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Choosing a holiday area within Ceredigion......
The geography of Ceredigion features a scenic coastline rising, in the north east surrounding Devil's Bridge and dominating the landscape east of Tregaron, to the Cambrian Mountains at heights of over 700 metres.Beyond Lampeter, the south eastern and southern border is defined by the river Teifi which flows south from the Cambrian Mountains, passing Tregaron and proceeding through Llandysul as it swings west to meet the sea at Cardigan.
As a rough guide, travel by car from Borth to Cardigan normally takes no more than some 90 minutes, whilst the most remote inland towns or villages are little more than 30 minutes travel by car to a beach or coastal path. Conversely, wonderful upland scenery, accessible forests and spectacular mountain walks and bike trails are within easy reach of all coastal settlements.
For convenience, Ceredigion's holiday areas are presented below under the title of the nearest town or village that may offer most facilities. Bear in mind, however, that different to the vast majority of people within the UK, the majority of Ceredigion's residents live in rural, rather than urban, surroundings. Ceredigion contains some 150 small towns and villages with even the largest town, Aberystwyth, housing a population smaller than 20,000.
COASTAL AREAS:
Aberaeron
The youngster amongst Ceredigion's towns, Aberaeron celebrated its bicentenary in 2007. An off-road cycle path links Aberaeron to the National Trust property at Llanerchaeron in the Aeron valley. Read more...
Aberporth
Boasting a fine sandy beach, Aberporth offers a surprisingly broad selection of accommodation. Aberporth is linked to Tresaith by a scenic coastal path. Read more...
Aberystwyth
The largest town on the west coast of Wales - although harbouring a population of less than 20,000 - Aberystwyth is home to the National Library of Wales, the University of Wales Aberystwyth and several national institutions and establishments. Read more...
Borth
Miles of sand now cover the site of a drowned forest. There are two National Nature Reserves: at the Dyfi Estuary and covering Cors Goch Fochno a large inland peat bog. Read more...
Llangrannog
Open any travel guide to Wales and you will most probably encounter a photograph of scenic Llangrannog. Read more...
New Quay
New Quay is undisputedly where Dylan Thomas lived and wrote "Quite Early One Morning", the precursor of "Under Milkwood". A firm favourite for dolphin-spotters, there are several operators offering wildlife boat trips and a centre offering watersports training. Read more...
Tresaith
The stereotypical Welsh coastal village, with houses perched on a crescent climbing out of the golden sand. Read more...
INLAND AREAS:
Cardigan
The main town for southern Ceredigion and much of rural northern Pembrokeshire, Cardigan - actually but a stone's throw from the sea - offers excellent year-round arts and entertainment facilities at the Theatr Mwldan complex. Read more...
Devil's Bridge
Perched in the Cambrian Mountain uplands, Devil's Bridge is linked to Aberystwyth by the seasonal Vale of Rheidol Narrow Gauge Railway and to Borth by a linear path that proceeds to Cwmystwyth and Pontrhydfendigaid. Read more...
Lampeter
Nowadays a small, friendly market town, Lampeter houses Saint David's University College which, other than Oxford and Cambridge, is the oldest degree-awarding institution in England and Wales. Read more...
Llandysul
A fishermen's paradise, boasting one of the best Angling Associations in the United Kingdom. Read more...
Tregaron
George Borrow likened Tregaron to an Andalusian village sheltered by its sierra. Opportunities for cycling, walking and fishing are on offer. Read more...