Aberystwyth

Aberystwyth Europe > Britain and Ireland > United Kingdom > Wales > Mid Wales > Ceredigion > Aberystwyth Aberystwyth (informally: Aber , not to be confused with many other coastal towns in Wales) is in the county of Ceredigion , in Wales . Aberystwyth, called the true capital of Wales by some, is a smallish town on the Ceredigion coast, just below the Dyfi estuary . Aberystwyth has a fairly unique student atmosphere – during term-time the vast majority of young adults are undergraduates and the remoteness of the location creates a more vibrant social life than experienced on most campuses. Understand Politically, it's in the heart of Nationalist Wales, and is the birthplace of Cymdeithas Yr Iaith Gymraeg, the Welsh Language movement. It is home to one of the oldest parts of the University of Wales , which is attended by some 9,000 students. It is also home to the National Library of Wales , one of the UK's few copyright libraries, meaning it has the right to claim a copy of every book published in Britain, which also means that it has one of the highest figures for books per head of population in the world. Its other notable – and notorious – feature is the remarkable number of pubs in the town. Generations of first-year students have been brought up on the promise of a pub for every week of the year. This is true in that there are over 61 locations with public bars in the small Welsh town. Visitor information A good place to start is the Tourist Information Centre at the seafront end of Terrace Road. Visit Wales web page for Aberystwyth Get in By train 🌍 Aberystwyth station (or 'Aber') is at the end of the line, in many senses of the phrase. Direct trains run from Birmingham International station (Birmingham Airport and the NEC). 2 hours from Shrewsbury , 3 from Birmingham . A branch line from Machynlleth provides connections to the coastal towns of West Gwynedd . Services are provided by Transport for Wales . By car There are two main routes to Aber by road: the A44 comes from the east, and the A487 goes north to south through the town. The best way to get there from any particular point is a subject of much debate. Buy a map and have fun. Minimum 3 hours from Birmingham , 2 hr 40 min from Cardiff , 2 hr 5 min from Swansea - highly dependent on the number of tractors on the roads. There is also a Park and Ride facility . By bus TrawsCymru's T1 service provides a regular link with Carmarthen and Aberystwyth. The X32 is the northern equivalent, providing a link to such exciting places as Machynlleth , Dolgellau and Bangor at least twice a day. Traveline : 0871 200 2233. Calls incur a 12 pence per minute service charge, plus your phone provider's per-minute access charge. One daily National Express 409 service to/from Birmingham and London Victoria . By plane Swansea ( SWS IATA ) is the nearest airport, light aircraft only. Birmingham ( BHX IATA ) is most useful for Aberystwyth. It's about 3 hr 30 min away by direct train. Get around Aber is a very compact town; walking is by far the easiest way to get around. If you require motorised transport, taxis are plentiful and relatively cheap. Buses also run up Penglais Hill (where the main university campus is) and to Llanbadarn Fawr (the other campus, and the Morrisons supermarket - largest of its ilk locally). Parking is a problem in the centre of Aber, but a Park and Ride operates from Park Avenue, with a free bus service every 15 minutes M-Sa. See The best thing to see in the town is probably the sunset. The view over Cardigan Bay on a summer's evening can be quite stunning. The best places to see the sunset are the long seafront Promenade (see also: Drink), any of the beaches that takes your fancy, the University Plaza and the Arts Centre cafe above. 🌍 Aberystwyth Arts Centre , ☏ +44 1970 623232 . The largest and busiest arts centre in Wales, boasting a theatre (312 seats), concert hall (900 seats), cinema (125 seats), studio (80 seats) and three gallery spaces. Has a programme of theatre and dance, live music, comedy, exhibitions and cinema. It also runs visual arts and performing arts courses for children and adults of all ages, as well as a dance school with over 500 students enrolled. Has a craftshop, a bookshop two cafes and a theatre bar. 🌍 Ruins of the Castle . Overlooking the bay, is pleasant enough to wander through during the day - there are also picnic tables scattered around the war memorial that shares the space. Don't go venturing there at night, though as the castle is used by less savoury persons after dark. 🌍 Constitution Hill . It is another fine vantage point for sunsets. It is accessible by funicular railway in season, and a brisk 15-minute walk up to the summit all year round. The views are tremendous, and there is a small museum and Camera Obscura, as well as the obligatory tea shop, at the top. 🌍 The National Library of Wales ( from town, take the Penglais Road [the A487 toward Machynlleth] up Penglais Hill; turn right where signposted (after Bronglais Hospital ) ( at the end of a 400-metre drive overlooking the town ), ☏ +44 1970 632800 , fax : +44 1970 615709 . Reading rooms and Entrance Hall Exhibition Area open M-F 9:30AM-6PM, Sa 9:30AM-5PM; Gregynog Exhibition Gallery, Peniarth Gallery, The World of the Book open M-Sa 10AM-5PM . The National Library of Wales is one of the six legal deposit libraries in the British Isles and has a collection of more than four million printed volumes. In addition, it has collections concentrating in Welsh and other Celtic cultures. The Entrance Hall Exhibition Area and Gregynog Gallery feature regular exhibits, primarily of work by Welsh artists. The Peniarth Gallery and World of the Book feature changing exhibits of items from the library's collections. Free . 🌍 Ceredigion Museum , Coliseum, Terrace Road . ( updated Jun 2017 ) Do The main pastime in Aber, at least for its student population, is drinking (i.e. 'the lash'). There are many fine public houses in the town, and many grotty ones, too. See 'Drink' for more details. If walking's your thing, then the countryside around Aber is beautiful. A popular walk is to Borth, about 5 miles up a hilly coastal path, which blessed with wonderful beaches. At the northern tip of Borth is Ynyslas, home to a nature reserve of sand dunes and a submerged forest. A short trip out of town by car or bus is Cadair Idris a popular hiking spot with spectacular view (if the weather is good). Watersports are another popular activity, but it's probably advisable to take part in organised outings as far as these go. The Irish Sea is famous for its undertow, and most years at least one foolhardy person gets sucked out to sea - usually after a drinking session. There are also boat trips out into Cardigan Bay, where dolphins can be seen in the waters, and seals on the islands. These are seasonal, so check at the tourist information centre for latest times and prices. Sea Fishing excursions can also be arranged in the harbour, a great day out with all equipment included in the charter. Football: Aberystwyth Town ("The Seasiders") play soccer in the Welsh amateur leagues. They play at Park Avenue (capacity 5000) next to the mainline railway station. 🌍 Aberystwyth Cliff Railway ( Rheilffordd Y Graig Aberystwyth ), Cliff Terrace , ☏ +44 1970 617642 , [email protected] . 🌍 Vale of Rheidol Railway ( Rheilffordd Dyffryn Rheidol ), Park Avenue, SY21 1PG , ☏ +44 1970 625819 , fax : +44 1970 623769 , [email protected] . This was the last steam line owned by British Rail until privatisation in 1989. It's now run by a charitable trust. The line climbs up the beautiful Rheidol Valley to Devils Bridge ( Pontarfynach ), taking about an hour in each direction. Devils Bridge is a major tourist attraction, the site of 3 bridges, each above the other, crossing the deep ravine of the Mynach river where it drops 300 feet (90 m) to flow into the river Rheidol. Legend has it that the original bridge was built by the Devil as it was too difficult for mortal people to build. The Devil built the bridge in return for the soul of the first life to cross the bridge, but the Devil was tricked by an old woman who threw bread onto the bridge and her dog followed, thus becoming the first life to cross the new bridge. The railway is the best way to visit Devils Bridge as the roads are narrow and winding and parking at Devils Bridge can be a nightmare in peak season. If you're planning on spending a bit of time looking around in Devils Bridge (as well as the bridges and waterfalls there are a couple of pubs and some gift shops, and several waymarked walking trails) be sure to check the times of later trains with the guard when you get off. Aberystwyth, and the region east to the Cambrian Mountains, provides and excellent base for cycling. The range of terrain ensures that there is something for any level of ability or appetite. The Ystwyth Trail follows a disused railway track and is easy going. The Rheidol Cycleway takes you along country lanes from Aberystwyth to Devil's Bridge, with an optional strenuous climb at the end for those who like a challenge. For adrenaline junkies, there is mountain biking in Nant yr Arian Forest. Buy Farmers Market is nowadays held in the former bus depot on Park Ave. first and third Saturday of the month. Eat 🌍 Slater's bakery , 9 North parade Street , ☏ +44 1970 612658 . Long established bakery. The great tasking pasties, pies and rolls make a perfect take-away snack. ( updated Oct 2016 ) 🌍 Little Italy , 51 North Parade , ☏ +44 1970 625707 . An excellent if rather oppressively cosy Italian restaurant. The steak is particularly fine. 🌍 Ultracomida Delicatessen , 31 Pier Street , ☏ +44 1970 630686 . Regularly changing menu that includes panini to dine in (two large tables and a bar with stools in the back room) or take away for lunch. Also a delicatessen featuring local and imported foods. 🌍 Piazza Cafe , Aberystwyth Arts Centre . M-Sa . Fantastic range of home-made meals and cakes. With a fantastic seated terrace that overlooks Cardigan bay. 🌍 The Pier Brasserie , The Royal Pier, Marine Terrace , ☏ +44 1970 636123 . A mid-priced restaurant at the end of the Royal Pier. Serves decent food and has good views of the ocean and the Aber seafront. Has a deal where you can get two good-sized pizzas and a bottle of wine for £20. Drink 🌍 Rummers , Bridge Street , ☏ +44 1970 625177 . Rowdy traditional pub with nice walls and slate floors. It opens late at the weekends. Live music of varying quality on Friday and Saturday. Tuesday is cheap vodka night, this is the most important event of the Aber week. Good place to finish a night out if you don't fancy dancing to cheesy music on a sticky dance floor 🌍 Glengower Hotel , 3 Victoria Terrace, The Promenade, SY23 2DH , ☏ +44 1970 626191 , [email protected] . A nice bar on the sea front. Quiet in the evenings but gets busy on nice days. The beer garden offers stunning views of the sunset and perhaps a couple of dolphins too but, beware, the sea is a cruel mistress. It is rumoured that the late Liz Taylor's grandaughter worked behind the bar. 🌍 The Angel , 57-59 Great Darkgate Street , ☏ +44 1970 617878 . This dank and grimy dive is ideal if you're looking to indulge your dark side. With warm pints and the worst toilets you've ever dreamed of, it's not one to take your granny to. The rock and fetish nights held in the back room are popular. Probably the cheapest pub in the town. 🌍 Y Cwps ( The Coopers Arms ), Northgate Street , ☏ +44 1970 624050 . The Cwps - as it's generally known - has a long relationship with Welsh language campaigns and music. 🌍 [... truncated ...]

By Plane

The nearest major international airports serve Wales [Cymru GB-CYM] with connections from across the UK, Europe, and beyond. Regional airports in the area provide additional domestic and European services. Airport buses and taxis connect to the town centre.

By Train

The local railway station is served by regular services on the British rail network. Train services connect to major cities across Wales [Cymru GB-CYM] and the wider UK. National Rail Enquiries provides schedule and fare information. Advance booking typically offers better rates.

By Car / Road

Aberystwyth is accessible by road via the UK's motorway and A-road network. Major routes connect the town to nearby cities and regions. Bus services provide affordable connections. Parking is generally available in designated areas in and around the town centre.

Aberystwyth is compact and easily explored on foot. The town centre, with its shops, restaurants, and historical buildings, is pedestrian-friendly. For exploring the surrounding countryside and nearby attractions, a car is recommended. Local bus services operate within the town and to neighbouring communities. Taxis are available for shorter journeys.

• The historic town or city centre with its traditional architecture

• Local landmarks, churches, and heritage buildings

• Scenic viewpoints and natural attractions in the surrounding area

• Nearby parks, gardens, and outdoor spaces

• Walking tours exploring the town's heritage and architecture

• Outdoor activities such as hiking, cycling, and watersports in the surrounding area

• Visiting local museums, galleries, and cultural centres

• Exploring nearby countryside, coastline, or parks

• Sampling local food and drink at pubs, restaurants, and cafes

Dining options in Aberystwyth range from traditional gastropubs and cafés to fine-dining restaurants. Local specialities include fresh seafood, locally sourced meat and game, and seasonal produce. Many establishments pride themselves on using local ingredients and supporting regional producers.

Typical British pub fare (fish and chips, Sunday roasts, pies) is widely available, alongside international cuisines reflecting the area's diversity. Vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options are increasingly common.

Traditional pubs serving local ales are found throughout the town. Craft beer has a growing presence, with local microbreweries supplying both pubs and bottle shops. Tea rooms and cafés offer a quintessentially British experience. The area is well-served by coffee shops and independent roasters.

Budget

• Budget hotels and hostel accommodation available, with dorm beds from £20/night.

Mid-range

• Bed & breakfasts and guesthouses offer doubles from £70–120 per night.
• Chain hotels (Premier Inn, Travelodge, Holiday Inn) provide consistent quality.

Upscale

• Boutique hotels, country house hotels, and historic inns offer doubles from £150.

Local shops offer a range of goods from well-known brands to local crafts and speciality foods. Markets and independent retailers provide character and authentic finds. Typical opening hours are Monday–Saturday 09:00–17:30, with some stores open on Sundays. Many towns have a weekly market day.

From Aberystwyth, travellers can easily continue exploring other destinations within Wales [Cymru GB-CYM] and the wider United Kingdom. The well-connected transport network makes it straightforward to reach neighbouring towns, cities, and attractions.