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.