was held by the Welsh rebel Owain Glyndwr. Two centuries later Cromwell destroyed it, but before this Charles I had established a mint here, using silver from local mines, and some of the coins produced are on display in Aberystwyth's fascinating Ceredigion Museum.

Cardigan Castle. The ruins that remain date from 1240, which means that the very first National Eisteddfod, in 1176, must have been held in an earlier castle. Today the eisteddfod is the major cultural event in the Welsh calendar and the largest festival of its kind in Europe. The present castle was destroyed by Oliver Cromwell during the years of the English Civil Wars in the 17th century. In the 19th century the town of Cardigan was one of the most important ports in Wales, with a thriving shipbuilding industry and 300 ships registered here. Export warehouses lined the busy waterfront and emigrant ships sailed to the USA and Canada. This prosperity faded with the combined effects of the development of ever-larger ships, the silting up of the Teifi estuary and the coming of the railways.

Castell Bach is the site of an Iron Age promontory fort near Cwmtydu (on the coast between New Quay and Llangrannog), which was occupied by Celts from around the 3rd century BC. The camp consisted of two enclosures bounded by ditches and earthen banks topped with timber fencing. The inner enclosure was the living area and the outer served as a stock compound, these early tribes living mainly by their stock rearing.

Cilgerran Castle (near Cardigan). Dating mainly from the 13th century, and small in comparison with Pembroke Castle and Edward I's great Norman fortresses of North Wales, Cilgerran Castle is set most dramatically on a high bluff above a deep wooded gorge, through which flows the River Teifi. This spectacular location inspired great landscape artists such as J.M.W. Turner and Richard Wilson and is reason alone for visiting such an historic site. Despite the castle's apparently unassailable position, it changed hands many times in the 13th and 14th centuries.

Devil's Bridge & Mynach Falls. In a very picturesque setting at the head of the Rheidol Valley, among the wooded hills of Plynlimon, Devil's Bridge is one of the most famous and spectacular beauty spots in Wales. The bridge which gives the small village its name is in fact three bridges stacked in a pile! Bottom of the stack is the original and simple medieval stone structure, built it is thought by either the Knights Templars or the monks of Strata Florida Abbey. On top of this is another stone bridge, dating from the early or mid 18th century, and on top of that is the present iron road bridge, spanning 60 feet, built in 1901 and modernised in 1983. Below Devil's Bridge is the River Rheidol, into which tumbles the River Mynach, crashing down from the narrow gorge 300 feet above and creating a much-photographed waterfall. Devil's Bridge is also famous as the eastern terminus of the wonderful Rheidol Valley Railway (to Aberystwyth).

Dyfi Furnace. The last place you'd expect to find a blast furnace is in the wild, spectacular country of the Dyfi (Dovey) estuary - but it was the 18th-century foundry, used for smelting iron ore, which gave the village of Furnace its name. The waterwheel powered the bellows and is an important feature of this unusual historic attraction.

Pen Dinas. On this headland south of Aberystwyth town centre is the site of a large Iron Age hill fort.

St Dogmael's Abbey. Across the Teifi estuary from Cardigan, in north Pembrokeshire, is the picturesque village of St Dogmael's and the remains of the 12th century abbey, built in 1115 by French Benedictine monks. The north and west walls of the nave are still standing. Next to the abbey ruins is the church of St Thomas the Martyr, which is home to the inscribed Sagranus Stone. In 1848 the inscription provided the key that enabled the ancient Ogham script to be deciphered.

Strata Florida Abbey. About 7 miles north-east of Tregaron, which is the most easterly town in Ceredigion and close to the source of the Teifi, is the site of the 12th-century Cistercian abbey which in its day was a centre of great influence and learning. Very little remains apart from the magnificent west door - a highly decorated Celtic-Romanesque arch. The abbey was founded in 1164 by monks from Whitland Abbey, in Carmarthenshire, and their business enterprise was very impressive: successful sheep and cereal farmers, owners and operators of corn and woollen mills, brewers and pub landlords, fish breeders and accomplished fishermen, silver and lead miners, wool exporters, and road and bridge builders. Henry VIII's Dissolution of the Monasteries closed Strata Florida in1539. Many of the last native Welsh princes are buried here. There is a small museum on site.

Family attractions

Attractions in Aberystwyth include the beaches, marina, electric cliff railway, the Vale of Rheidol Railway, the remarkable camera obscura perched on top of Constitution Hill, Ceredigion Museum, Aberystwyth Arts Centre, Penglais Nature Park and the little that remains of the town's medieval castle.

Ceredigion Museum (Aberystwyth) is housed in the Coliseum, a beautiful restored Edwardian music hall built in 1905. The displays reflect Ceredigion's long associations with, and past dependence on, agriculture, seafaring and mining, and give insight into the development of local arts and crafts.

Fantasy Farm Park (Llanrhystud, near Aberystwyth). Rides, play areas, roller races and all-day adventure in beautiful countryside, with more than 10,000 sq ft under cover.

Magic of Life Butterfly House (Cwm Rheidol, near Aberystwyth). Free-flying butterflies in a luxuriant tropical plant display, along with giant caterpillars, beetles and a wildlife garden.

National Library of Wales (Aberystwyth). This magnificent classical building stands on a hillside overlooking the town and coastline. It is an absolute treasure trove - a vast and priceless collection of books, manuscripts, maps, pictures, letters, public records and many other items representing a nation's heritage. For example, you can see the remarkable Black Book of Carmarthen (the oldest known manuscript in the Welsh language), the earliest complete text of The Mabinogion (a collection of ancient Welsh folk tales), the first atlas of Wales and the earliest known Welsh photograph.

New Quay Honey Farm Exhibition & Shop is the largest working honey farm in Wales, boasting 500 hives and 50,000 bees, which you can see in their natural habitat.

Pembrokeshire's 'big three' park attractions. Folly Farm Adventure Park & Zoo (Begelly, near Kilgetty). Farm and zoo animals, indoor and outdoor adventure, indoor fun fair and tractor rides are all part of the fun at this very popular family park. Heatherton (near St Florence and Tenby): fun, sports and activities for all ages, from 18-hole pitch n putt and laser clay pigeon shoot to indoor adventure play, karting, paintball, horseriding and more. Oakwood (Canaston Bridge, near Narberth): white-knuckle rides and great fun for all ages in the only theme park in Wales. From thrilling rollercoasters (one with a vertical drop!) to the Techniquest inter-active science centre, this is an unmissable day out.

Rock Woollen Mill & Craft Shop (Capel Dewi, near Llandysul). The last Welsh woollen mill to still be powered by a working waterwheel.

Teifi Valley Railway (near Llandysul).1 Awaiting you at Henllan Station is a short but very enjoyable journey by narrow-gauge railway into the lovely Teifi Valley. This was part of the Great Western Railway branch line, which ran from Carmarthen to Aberystwyth. The attractions include picnic site, crazy golf, play area and woodland walk.

Vale of Rheidol Railway. One of the Great Little Trains of Wales, this magical narrow-gauge steam railway clings dramatically to the steep hillsides of the Rheidol Valley as it climbs 600 feet from Aberystwyth to Devil's Bridge over a distance of just 12 miles. It was constructed in 1902 to transport lead and silver from the mines in the Plynlimon hills, and the ticket office and waiting room at Devil's Bridge station are the originals. Parking for the railway at Aberystwyth is easy and convenient, making this a great family day out - the perfect way to experience several attractions in one.

Welsh Wildlife Centre (near Cardigan). This great natural attraction at the Teifi Marshes Nature Reserve, Cilgerran, has a visitor centre, bird hides, walks, a variety of wildlife trails (badger, otter, squirrel), places to picnic and an adventure playground.

Ireland by ferry.

While you're in west Wales you can take the opportunity to go a little further west still and cross the Irish Sea from Pembrokeshire to Rosslare in County Wexford. Travel with either Stena Line (from Fishguard, in north Pembrokeshire, within easy driving distance of Cardigan) or with Irish Ferries (from Pembroke Dock in south Pembrokeshire). In the main holiday season it's advisable to book in advance.

Walking & the Heritage Coast

Much of Cardigan Bay's spectacular and scenic coastline enjoys Heritage Coast status, which means that the landscape is of special interest and value and merits protection, particularly against over development. Some sections are also in the care of the National Trust. Most of the county's Heritage Coast is already linked by paths but a footpath running the entire 60-mile coastline is nearing completion. In fact, from seaside strolls and town trails to waymarked paths and rugged mountain hikes, Ceredigion is ideal walking country.Particularly enjoyable and challenging walks include the following:

The spectacular Heritage Coast.
The lush green river valleys of the Teifi, Aeron, Ysytwyth and Rheidol.
The hills, uplands and forests of the Cambrian Mountains.
Great walks such as Borth to Devil's Bridge.
Devil's Bridge to Pontrhydfendigaid.
Aberaeron to Lampeter, along the beautiful Aeron Valley.
Teifi estuary circular walks, taking in attractions such as the Welsh Wildlife Centre, Teifi Marshes National Nature Reserve, Cilgerran Castle, Mwnt church and St Dogmael's Abbey.
New Quay's Dylan Thomas trails.
Cardigan's October walking festival.

Wildlife & the environment

A special area of conservation and the UK's first designated Marine Heritage Coast, Cardigan Bay is of international importance for its marine wildlife. It provides shelter and protection for some of Britain's rarest birds and marine species - including porpoise, grey seals and a resident population of bottlenose dolphins.

Ceredigion also boasts many nature reserves and other areas of wildlife, countryside and environmental interest.

National Nature Reserves: Dyfi (at Ynyslas); Coed Rheidol (Devil's Bridge); Cors Caron(Tregaron); Coedmore (Cardigan)

Other Nature Reserves: RSPB Ynys-hir (Dyfi estuary); Pen Dinas and Tanybwlch Local Nature Reserves, Aberystwyth; Penglais Nature Park (Aberystwyth).

National Trust: Mwnt and Penbryn.

Picnic sites and walks: Tynbedw (Llanafan); The Arch (Cwmystwyth); Gogerddan Allt Ddel (Penryhncoch); Hafod Estate walks (Cwmystwyth); Cenarth;

Wildlife and other centres: Welsh Wildlife Centre (Cilgerran); Bwlch Nant yr Arian Forest Visitor Centre (Ponterwyd); Red Kite Centre (Tregaron); Cardigan Bay Marine & Wildlife Centre (New Quay); Shared Earth Trust (near Lampeter).