Towns and Villages
From the larger towns for shopping to the cafes and gift shops of the smaller towns and villages, there’s something for everyone within easy reach.
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 many boat trips available to explore the full delights of the Cardigan Bay Marine Heritage Coast. Dylan Thomas lived in New Quay during 1944/45 and many of the characters and indeed New Quay itself, is thought to be the basis for his famous play for voices Under Milk Wood.
Aberaeron – a charming Georgian 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. The railways brought about the development of many coastal towns such as Aberaeron, Bournemouth and Brighton as holiday destinations. Shipbuilding also flourished with over 60 sailing vessels being built including 35 schooners ‘the greyhound of the ocean’ Aberaeron became a thriving and prosperous town. Aberaeron retains its Georgian character with elegant brightly painted town houses – there are 248 listed buildings in Aberaeron town and it is still a focal point for the rural communities in mid Cardigan Bay. Aberaeron is becoming something of a foodie delight. Enjoy a stroll around the harbour along Quay Parade, and enjoy lunch or afternoon tea at The Hive on the Quay or the award winning Cellar Restaurant and Bar – The Best Restaurant In Wales 2019. The excellent restaurant – The Harbour Master is situated on the harbour with views of the colourful houses across the water. 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. There are a number of festivals and events in the town which are worth looking out for when planning a trip here. In July there is the Aberaeron Regatta and August is busy with the Aberaeron Mackerel Fiesta, Aberaeron Carnival with it’s street floats and colour themed dress code and a Beer and Cider Festival. The 3km trip from the edge of town along the old railway track to the historic National Trust mansion and Walled garden at Llanerchaeron makes a lovely family day out. The wide level pedestrian pathway is ideal for cyclists, pushchairs or wheelchairs.
Aberaeron
Cardigan
The town of Cardigan a busy market town, it is also the home of a medieval castle. Its narrow streets allow you to get a feel of how it was to live in such a place many years ago, where the locals traded their wears and walked to their work each day. Those visiting Cardigan will find a number of quaint independent shops alongside better-known stores. The town is considered to be an important cultural centre and lays claim to being the location of the first National Eisteddfod of Wales way back in the year 1176. Indeed, Cardigan was once the second most important port in Wales. The town also hosts the national shrine of the Roman Catholic Church in Wales, which results in many pilgrims visiting the area every year. The area around Cardigan is worth visiting for its beautiful views and nature reserves with both the Welsh Wildlife Centre and Teifi Marshes Nature Reserve to be found close by. North of the town can be found the Ceredigion Heritage Coast and many wonderful sandy beaches. Cardigan Bay is also well known for being able to sight seals and dolphins without having to wait for days to do so! The name Cardigan is an anglicisation of the Welsh Ceredigion meaning “Ceridig’s land." Its location, strategically placed as it is on the banks of the River Teifi, explains why it was fortified during the early middle ages. Robert Montgomery built the town castle in 1093 following the Norman Conquest of 1066. As is common with such fortifications, a walled settlement developed around the castle once it was built.
Lampeter is an historic university and market town in the mid Teifi valley on the borders of Ceredigion and Carmarthenshire. University of Wales Lampeter College, Lampeter 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. St David’s College was established in 1822 and after Oxford and Cambridge is the oldest degree awarding institution in England and Wales. St David’s became part of the University of Wales in 1971 and today has around 1500 students. www.uwtsd.ac.uk/lampeter/ 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. Lampeter is an essential stop on any visit to West Wales. Enjoy the ambience of a largely unspoiled Welsh market town. Stroll through the grounds of the University with its neo gothic style Old Building, modelled on the Oxford quadrangle. Then take some refreshments in one of the many places to eat and drink.
Lampeter
Aberystwyth
Aberystwyth, meaning the mouth of the river Ystwyth, and commonly and colloquially known simply as ‘Aber’. It sitsin the middle of the rugged Ceredigion coastline. It's one of the biggest towns in Mid Wales and home to the University of Aberystwyth, Aberystwyth Arts Centre and Bronglais Hospital, Aberystwyth town centre is spread around variety of interesting roads - the street names and architecture reflect the history and growth of the town since the Middle Ages. You can expect to hear plenty of people using Welsh as they go about their daily lives. Most of the town centre is easy to get to from the railway station and car parks by the retail centres. Aberystwyth’s Victorian promenade is a mile long and the seafront also boasts the oldest pier in Wales (it was built in 1864), which offers the second best vantage point of Aberystwyth. And the best vantage point is at the end of north beach’s promenade, atop the 430 feet that is Constitution Hill. At the top of Constitution Hill, at the north end of the prom, you’ll find the world’s largest Camera Obscura, which provides a bird’s eye view of more than 1000 square miles, in a 360 degree sweep around Aberystwyth. The Camera Obscura is accessible via the Aberystwyth Cliff Railway. The longest cliff railway in Britain is a treat for all ages and offers superb views of the town, particularly the promenade’s famed autumn and winter starling murmurations. Local landmarks are Pen Dinas Hill, an Iron Age hillfort and Aberystwyth Castle. The English castle was built to keep the Welsh out in the 13th century, at the same time as Flint, Rhuddlan and Builth Wells’ castles were erected. Aberystwyth Arts Centre is worth a visit, as is its neighbour the National Library of Wales, home to historic books as well as the smallest book in the world. It’s also hosts painting and film exhibitions, and you can sit in comfort watching archive films from across Wales. Shopping There’s lots of lovely independent shops in Aberystwyth, so if you are stocking up on holiday gifts, bring an empty case. Polly boutique is a favourite for ladies contemporary fashions and accessories, Coastal Vintage does what it says on the tin and Ystwyth Books is a small charming second hand bookshop where it’s easy to get lost in the racks for a few hours. Siop y Pethe is such a beautifully named shop, meaning the ‘shop of cultural things’, but it sounds so much nicer in Welsh. As the title suggests, it sells a little bit of everything. Local artist Lizzie Spikes has a delightful shop called Driftwood Designs, she is also responsible for the window designs of menswear shop Cactws, and if the men in your life like quirky socks, make a whistle stop here too. Where to eat and drink Aberystwyth is a foodie heaven, with an abundance of options for all tastes and budgets.
Carmarthen sits on the banks of the River Tywi, some 8 miles before this beautiful river flows into Carmarthen Bay. Here Wales’ longest river is still tidal, which is why at one time Carmarthen was reputed to be the biggest port in Wales. Over the centuries the river has shaped the story of the town, providing, defence, leisure opportunities and livelihoods. Fishing the Tywi from coracles has happened in Carmarthen since before the Romans came. Now, very few Coracle Fishermen remain but it’s still possible to see them fishing for river trout (sewin) in the traditional Carmarthen coracles. Some say that Carmarthen is the oldest town in Wales, and It has a rich and colourful history. Today Carmarthen remains the County Town and County Hall stands proudly above the River Tywi alongside Carmarthen Castle. One of Carmarthen’s most famous early residents was Merlin the Magician. The Welsh name for the town, “Caerfyrddin”, means Merlin’s Fort and many believe the town was named after King Arthurs wizard. The Black Book of Carmarthen - the oldest manuscript written wholly in the Welsh language, contains poems about Merlin. One of the legends surrounding Merlin and Carmarthen is the story of Merlin’s Oak. It was located near the Priory Street in the town centre and the legend suggests if the tree fell, disaster would befall the town. Although it did fall, Carmarthen still thrives today. The Carmarthenshire County Museum in nearby Abergwili, is the best place to learn more about the towns past. As well as Arthurian legends, visitors can learn about the towns’ association with Franciscan Friars, it’s time as Capital of the Celtic Demetae tribe, its pivotal role in the rise of Chartism in Wales, and its Roman past. Although much of the evidence of Moridunum – Carmarthen’s name as a Roman Fort - lies beneath the streets of the town, the remains of the amphitheatre, which was the most westerly in the Roman Empire, can still be seen. Carmarthen has been a market town since Roman times and the modern indoor market sells everything from arts and crafts to local food and drink 6 days a week. On Wednesdays and Saturdays, the outdoor market comes to town and on the first Friday of each month the farmers market draws local and visitors alike. Beyond the market, Carmarthen is full of interesting independent shops and offers shopping as it should be. On King St, Oriel King Street Gallery, is an artist led gallery showing fine art, ceramics, photography, stained glass wood turning, textiles and sculpture. Many of the artists are based in Carmarthenshire and all the work is available for purchase. Another Gallery, Oriel Myrddin, can be found on Church Lane. Appropriately, it is located in the former School of Art.