Itinerary Planner

Cambrian Line Day Out | Shrewsbury to Aberystwyth by Train

The Cambrian Line runs from Shrewsbury across Mid Wales to Aberystwyth on the Cardigan Bay coast, following the Severn and then the Dyfi. The full journey takes about an hour and 50 minutes, and trains run roughly every two hours, with through trains from Birmingham. This plan turns it into a day out, with a stop on the way and time by the sea.

Shrewsbury to Welshpool

Leave Shrewsbury in the morning and sit on the left for the first stretch. The line crosses into Wales before Welshpool, 20 minutes out, with the long ridge of the Long Mountain on one side and Powis Castle in its woods on the other. If you'd like to break the journey, the castle is a mile's walk from Welshpool station.

Newtown to Machynlleth

From Newtown, the line climbs through Caersws and up to the summit at Talerddig, once the deepest railway cutting in the world, before dropping down the Dyfi valley into Machynlleth. Machynlleth is a good place to stop for lunch and a walk up the main street to the clock tower.

The Dyfi estuary to the coast

After Dovey Junction, where the Cambrian Coast Line branches north to Barmouth and Pwllheli, sit on the right. The train runs beside the Dyfi estuary, with the sand dunes at Ynyslas and Aberdyfi across the water. Borth station is a short walk from the beach.

Aberystwyth

At Aberystwyth, walk down to the seafront and along the promenade to the Aberystwyth Cliff Railway, which climbs Constitution Hill for the view over the bay. If you have longer, the Vale of Rheidol Railway leaves from next to the main station for the hour-long steam trip to Devil's Bridge. Caffi Cledrau, at the Vale of Rheidol station, is open to everyone for coffee and cake.

Good to know

• Check times with Transport for Wales before travelling; Sunday services are fewer.
• The Vale of Rheidol Railway runs to a seasonal timetable.
• See our rail trail itineraries and train and bus stations pages.