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Ceredigion

One of the largest counties within Wales but is the least populated with only 70,000 people. The majority of the population are fluent speakers of Welsh and English and live in around 150 towns, villages and rural communities.

Main towns and events in the area when staying in Wales.

Cardigan- Market town located on the River Teifi providing local and traditional butchers, bakers and grocery shops along with local arts and crafts. There is an indoor market in the Guildhall Heritage centre. The town also boasts the Theatre Mwldan and Art Gallery. Cardigan is also the main town at the northern end of the Pembrokeshire Coastal Path. There is a regular bus service from Finch Square to the start of the walk at Poppit Sands. Cardigan has many events throughout the year including the following: Gwyl Fawr - The Famous Cardigan Eisteddfod in June/July. Agricultural Show in July. The River and Food festival in August. St Dogmaels Regatta in August. Carnival day in August. Festival of walking in October

Poppit Sands - For a fantastic seaside holiday head to the popular destination of Poppit Sands, a delightful beach resort full of adventure and excitement that will entertain the whole family. Located in Ceredigion, South West Wales, Poppit Sands is surrounded by breathtaking scenery providing an ideal location for those who take pleasure in the outdoors.

New Quay - A picturesque seaside town on the Cardigan Bay Coast. New Quay was once a shipbuilding and fishing centre but today small local fishing and pleasure craft still come and go. New Quay's beaches extend around the bay where you can regularly see bottle nosed dolphins swimming and diving. For a chance to see these creatures close up take a boat trip with Winston Evans Boats trips and explore the Cardigan Marine Heritage Coast. Dylan Thomas lived in New Quay during 1944/45. A book 'The Dylan Thomas Trail' includes many walks around New Quay following the steps of the great poet.

Aberaeron - is an idyllic port side town situated in the county of Ceredigion in South West Wales. Aberaeron is one of Wales’ very first planned towns. The idea of developing a port at the Aeron’s mouth came from a local Reverend in the nineteenth century. The town of Aberaeron offers such a diverse range of things to see and do including watersports, walking, historic attractions, wildlife spotting and much more making it a perfect place to choose your holiday home from which to explore. One of the town’s most striking features is the architecture. One house in four is listed either as being of special architectural or historical interest. The best way to explore the town is to follow the town trail. The Aberaeron Town Trail was established in 2007 during the bicentennial celebrations - 200 years since the Act of Parliament to create the new harbour. Twenty two notable locations within the town were chosen, and each was given a commemorative bronze plaque in the shape of the 'Aberaeron shovel' a shovel produced in the forge of the Davies family from the 1850s until the 1930s. The town of Aberaeron has a rich and incredibly interesting maritime history that is sure to interest many visitors.

Lampeter - A University and market town situated in the mid Teifi Valley on the borders of Ceredigion and Carmarthenshire. The town is the home of the University of Wales Lampeter College although it was established as an agricultural centre. Today tourism and the University drives the local economy but despite the decline in agriculture the town still retains the regular Cattle Mart, Antique Action, Horse Fair and the annual Food Festival.

Aberystwyth - The culture capital of Wales, Aberystwyth is home to the National Library, University and the recently redeveloped Arts Centre with its concert hall, cinema, exhibition space, café and design shop. Ceredigion Museum located in the Edwardian Coliseum Museum Music Hall has permanent displays on agriculture, seafaring and lead mining, plus temporary exhibitions throughout the year.Being a University town Aberystwyth has many bars, cafes and shops. There are market halls every Wednesday and Saturday and a farmers market on the third Friday of the month. A walk along the Victorian promenade takes you to Constitution Hill where you can take a ride to the top on the longest cliff railway in the world. For a dramatic view over Cardigan Bay visit the ruin of the castle at the southern end of Aberystwyth. Special events throughout the year include: Aberystwyth Plant Fair - April. Celtic Challenge Rowing Race - May. Monthly farmers market. Aberystwyth Food Fair – September

LLandysul - This town built around its ancient church, a large proportion is now quite rightly a conservation area, stands on one of the finest fishing rivers (fishing-in-wales.com) in Wales. This area of Ceridigion is well known for angling and white-water canoeing. The Teifi River and its tributaries drives flour and woolen mills and the National Museum of Wale's museum of the Welsh Woollen Industry is located nearby at Drefach Felindre. You can a pay a visit not only to the Museum of the Welsh Woollen industry but also to other remaining working mills in the area. Llandysul and Pont Tyweli are ideally situated for exploring the varied and beautiful counties of Ceredigion, Pembrokeshire, Carmarthenshire and the Brecon Beacons. They are almost equidistant from the larger towns of Cardigan, Carmarthen and Lampeter.Whilst it is an excellent centre for walkers and cyclists, it also has all the major banks and an exciting array of shops and a fortnightly cattle market.

Ffos-y-ffin - is a village near the coastal town of Aberaeron, in the county of Ceredigion in Mid Wales. Ideally situated on the scenic coastal road between the lively summer resort of Newquay with its beach and harbour and the historic maritime town of Aberaeron, Ffos Y Ffin presents a quiet and more secluded location which is perhaps why its is also known as a great place to spot the famous red kites that populate this part of Wales. One of the village’s most interesting businesses in the brewery, Ffos Y Ffin Brewery is located just outside Ffos Y Ffin village in the hills of the Welsh valleys. The Brewery has been running for over a hundred years producing the best quality lager and ale. The family brewers have been a popular with locals and the rest of Wales for decades and now, with thanks to the internet are beginning to get world wide appeal and support. All beer and ale is made in the traditional way and so is off the highest quality and flavour. There is an abundance of things to see and do in the surrounding county of Ceredigion. Take a 30 minute trip North up the coast and you will come to Aberystwyth. The largest town on Cardigan Bay and liveliest seaside resort in Wales,

Llanarth - is a small village, near the coast in the county of Ceredigion. An ancient settlement, Llanarth is among the oldest in Ceredigion. Set just inland from the Cardigan Bay coast, it is centred on the crossroads formed where the A487 coast road meets the B4342 to New Quay and ideally situated within three miles of the town ofAberaeron. There is an abundance of things to see and do nearby, particularly in the town of Newquay. Here you will find a harbour, beach and several small shops. From Newquay you can take a boat trip around the heritage coast, and as well as being a great way to see the spectacular coastline, it also is a great opportunity to spot some wildlife including dolphins and seals! For the more active and adventurous Cardigan Bay Active takes groups on activities such as sea kayaking or coasteering and if getting wet in the surf isn’t your thing why not try a bushcraft course to brush up on your nature skills.

Mwnt- is a small and ancient parish in the county of Ceredigion in Mid Wales. Mwnt is around 5 miles from the popular seaside town of Cardigan which is the second largest town in the county. Mwnt got its name from the prominent, steep, conical hill that rises above the beach and is seen as a landmark for much of Cardigan Bay. Mwnt is particularly known for its beach, from which bottlenose dolphins can be seen, and the best viewing times of year are April - September. The Daily Mail once listed it in their top ten loveliest hidden beaches in Europe which gives you an idea of how unique and special this place is. The beach is relatively small compared with others in Ceredigion and the nearby Pembrokeshire Coast National Park but it is no less spectacular in its own way. A small sandy cove backed by hills covered in lush green grass that drop down into the gleaming blue sea,

Llangrannog- The seaside village of Llangrannog lies alongside the stunning coastline of Ceredigion in Mid Wales. Sitting in a narrow valley, the river Hawen runs through the village into Cardigan Bay, at one point the valley is so steep that the river runs in a cascading waterfall. Llangrannog is frequently referred to as one of the most attractive villages on the Ceredigion coast and it’s not hard to see why with its small winding streets, gorse covered hills and wonderful views over the beach. The village of Llangrannog was established around the church in the 6th century. The village developed rapidly with the fishing industry. A total of around 24 ships were built on the nearby beach and until 1914 almost all the male inhabitants were seafarers. Today Llangrannog is a popular destination for those seeking an active break in Walesor families planning a seaside summer holiday.

Cwmtydu - Cwmtydu, once a smugglers cove is nestled into the coastline 4 miles south of Newquay and is part of the Ceredigion Heritage Coast. There are two ways to reach Cwntydu, by car or the healthy way....shank's pony (walking). The beach is comprised of stone and sand bordered by rocks, you can swim in this area, but with caution. Atlantic grey seals can sometimes be seen with their pups amongst the rocks from August onwards, these should not be approached at any time. A small cafe is open in season where you can purchase drinks, hot and cold snacks and takeaways. Two car parks are available, one on the seafront and the other on the approach road 200 yards before reachingthe beach, this one has public toilets. Another way to view Cwmtydu is by pleasure boat trips from New Quay.

Borth - is a coastal village 7 miles North of Aberystwyth in the county of Ceredigion in Mid Wales. Borth is an old fishing hamlet which boasts one of Ceredigion’s longest and most golden beaches which stretches over two miles to Ynyslas where the Dyfi National Nature Reserve can be found. Borths’ award winning beach has wonderful shallow waters making it particularly popular for families with younger children. Borth presents a great opportunity for those seeking a walking holiday in Wales as there is such as unique and diverse landscape that you are sure to never tire of. The Dyfi Nature Reserve is home to an abundance of wildlife, flora and fauna just waiting to be explored. The Dyfi Nature Reserve is made up of three parts: Cors Fochno, an internationally important peat bog; Dyfi Estuary, an internationally important feeding ground for thousands of wading birds and the beach and sand dunes of Ynyslas, enjoyed by around quarter of a million people every year.

Borth and Ynyslas Golf Club. - The oldest eighteen hole links course in Wales.

Dyfi Estuary National Nature Reserve.

RSPB Ynys-Hir Reserve. - The most extensive network of walks and bird watching hides in Wales.

Dyfi Furnace. - An 18th century restored furnace and water wheel.

Devils Bridge. - Internationally famous for its waterfalls and Narrow Gauge Steam Railway, Devils Bridge is situated at the head of the Rheidol Valley amidst the Plynlimon hill range. Two rushing streams - the Mynach and Rheidol descend dramatically into a gorge below the village where over time three different bridges have been built, one on top of the other. Visitors can enjoy several footpaths and walks to view the bridges and waterfalls.

Tregaron - The market town of Tregaron lies near the mountainous source of the river Teifi and nestles at the southern end of a massive expanse of raised bog - Cors Goch Caron. To the east climbs mile after mile of heathered upland, once the haunt of Twn Sion Cati, the Robin Hood of Wales. Attractions to visit near by -

Cors Caron National Nature Reserve. - Over 170 species of bird have been recorded here.

Strata Florida Abbey, - near Pontrhydfendigaid. The magnificent Norman arch still stands. Some of the last native Princes of South Wales are buried here.

Tregaron Harness Racing. - Harness racing is a regular feature throughout the summer months.

Things to do in the area

Cardigan Island Coastal Farm Park - This unique farm park is located on a scenic headland overlooking the nature reserve of Cardigan Island. A colony of Atlantic grey seals breed in the many caves below the cliffs and can be seen every day. They bask on the rocks at low tide especially in warm weather. The seals give birth during September and October and you can see the pups lying on the rocks below. Cardigan Bay is also home to the only resident population of bottled nosed dolphins in England and Wales. They are frequent visitors to this part of the coast and can often be seen from the farm park. Also at the park are a variety of farm animals including goats, sheep, welsh and Shetland ponies, rare breed cattle, pigs, ducks, geese, llamas, wallabies, emus and rheas. The adventure playground has swings, slides and a sand pit. The farm is located 3 miles from Cardigan near the small village of Gwbert and is open from 9.30am to 6pm. Admission prices are £3 for those aged 14 years and over, £2 for those aged 2 to 13 and under two's are free. Dogs are allowed as long as they are kept on leads.

Dyfed Shire and Leisure Farm - Working Shire Horse Farm with indoor and outdoor activities. See the horses in harness, ploughing and harrowing demonstrations, tractor and trailer tours of the farm complete with a commentary on the history and workings of the farm. Indoor activities include: Craft demonstrations, face painting, bouncy castle and play area, horse/wagon ride. Outdoor activities include: Crazy golf, trampolines, swing boats, junior roller coaster, Quad bike hire. Free parking, café, located 8 miles south of Cardigan.

Centre for Alternative Technology - Located near the town of Machynlleth against the backdrop of Snowdonia this attraction is Europe's leading Eco Centre. The centre is concerned with presenting solutions to environmental problems creating a positive approach and demonstrating all kinds of environmental technologies. Not only can you learn about the environment but you can also enjoy the gardens, shops and excellent vegetarian restaurant.

New Quay Honey Farm - Wales' largest working honey farm where honey and bees wax products are produced and sold. This all weather attraction includes the following: World of the Honey Bee Exhibition. Tropical Ant Colony. Meadery with exhibition. Shop selling honey products and mead. Tearoom. Picnic area.

Opening times: Easter to 31st October 10am - 5.30pm, November to 24th December 11am - 5pm. Location: Cross Inn, New Quay.

Cae Hir Ornamental Gardens - Located in Crybyn near Lampeter these very special gardens should not be missed. Facilities at the gardens include plants for sale, tea, coffee and biscuits, parking, guided tours by prior arrangement. Opening times - daily from 1pm to 6pm. Charges - Adults £4.50, Senior Citizens £4.00, Children (6-16) 50p.

Coastal Voyages - Catamaran trips from Aberaeron. These 1 and 2 hour voyages explore the inshore waters of Cardigan Bay. There is a great variety of wildlife in the bay and these trips offer the opportunity to see birds and animals close up in their own environment. Operating between Easter and October, departure times are dependant on the tidal cycle therefore please call Aberaeron Sea Aquarium on 01545 570142 for times, prices and bookings. You will need to wear warm clothing and bring a waterproof jacket, please also wear appropriate foot wear, as the floor of the boat will be wet.

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