To provide you with the best experience, cookies are used on this site. Learn more

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.

#EDE8E3

Inspiration

Number of results: 1029

, currently showing 925 to 945.

Sort By: A-Z Lowest A-Z Highest

Dinas Oleu Walk

Address

Abermaw | Barmouth, Barmouth, Southern Snowdonia, LL42 1LS

Telephone
01341 440238

eryri@nationaltrust.org.uk

Barmouth

The Dinas Oleu Walk takes you from Barmouth town centre through the steep narrow winding streets of the Old Town and up to the top of the gorse-covered hill, known as Dinas Oleu (Citadel of Light).
Dyfi Discovery Walk | Pennal Walk

Address

Pennal, MACHYNLLETH, Powys, SY20 9DR

Telephone
0300 065 3000

MACHYNLLETH

Start: Pennal village
Grid Reference: SH 699 004
Distance: 13.2km – 8.3 miles
Grade: Strenuous – A mountain walk, not to be undertaken in poor visibility
Maps: OS Explorer – OL 23
Tal-y-bont Beach / Benar Beach

Address

Tal-y-bont, Barmouth, Gwynedd, LL44 2HD

Telephone
01341 281617

info@barmouthstation.com

Barmouth

To the north of Barmouth near Tal-y-bont, Bennar's fine, sandy beach is backed by the occasional sand dune.
Spirit of the Miners Circular Walk

Address

Pontarfynach | Devil's Bridge, Ceredigion, SY23 3JW

Telephone
01970 612125

aberystwythtic@ceredigion.gov.uk

Ceredigion

Part of 'Spirit of the Miners' Walks
Open fields, steep woodland trails, 3 river crossings
Start/Finish: SN738767 - Devils Bridge
Suitable for: Moderately fit walkers
Grade: Moderate
Distance: 110K/6M
Time: 3hrs
Glyndwr's Way National Trail

Address

Trail Start - Knighton, Powys, LD7 1EN

Telephone
01597 827562

helen.tatchell@powys.gov.uk

Powys

A 132 mile trail set in the heart of Mid Wales breathtaking countryside, dedicated to the 15c Welsh warrior and self proclaimed Prince Owain Glyndwr
Knighton Festival of Books, Art and Music 2026

Address

Knighton Community Centre, Bowling Green Lane, Knighton, Powys, LD7 1DR

Telephone
01547 740052

knightonfest@gmail.com

Knighton

Dates

From:

16 Oct 2026to25 Oct 2026

A lively celebration of music, arts and community in the heart of Knighton. Enjoy a fantastic programme of entertainment, performances and activities, bringing locals and visitors together for a memorable festival.

Price
Price £25.00 per adult
Brechfa Forest (NRW)

Address

Abergorlech, Carmarthenshire

Telephone
0300 065 3000

enquiries@naturalresourceswales.gov.uk

Carmarthenshire

The famous Brechfa Forest is managed by Natural Resources Wales for the benefit of people, wildlife, recreation and timber production.
Lon Las Cymru | Rhayader to Llangurig

Address

Rhaeadr Gwy | Rhayader, Powys, LD6 5BU

Telephone
01597 826605

Rhaeadr Gwy | Rhayader

Although this is not strictly a traffic free route, this minor gated road running down the Wye Valley carries next to no traffic as the main A470 runs parallel, on the other side of the valley, all the way from Llangurig to Rhayader.
Blaenau Ffestiniog Railway Station

Address

Church St, Blaenau Ffestiniog, Gwynedd, LL41 3HE

Telephone
0800 464 0000

Blaenau Ffestiniog

Blaenau Ffestiniog railway station is the terminus of the Conwy Valley Line from Llandudno Junction; most trains run from/to Llandudno. Trains connect with the North Wales Coast Line. It is also the terminus of the Ffestiniog Railway.
Barmouth & the Mawddach Valley | Cycle Routes

Address

Abermaw | Barmouth, Barmouth, Southern Snowdonia, LL42 1LS

Telephone
01341 280787

barmouth.tic@gwynedd.gov.uk

Barmouth

With the development of Trans Wales cycle routes, Barmouth has become an ideal centre for a cycling based holiday. The dramatic beauty of North & Mid Wales offers a vast array of cycling opportunities for all types of cyclists.
The Beacons Way Walk

Address

National Park Visitor Centre, Libanus, Brecon, Powys, LD3 8EL

Telephone
01874 623366

visitor.centre@breconbeacons.org

Brecon

The Beacons Way walk offers some of the best views the National Park has to offer. If you want to complete the whole 163 km (101 mile) walk it takes eight days, or you can do it one day at a time at your convenience.
Radnor Forest | Warren Wood (NRW)

Address

Near New Radnor, New Radnor, Powys, LD8 2TN

Telephone
0300 065 3000

enquiries@naturalresourceswales.co.uk

New Radnor

Warren Wood has been popular with tourists for over 200 years because of the waterfall known as Water-Break-its-Neck. The waymarked trail along a gorge and explore the woodland with some of the largest trees in Radnorshire.
Aberdyfi Circular Walk off the Wales Coast Path

Address

Aberdyfi | Aberdovey, Gwynedd, LL35 0ED

Telephone
01286 679217

tourism@gwynedd.gov.uk

Aberdyfi | Aberdovey

Circular walk starting from the popular coastal town of Aberdyfi. Stunning sandy beach, medieval castle site, tales of sunken villages, and far-reaching views of the Dyfi estuary and Cambrian coast are all part of this short but scenic walk.
Oswestry 10k Run

Address

Start: Smithfield Street, Oswestry, Shropshire, SY11 2EG

Telephone
07595 031 333

hello@adrenalinesportingevents.co.uk

Oswestry

Dates

From:
11 Oct 2026

The Oswestry 10k brings together an active community of people taking part in sporting events for reasons ranging from fitness, competition, charity, health, fun or to simply finish.
Craig y Cilau National Nature Reserve (NRW)

Address

Llangattock, Crickhowell, NP8 1LG

Telephone
01874 620860

office@visitbrecon.org.uk

Crickhowell

This former limestone quarry is one of Wales' most outstanding botanical sites, famous for its exceptional variety of alpine plants and trees, some extremely rare.
Walking Newtown | Brimmon Wood & Kerry

Address

Y Drenewydd | Newtown, Newtown, Powys, SY16 2BB

Telephone
01686 625544

townclerk@newtown.org.uk

Newtown

The Brimmon Wood & Kerry walk starts and ends in the centre of Newtown. It is mainly off-road walking with a few short sections on quiet lanes.
Bwlch Nant yr Arian | Running Trails (NRW)

Address

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

Telephone
01970 890453

bnya@naturalresourceswales.gov.uk

Ponterwyd, Aberystwyth

Bwlch Nant yr Arian is famous for feeding red kites daily. Range of waymarked walking, mountain biking, running and horse-riding trails and a mountain bike skills park. Café, shop and play area.
Dyfi Discovery Walk | Centre for Alternative Technology Walk

Address

Centre For Alternative Technology, Llwyngwern Quarry, Pantperthog, Machynlleth, Powys, SY20 9AZ

Telephone
0300 065 3000

Pantperthog, Machynlleth

Start: Centre for Alternative Technology
(C.A.T) car park
Grid Reference: SH 754 044
Distance: 7.1 km – 4.4 miles
Grade: Moderate (some steep sections)
Terrain: Firm tracks, roads and open grassland
Maps: OS Explorer OL23 or 215
Oswestry Bus Station

Address

Station Road, Oswestry, SY11 1QP

Telephone
0800 464 0000

feedback@trawscymru.info

Oswestry

Oswestry bus station is in the centre of the town next to the Aldi store with services to Shrewsbury, Welshpool, Newtown, Machynlleth and Wrexham.
Llanidloes

Address

Llanidloes, Powys, SY18 6EQ

information@llanidloes.com

Llanidloes

Llanidloes is a small historic market town in Mid Wales; it is the first town along the River Severn.
Gogerddan Wood (NRW)

Address

Gogerddan, Aberystwyth, Ceredigion, SY23 3ED

Telephone
0300 065 3000

enquiries@naturalresourceswales.gov.uk

Aberystwyth

Just three miles from Aberystwyth, Gogerddan is an easy-to-find woodland with a small picnic site. The woodland is carpeted with bluebells in spring. The short walking trail is signposted from the car park.