Aberystwyth, West Wales

Welcome to West Wales

Carmarthen (Welsh: Caerfyrddin)

An hour north of Mumbles, leaving Swansea and Mumbles behind, the landscape grew more magical. Carmarthen sits on the River Tywi and claims to be the oldest town in Wales. It has an indoor market, galleries, excellent shops and supermarkets, a golf club and a leisure centre with a swimming pool amongst other facilities. 

We had a coffee and a sweet treat at Mason Coffee House, which was initially a cottage but is now a quaint little coffee shop full of good old fashion hospitality and a warm welcome by the local Welsh shop owner.

Holiday cottages in Carmarthen are popular with those who like to be close to the facilities of a town but enjoy access to nearby countryside and beaches.

 Click here to find your perfect Carmarthen holiday cottages.

Aberystwyth (West Wales)

A further hour and a half travel to wales from Carmarthen, we drove towards the coast and were pleasantly welcomed by a quaint seaside town called Aberystwyth, which the locals call ‘Aber’ and means “the mouth of the Ystwyth”. We didnt plan this stop but were curious to drive along the coast to see what it had to offer, and we are so glad we did.

Along the rugged Ceredigion coast, surrounded by beautiful forests, Aberystwyth is one of Wales’ finest gems, also known as a university town and the centre of learning for Wales. It has a thriving arts scene, a Victorian promenade and an impressive historical pier. For next road trip in west coast , we could have easily spent a few days relaxing and exploring this quaint town

Places Of Interest in Aberystwyth

Aberystwyth Castle

As you approach Aberystwyth, the ruined Aberystwyth Castle stands adorned on the seafront, overlooking a quaint town. Dating back to the 13th century, after the First Welsh War, it has seen many battles and sieges since its construction, but today it’s a lovely place to take in its history and admire views of the town and the Irish sea. In recent years, Aberystwyth’s City Council has created a beautiful park where visitors can stroll or sit and admire their surroundings. 

The Promenade

Walking along the promenade is probably one of the best things in Aberystwyth. The boardwalk stretches the length of the town and, with a stroll, will take approximately an hour to walk.

While walking, enjoy the waves on one side, the colourful terraced houses on the other and look out for the local dolphins that call this bay home. Visit the pier where there are restaurants and bars or have a gelato. If you feel energetic, take a half-hour walk along the promenade from the pier to Constitution Hill!

Constitution Hill

Along the Wales Coast Path, located on Cardigan Bay north of Aberystwyth, Constitution Hill is a trail great for hiking and walking. It takes less than 2 hours approximately to get to the top, and it is considered a moderately challenging route.

Once at the top, you can admire spectacular views of Aberystwyth and Cardigan Bay through one of the world’s largest Camera Obscura’s, offering a birdseye view of the seascape. But please wear sensible shoes and be very careful around the cliff edges as it can be dangerous.

Alternatively, you can take the longest funicular electric cliff train, which has been transporting visitors to the summit since opening in 1896.

National Library of Wales

Take a tour of the National Library of Wales. It’s free to enter, and you will be amazed that this is the only library in the UK with every book published within it. The building looks like Buckingham Palace on the hill that overlooks the town.

St. Michael's Church

Perched right behind the castle, St. Michael’s Church is an impressive church steeped in history. Free to enter, it’s a great place to see one of the most remarkable churches in all of West Wales

Aberystwyth University (Welsh: Prifysgol Aberystwyth)

Founded in 1872, Aberystwyth University is a public research university with a long tradition of academic excellence and is one of the top public universities in Aberystwyth.

Where To Stay

We recommend using Booking.com for accommodation options.

Where To Eat

There are many restaurants in Aberystwyth to suit all tastes but if you love seafood, head to the popular Pysgoty on the harbour or for a special treat, try Gwesty Cymru serving modern Welsh cuisine.

Some links in this post are affiliate links, which means if you click on the link and purchase an item, I will receive a commission at no extra cost to you. All opinions are my own.

 

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