Ceredigion
Cambrian Mountains
Rhiannon Welsh Gold Centre at Tregaron
Gwinllan Ffynnon Las Vineyard at Aberaeron
New Quay
National Library of Wales in Aberystwyth
Aberystwyth
Nant Yr Arian Forestry Visitor Centre and cycle trails
Cardigan Bay
Ceredigion offers a world away from Wales, in Wales. Peaceful, calm, refreshing and tranquil and of course, amazingly picturesque. Take the B 4574 road through Cwm Ystwyth and you’ll be driving on what is commonly regarded as one of the top ten scenic routes in the world. The coastline is stunning and the wildlife diverse. Offshore you’ll find dolphin, porpoise and seals and on the cliffs, a vast array of birdlife nesting. And it’s the home of Welsh culture too. The language is still spoken extensively here and you’ll find the National Library of Wales, the country’s two oldest universities and the Ceredigion museum.
Cambrian Mountains
Between the better known Snowdonia and Brecon Beacon National Parks lie the Cambrian Mountains. A large wild, unpopulated area, but one of great beauty, sometimes referred to as ‘The Green Desert of Wales’. The hills and upland valleys provide the water for the start of many of Wales’ great rivers and if you’re an outdoors enthusiast, this is a fantastic area to explore.
Rhiannon Welsh Gold Centre at Tregaron
If you have an interest in traditional arts and crafts, this could be ideal for a visit. Tregaron is more usually known for its sheep and wool, but it is also home to the Welsh Gold Centre. It’s a shop where you can choose from a great selection of traditional Celtic designs made from Welsh gold, sometimes even as you watch.
Gwinllan Ffynnon Las Vineyard at Aberaeron
See something you didn’t expect from a break in Wales and take in a vineyard. On the Lampeter Road outside Aberaeron is the Gwinllan Ffynon Las Vineyard. Traditionally grown and made, the vineyard produces three different types of white wine and a variety of liqueurs available for tasting free of charge.
New Quay
Very much a maritime town, you’ll find a harbour filled with yachts, fishing boats and a rich history. It also claims to be the inspiration for the Llareggub in Dylan Thomas’ Under Milk Wood and with its cobblestone harbour, steep streets and Victorian houses, it’s easy to see why. If that doesn’t take your fancy, New Quay is great place to go dolphin watching.
National Library of Wales in Aberystwyth
If you have an interest in Welsh culture or history then the National Library is the place to visit. It’s in a distinctive Edwardian building and is a repository for all things Welsh. The Black Book of Carmarthen is here, the oldest complete Welsh manuscript, dating back to the 13th century and also the interesting A Nation’s Heritage exhibition, a history of the Welsh written word.
Aberystwyth
This town is the undisputed capital of the Ceredigion coast and a great seaside town to boot. Lively, with a great cultural and social life, there’s much to do during the day as well as the evening. Take in the Ceredigion Museum, climb Constitution Hill for the views, or stroll along the beaches and pier before heading off to the late closing pubs in the evening.
Nant Yr Arian Forestry Visitor Centre and cycle trails
Nant Yr Arian Forestry Centre is 12 miles away from Aberystwyth and great for mountain biking. There are well laid out and marked trails of varying lengths that take you through the forest, round lakes and over the hills. Everything you could want from a bike trail, in fact. But if you prefer more sedate activities, the forest is also home to many red kites.
Cardigan Bay
It’s not just the beautiful sandy beaches and breathtaking cliffs that you can see in Cardigan Bay. Every summer bottlenose dolphins make the bay their home and can often be spotted offshore. There’s also Cardigan’s rich history and cultural heritage to explore with plenty of museums, artists’ cottages and antique shops to discover.