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You are here: Destinations > Ceredigion Coast > Aberystwyth > Things to Do in Aberystwyth

Things to Do in Aberystwyth | Activities, Beaches and Culture

What Is There to Do in Aberystwyth?

More than you might expect for a town of 15,000 people. Aberystwyth has two beaches, a Victorian promenade, a cliff railway to the top of Constitution Hill, a ruined castle on the headland, and the National Library of Wales. It is a university town, which gives it a cultural life that punches well above its weight.

Along the Seafront

The promenade runs the length of the North Beach, from the castle ruins at the south end to Constitution Hill at the north. The cliff railway, the longest electric cliff railway in Britain, takes you to the top where there are views along the coast to the Llyn Peninsula on clear days. At the base, the old pier building sits between the two beaches.

Culture and Arts

Aberystwyth Arts Centre, part of the university campus on Penglais Hill, has a cinema, theatre, galleries and a cafe with views across the bay. The National Library of Wales holds free exhibitions and is one of only six legal deposit libraries in the UK. The Ceredigion Museum in the town centre, housed in the old Coliseum theatre, covers local history from the Iron Age onwards.

Walks from Town

The Ceredigion Coast Path runs through Aberystwyth in both directions. Walk north to Clarach Bay and on to Borth, or south towards Aberaeron on a cliff path with views down to rocky coves. Inland, the Vale of Rheidol leads to Devils Bridge, reachable on foot, by car, or on the Vale of Rheidol steam railway.

Nearby Days Out

Nant yr Arian forest, 20 minutes east, has walking trails, mountain biking and daily red kite feeding. Borth is ten minutes north with a long sandy beach and the Borth Animalarium. The Rheidol hydroelectric power station at Cwm Rheidol offers free tours in summer.

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Constitution Hill

Address

Aberystwyth, Ceredigion, SY23 2DN

Telephone
01970 612125

aberystwythtic@ceredigion.gov.uk

Aberystwyth

Constitution Hill rises dramatically 430 feet from the north end of Aberystwyth promenade. The views from the top are spectacular and on a clear day you can see Snowdon. Take the cliff railway to the summit or follow the coast path.
Burfa Bog Nature Reserve

Address

Presteigne, Powys, LD8 2SH

Telephone
01597 823298

info@rwtwales.org

Powys

A low-lying reserve with Knobley brook running through the wet grassland. Butterflies and flowers are abundant in the spring and summer months.
Gypsy & Folk Session | Gŵyl Machynlleth Festival

Address

Canolfan Owain Glyndwr Centre, Machynlleth, Powys, SY20 8EE

Telephone
01654 703355

info@moma.machynlleth.org.uk

Machynlleth

Dates

From:
26 Aug 2026Open 15:00 - 16:00

Experience a taster session of gypsy and folk flavoured music with the Budapest Cafe Orchestra.
Goytre Wharf & Canal Visitor Centre

Address

Goytre Wharf & Canal Visitor Centre, Llanover, Abergavenny, Monmouthshire, NP7 9EW

Telephone
01873 880516

abclg@goytrewharf.com

Abergavenny

Goytre Wharf is a 200 year old industrial heritage site that includes a busy visitor centre and marina on the Monmouthshire and Brecon Canal.
Mid Wales Rail Trails | Barmouth to Porthmadog.

Address

Barmouth Railway Station, Station Approach, Barmouth - Porthmadog, LL42 1LS

Barmouth - Porthmadog

Mid Wales Rail Trails | Points of interest travelling on the Cambrian Line from Barmouth to Porthmadog.
Craig Cerrig Gleisiad & Fan Frynych (NRW)

Address

Brecon Beacons, Nr Libanus, Powys, NP8 1LG

Telephone
0300 065 3000

enquiries@naturalresourceswales.gov.uk

Nr Libanus

Craig Cerrig-gleisiad and Fan Frynych National Nature Reserve is a 156 acre (631,000 m²) area of the Brecon Beacons National Park.
Pererindod Melangell Walk

Address

Llyn Efyrnwy | Lake Vyrnwy, Llanwddyn, Powys, SY10 0LY

Telephone
01691 870346

vyrnwy@rspb.org.uk

Llanwddyn

A spectacular 15 mile walk passing by Lake Vyrnwy, and leading to Britain's oldest Romanesque shrine at the ancient church of Pennant Melangell.
Cors Y Llyn Nature Reserve

Address

Newbridge-on-Wye, Builth Wells, Powys, LD2 3RU

Telephone
0300 065 3000

enquiries@naturalresourceswales.gov.uk

Builth Wells

The Cors y Llyn Reserve is one of several mires in the old county of Radnorshire and is located to the south of Newbridge-on-Wye.
Llys-y-Frân Lake & Visitor Centre

Address

Llys y Frân, Clarbeston Road, Pembrokeshire, SA63 4RR

Telephone
01437 532273

llysyfran@dwrcymru.com

Clarbeston Road

Llys y Frân Lake has reopened following a £4m refurbishment with a new Visitor Centre, cafe, cycle hire, fishing, walking, watersports, adventure playground and climbing wall
Ticket to Christmas – Rheidol Railway

Address

Rheidol Railway, Park Avenue, Aberystwyth, Ceredigion, SY23 1PG

Telephone
01970 625819

info@rheidolrailway.co.uk

Aberystwyth

Dates

From:

16 Dec 2026to23 Dec 2026

Experience the wonder of Christmas with a special festive trip on the Vale of Rheidol Railway. Climb aboard the much-loved Santa Special and enjoy a memorable steam train journey through the beautiful Welsh countryside, surrounded by the sights,…
The Globe at Hay

Address

Newport Street, Hay-on-Wye, Powys, HR3 5BG

Telephone
01497 821762

events@globeathay.org

Hay-on-Wye

The Globe at Hay is an independent arts centre, embracing an ever changing arts landscape; year round we showcase talent found on our doorstep.
Abermule and Bettws Cedewain (Cycle Route)

Address

Trefaldwyn | Montgomery, Powys, SY15 6HN

Powys

A moderate cycle ride on peaceful, rural lanes with two steep hills to reach both Montgomery and Dolforwyn Castles.
17.5Miles (28.2km) 2-2.5hrs - Elevation Total Ascent: 488m
Builth Road Railway Station

Address

Llechrhyd Terrace, nr Builth Wells, Powys, LD2 3PY

Telephone
0800 464 0000

feedback@traveline.cymru

nr Builth Wells

Builth Wells has a railway station two miles north of the town; Builth Road is on the Heart of Wales Line which runs from Shrewsbury to Swansea.
Aberystwyth Comedy Festival

Address

Aberystwyth, various locations, Aberystwyth, Aberystwyth, Ceredigion, SY23 3DE

boxoffice@abercomedyfest.co.uk

Aberystwyth

Dates

From:

2 Oct 2026to4 Oct 2026

Laugh your way through a weekend of top-class comedy in the heart of Ceredigion! With a fantastic mix of established names and rising stars, the Aberystwyth Comedy Festival promises plenty of laughs and unforgettable performances.
Fairbourne Railway Station

Address

Station Rd, Fairbourne, Gwynedd, LL38 2AQ

Telephone
0800 464 0000

Fairbourne

Fairbourne railway station is on the Cambrian Coast Line from Machynlleth to Pwllheli.
August Steam Gala | Bala Lake Railway

Address

Bala Lake Railway, Llanuwchlyn, Bala, Gwynedd, LL23 7DD

Telephone
01678 540666

enquiries@bala-lake-railway.co.uk

Llanuwchlyn, Bala

Dates

From:

29 Aug 2026to31 Aug 2026

August Steam Gala at Bala Lake Railway will feature all available steam locomotives in action with frequent passenger services, demonstration freight trains and the miniature railway running at Llanuwchllyn.
After Hours - Moz & Kizzy Live

Address

Hafan Yr Afon, Back Lane, Newtown, Powys, SY162NH

Telephone
07535 710 256

barry@hafanyrafon.com

Newtown

Dates

From:
28 Aug 2026Open 18:00 - 22:00

Blending blues, pop and rock with our own alternative twist, our sound takes inspiration from the likes of Jimi Hendrix, Imelda May, Radiohead, Billie Eilish, Muddy Waters and many more.
Rhaeadr Gwy | Rhayader

Address

Rhayader, Powys, LD6 5BU

Rhayader

A busy, historic market town, Rhayader is named after 'Rhayadr Gwy', a Welsh name for a local waterfall on the Wye. The town is situated in the very heart of Mid Wales in the beautiful Upper Wye Valley sheltered by the Cambrian Mountains.
Barmouth Beach

Address

Barmouth, Gwynedd, LL42 1NE

Telephone
01341 281617

info@barmouthstation.com

Gwynedd

Barmouth is southern Snowdonia’s most popular seaside resort. In summer, its big sandy beach is a magnet for visitors, yet there’s so much space along miles of unbroken sands that it never gets overcrowded.
Bryn-tail Leadworks (Cadw)

Address

Llyn Clywedog, Llanidloes, Powys, SY18 6NU

cadw@gov.wales

Llanidloes

The ruins of the Bryn-tail Leadworks lie in the shadow of the dam at the southern end of Llyn Clywedog Reservoir near Llanidloes Buildings and structures associated with the nineteenth-century extraction and processing of lead ore.
Llanrhystud Beach

Address

Aberystwyth, Ceredigion, SY23 5BU

Telephone
01970 612125

AberystwythTIC@Ceredigion.gov.uk

Ceredigion

The beach at Llanrhystud is a narrow shingle bank at high tide, but at low tide it becomes wide and sandy.