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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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Bala & Penllyn | Scenic Drives

Address

Bala & Penllyn, Bala, Gwynedd, LL23 7AD

Bala

Explore Bala & Penllyn by road using the free Trail leaflets, which you can download. Each Trail has fascinating local history information, picnic locations, walks, refreshments and toilets.
www.GoBala.org
Harlech Beach

Address

Harlech, Gwynedd, LL46 2UG

Telephone
01286 679686

tourism@gwynedd.llyw.cymru

Harlech

Harlech beach is an ideal place for children to play and an even better spot for adults to sit back and relax. The beautiful sand dunes are the reason behind the area’s designation as a National Nature Reserve and Site of Special Scientific Interest.
Radnor Ring Cycle Route

Address

Rhaeadr Gwy | Rhayader, Powys, LD6 5BU

Rhaeadr Gwy | Rhayader

A circular 84 mile route following quiet country lanes, and crossing some of Mid-Wales' most spectacular scenery. For those with mountain-bike skills, there are exciting off-road alternatives.
RSPB Gwenffrwd-Dinas Nature Reserve

Address

Ystradffin, Llandovery, Carmarthenshire, SA20 0PG

Telephone
02920 353000

gwenffrwd.dinas@rspb.org.uk

Llandovery

This delightful reserve is set in the heart of Mid Wales near Ystradffin, Rhandirmwyn. Dinas is a pleasant circular walk, part of the circuit is steep with difficult terrain. Strong footwear is advised.
Dolgellau

Address

Southern Snowdonia, Dolgellau, Gwynedd, LL40 1PS

Dolgellau

Dolgellau is the ideal base to explore southern Snowdonia's dramatic scenery, adrenalin-fuelled activities and world heritage attractions. It's a historic mountain town built on the wool trade and steeped in folklore.
Pwllheli Railway Station

Address

Station Square, Pwllheli, Gwynedd, LL53 5HG

Telephone
0800 464 0000

Pwllheli

Pwllheli railway station is the terminus of the Cambrian coast Line from Machynlleth.
Aberystwyth | North Beach & Promenade

Address

Aberystwyth, Ceredigion, SY23 2BQ

Telephone
01970 612125

AberystwythTIC@Ceredigion.gov.uk

Aberystwyth

Aberystwyth's North Beach and seafront is a focal point of the town and a favourite attraction for visitors and locals alike.
Sustrans Route 82:Machynlleth -Fishguard

Address

Sustrans Route 82:Machynlleth - Fishguard, Machynlleth Town Centre, SY20 8AB

Telephone
01179268893

Machynlleth Town Centre

This section of route 82 heads South towards Aberystwyth but the route is still under construction. Beyond Aberystwyth the route heads along the old railway line towards Tregaron and Lampeter. The route finishes in Fishguard.
Coed Rheidol Nature Reserve (NRW)

Address

Coed Rheidol Nature Reserve (NRW), Devil's Bridge, Ceredigion, SY23 3JW

Telephone
0300 065 3000

enquiries@naturalresourceswales.gov.uk

Devil's Bridge

Coed Rheidol is situated about 12 miles east of Aberystwyth. It occupies parts of both banks of the Afon Rheidol, upstream, and the south bank downstream of Devil's Bridge.
Knighton Bus Station

Address

Bowling Green Lane, Knighton, LD7 1DR

Telephone
0800 464 0000

feedback@traveline.cymru

Knighton

Knighton bus station is off Bowling Green Lane with services to Ludlow.
Bwlch Nant yr Arian | Walking Trails (NRW)

Address

Bwlch Nant yr Arian, Bwlch Nant yr Arian Visitor Centre, Ponterwyd, Aberystwyth, Ceredigion, SY23 3AB

Telephone
0300 065 3000

enquiries@naturalresourceswales.gov.uk

Ponterwyd, Aberystwyth

Bwlch Nant yr Arian Visitor Centre sits at the head of a dramatic valley and has commanding views of Cardigan Bay and the Cambrian Mountains. Expect beautiful scenic walking trails all of which are waymarked and start from the visitor centre.
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.
Machynlleth Railway Station

Address

Heol y Doll, Machynlleth, Powys, SY20 8BL

Telephone
0800 464 0000

Machynlleth

Machynlleth railway station is on the Cambrian Line from Shrewsbury to Aberystwyth. Trains also depart from here for the Cambrian Coast Line to Pwllheli.
Taff Trail | Cardiff to Brecon

Address

Cardiff, CF10 1AH

Telephone
0300 303 2604

supporters@sustrans.org.uk

Cardiff

The Taff Trail is a 55mile/93km way-marked route for walkers and cyclists running from Cardiff to the Brecon Beacons National Park. Largely traffic-free, the 55 mile trail passes through a variety of landscapes.
Dyfi Valley & Coast

Address

Mid Wales, Machynlleth, Powys, SY20 8SR

Machynlleth

The Dyfi Valley opens wide as it approaches Cardigan Bay Coast and ends in sandy beaches and dunes. It cradles the westerly spur of Powys, Ceredigion north of Aberystwyth, and the southern rim of Snowdonia National Park.
Wales Coast Path | New Quay - Aberaeron

Address

Cei Newydd | New Quay, New Quay - Aberaeron, Ceredigion, SA46 0JP

Telephone
01970 612125

countryside@ceredigion.gov.uk

New Quay - Aberaeron

New Quay to Aberaeron is a popular section of the Wales Coast Path that presents no major challenges. The walk is a distance 10.5km (6.5miles)
Lake Vyrnwy Half Marathon

Address

Lake Vyrnwy, Llanwddyn, Powys, SY10 0LT

Telephone
07595 031 333

hello@adrenalinesportingevents.co.uk

Llanwddyn

Take on this scenic Half Marathon around Lake Vyrnwy, nestled at the foot of the Berwyn Mountains.
NCN Lon Cambria

Address

Mid Wales, SY20 8TG

Telephone
01654 702653

info@showmewales.co.uk

Lon Cambria is a 113-mile cycle route in the National Cycle Network which runs from Aberystwyth on the west coast of Wales, through the Cambrian Mountains and the Mid Wales Marches to Shrewsbury.
New Quay Music Festival

Address

Parc Arthur, Mill Street, New Quay, Ceredigion, SA45 9QD

Telephone
01545 560688

info.nqmf@googlemail.com

New Quay

New Quay Wales Music Festival is a local run music and arts festival taking place in the small fishing town of New Quay.
Dyfi Discovery Walk | Ceinws to Llanwrin Walk

Address

Ceinws, Machynlleth, Powys, SY20 8BL

Telephone
0300 065 3000

Machynlleth

Start: Ceinws village
Grid Reference: SH760 059
Distance: 11.3 km – 7 miles (additional 0.7km - 0.4 miles to Llanwrin)
Grade: Moderate / Strenuous
Terrain: Firm tracks, open fields
Maps: OS Explorer 215