Aberystwyth Guide, Wales
Aberystwyth is a coastal resort town on Cardigan Bay almost in the centre of Wales.
The town of around 18,000 people is in the beautiful district of Ceredigion formerly the county of Cardiganshire.
The university and the National Library of Wales add cultural charisma to what is now a mainly holiday destination.
History
The town dates back to the 12th century and the construction of a castle here by the invading Normans.
This fortress no longer exists but stood at what is now Tan-Y-Castell. Edward I built the much more substantial Aberystwyth Castle to replace it.
This stands in ruins in the centre of town having been slighted during the time of Oliver Cromwell in 1649. Until this time the castle served as a mint producing silver coins from the local mines.
Lead mining and fishing were the other main industries before the mid-19th century.
1864 was an auspicious year for Aberystwyth with the coming of the railway and the opening of the Royal Pier, designed by Eugenius Birch, who also built piers in Blackpool, Brighton, Bournemouth, Margate and Plymouth.
A tourist boom resulted in the construction of several hotels and fine townhouses that give the town its character today.
In 1896, the Aberystwyth Cliff Railway opened to take visitors to the top of Constitution Hill. It is the second-longest funicular in the UK and a popular and fun tourist attraction.
Over the years, Aberystwyth has suffered from severe storms despite the building of a sea wall. The 1936 and 2014 storms were particularly destructive.
Aberystwyth University has its roots in University College Wales founded in 1872. Over 8,000 students now study here. Its three faculties specialize in Arts and Social Sciences, Business and Physical Sciences and Earth and Life Sciences. The Grade I listed Old College designed by John Nash and dating from 1795 is where the original University College Wales began. It is just off the New Promenade in the middle of the town.
The National Library of Wales (Llyfrgell Genedlaethol Cymru) in Aberystwyth was established in 1907 and is the biggest library in Wales. The complete collection has over 6.5 million books and periodicals in addition to photographs, drawings and maps. These include the Black Book of Carmarthen - the oldest text in Welsh dating from the 12th century on display in the Hengwrt Room.
Aberystwyth Arts Centre is one of Wales' largest art centres and part of Aberystwyth University on the Penglais campus.
Ceredigion Museum
The Amgueddfa Ceredigion Museum is housed in the Coliseum, a theatre and then cinema that opened in 1905. The stage still exists and this fine museum exhibits a diverse collection of items showcasing the history of the town and the surrounding area.
The museum also hosts temporary exhibitions throughout the year.
There's a museum shop selling work by local artists and crafts people from the area. These include books, postcards, wooden toys and tea towels.
The museum is open Monday to Saturday, 10 am to 5 pm.
Coliseum
Terrace Road
Aberystwyth
Ceredigion
SY23 2AQ
Tel: 01970 633088
www: ceredigionmuseum.wales
Beaches
The town's two main beaches are conveniently named North Beach and South Beach and split by the pier. The stony Tanybwlch Beach is where the rivers Rheidol and Ystwyth meet.
Aberystwyth and the Dyfi Valley are classified as one of seven UNESCO Biosphere Reserves in the UK. The others are Brighton and Lewes Downs, Galloway and Southern Ayrshire, the Isle of Man, North Devon and Wester Ross including the Kyle of Lochalsh in Scotland.
Vale of Rheidol Railway
With the gradient steepening, the Vale of Rheidol Railway's diminutive locomotive belches clouds of white smoke into the thick canopy, magnifying beams of morning sunlight. Overhead a pair of red kites perform aerial acrobatics on the breeze, as carriage windows frame scenery the rival of any in the Swiss Alps. As steam train rides go, this has to be one of Britain's finest.
One of the "Great Little Trains of Wales", the Vale of Rheidol Railway travels 20 kilometres from Aberystwyth to Devil's Bridge, climbing nearly 200 metres to reach Devil's Bridge Station, nestled deep within the Plynlimon Mountains. The reward for making this idyllic journey: another legendary Welsh attraction - Devil's Bridge Falls.
Access - Getting to Aberystwyth
The elegant Aberystwyth Station is the terminus of the Cambrian Line from Shrewsbury in England.
There are buses to Carmarthen, Cardiff, Swansea, Porthmadog, Cardigan, Bangor and Caernarfon. There are also National Express coaches to Shrewsbury (2 hours), Birmingham (4 hours) and London (7 hours).
The A44 and A487 roads meet in the town. By car, Aberystwyth is about 2 hours, 40 minutes from Cardiff and about the same, though a little longer depending on the route from Birmingham.
Map
Accommodation
Some recommended places to stay include the four-star Richmond Hotel on the Promenade, the Castle Hotel, also four stars and located in an Edwardian building and the five-star boutique hotel the Gwesty Cymru with superb sea views and local slate interiors.
The Gwesty'r Marine Hotel & Spa is situated on the Aberystwyth Promenade, The Gwesty'r Marine Hotel & Spa offers stunning views of Cardigan Bay. It features comfortable rooms, a restaurant serving local cuisine, and a bar. The hotel is conveniently located near the town center and attractions such as the National Library of Wales and Aberystwyth Castle.
The Glengower Hotel located right on the seafront is a family-run establishment with a friendly atmosphere. It offers comfortable rooms, a restaurant serving traditional Welsh dishes, and a lively bar. The hotel is conveniently positioned near the Aberystwyth Cliff Railway and the Aberystwyth Pier.
The Four Seasons Hotel features a courtyard terrace, traditional restaurant, bright rooms and free Wi-Fi.
See a listing of hotels in and near Aberystwyth
Eat & Drink
Some recommended places to eat and drink in the town include Little Italy for delicious Italian food on North Parade, Saphan Thai for Thai food on Bridge Street and Medina for Middle Eastern cuisine on Market Street.
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