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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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Cors Dyfi Nature Reserve

Address

Derwenlas, Machynlleth, Powys, SY20 8SR

Telephone
01654 781414

enquiries@dyfiospreyproject.com

Machynlleth

The Cors Dyfi reserve in the heart of the UNESCO Dyfi Biosphere is a mixture of bog, swamp, wet woodland and scrub supporting a plethora of animals and plants, including the magnificent ospreys and the recently introduced beavers.
Blaenau Ffestiniog

Address

Blaenau Ffestiniog, Gwynedd, LL41 3HS

Telephone
01766 512981

porthmadog.tic@gwynedd.gov.uk

Blaenau Ffestiniog

Blaenau Ffestiniog is famously known as the "slate capital of Wales" and the "town that roofed the world". Its industrial role has long since diminished, yet Blaenau Ffestiniog attracts many visitors because of its rich slate history.
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.
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.
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.
Wales Coast Path | Gower & Swansea Bay

Address

Margam Country Park - Llanmadoc, SA3 1DA

Telephone
0300 065 3000

wcp@cyfoethnaturiolcymru.gov.uk

This stretch of the Wales Coast Path is an area of contrasts; from the stunning coastline of the Gower Peninsula, with its award winning golden beaches, to the busy seaside city of Swansea and spectacular views over Swansea Bay.
Aberystwyth Railway Station

Address

Alexandra Rd, Aberystwyth, Ceredigion, SY23 1LH

Telephone
0800 464 0000

Aberystwyth

The railway station is the terminus of the Cambrian Line from Shrewsbury. Located close to the town centre, there is a taxi rank and bus station adjacent.
Churchstoke and Priest Weston (Cycle Route)

Address

Trefaldwyn | Montgomery, Powys, SY15 6HN

Powys

A lovely cycle ride requiring 2 miles on main road at the beginning, after which you will be on beautiful, country lanes.
19.3 Miles ( 31KM) 2-2.5hours - Elevation Ascent: 427m
Hereford Railway Station

Address

Station Approach, Barrs Court, Hereford, HR1 1BB

Telephone
0800 464 0000

Hereford

Hereford railway station is on the South to North Wales route between Newport and Shrewsbury.
75th Anniversary Gala | Talyllyn Railway

Address

Rheilffordd Talyllyn Railway, Gorsaf Wharf Station, Tywyn, Gwynedd, LL36 9EY

Telephone
01654 710472

enquires@talyllyn.co.uk

Tywyn

Celebrating 75 Years of The World’s First Preserved Railway
Aberystwyth Arts Centre

Address

Penglais, Aberystwyth, Ceredigion, SY23 3DE

Telephone
01970 623232

artstaff@aber.ac.uk

Aberystwyth

Award winning Aberystwyth Arts Centre is Wales’ largest arts centre and recognised as a 'national flagship for the arts'. It has a wide-ranging programme across all art forms including drama, dance, music, visual arts film & new media.
Knighton Railway Station

Address

Station Rd, Knighton, LD7 1DT

Telephone
0800 464 0000

Knighton

Knighton railway station is on the Heart of Wales Line from Shrewsbury to Swansea.
Harlech Castle (Cadw)

Address

Castle Square, Harlech, Gwynedd, LL46 2YH

Telephone
03000 252239

harlechcastle@gov.wales

Harlech

Explore the magnificent castle of Edward I at Harlech - which is inscribed on the World Heritage List. One of the most formidable and dominant fortresses in Wales. Panoramic views of Snowdonia and the sea. On site exhibition.
Llangrannog

Address

Ceredigion, SA44 6SD

Telephone
01239 613230

CardiganTIC@Ceredigion.gov.uk

Llangrannog is one of Ceredigion's favourite seaside resorts, seven miles south of New Quay. Its award winning sandy beaches nestle below the cliffs and are crossed by the Ceredigion section of the Wales Coast Path.
Bala & Penllyn | Walking Trails

Address

Bala & Penllyn, Bala, Gwynedd, LL23 7AD

Bala

The Bala & Penllyn area has a wide range of Walking Trails for everyone – including: all ability, children, heritage, scenic and mountain walks - and all through stunning mountain and lake scenery of southern Snowdonia.
Glyndwr's Way | Knighton - Llanidloes

Address

Trail Start - Knighton, Knighton - Felindre - Abbeycwmhir - Llanidloes, Powys, LD7 1EN

Telephone
01597 827562

helen.tatchell@powys.gov.uk

Knighton - Felindre - Abbeycwmhir - Llanidloes

The 135 m/217km National Trail is a long distance walk which can be enjoyed as a continuous journey, typically taking around nine days, or over a series of weekend or day trips.
Brecon Beacons | Black Mountains

Address

Nr Crickhowell, Powys

Nr Crickhowell

The Black Mountains in the Brecon Beacons National Park are spread across Powys, Monmouthshire and Herefordshire. Great for walking and the iconic Sugar Loaf Mountain is a great place to experience dark skies.
Usk Reservoir

Address

Nr Trecastle, Powys, LD3 8YF

Powys

The Usk Reservoir is a remote upland 280 acre reservoir surrounded by the Glasfynnedd Forest. Waymarked route around the reservoir for walking and cycling. Great for fishing and is one of the National Park's top ten sites for stargazing.
Ceredigion Coast Path | Llanrhystud-Aberystwyth

Address

Llanrhystud - Aberystwyth, Llanrhystud, Ceredigion, SY23 5BW

Telephone
01545 570602

aberaeronTIC@ceredigion.gov.uk

Llanrhystud

6th section of the Ceredigion Coastal Path Llanrhystud to Aberystwyth
Total Distance 17km (10.6 miles) Grade - moderate/hard
Despite being challenging this section of Heritage Coast is dramatic, lonely and extremely worthwhile.
North Clettwr Valley Walk

Address

Llandysul, Ceredigion, SA44 4DN

Telephone
01239 613230

cardigantic@ceredigion.gov.uk

Ceredigion

Part of Llandysul Trails - North Clettwr Valley Walk
Start: SN452425 - Car Park, Capel Dewi church hall
Suitable for: Moderately fit walkers
Grade: Easy
Distance: 3.2km/2M
Time: 1 hour (excluding rest stops)