Beaches and the coast

The River Aeron runs through West Wales Retreat on its way to meeting the sea in Cardigan Bay. In Welsh, Aber means ‘mouth’ or ‘estuary’, therefore, Aberaeron is the point where the River Aeron joins the sea (the mouth of the Aeron).

With a long history as a fishing village, today Aberaeron retains much of its Georgian character with brightly-painted town houses, plenty of arts and crafts shops and pubs and cafes. Aberaeron is still the focal point for many of the rural communities in mid-Ceredigion.

Our ‘capital’ and the administrative centre of Ceredigion. It is located 20 or so miles of West Wales Retreat near the confluence of the Rivers Ystwyth and the Afon Rheidol.

A University town, its amazing seafront is likely to be enjoyed by tourists, walkers, runners, rollerbladers and cyclists or just people relaxing and admiring the view (or tucking onto some of the local ice cream on the promenade).

You cannot come to Ceredigion and not see the wondrous Aber – there’s a castle as well!

Just north of Aberystwyth (and on the Wales Coast Path) is the village and seaside resort of Borth. With 2 miles of sandy beach, Borth is also part of the Dyfi Biosphere. A rugged landscape sees the arrival of ospreys in springtime and is an excellent base from which to travel to Barmouth, Aberdovey and Harlech to the north via the Cambrian line.

Borth Zoo or Wild Animal Kingdom boasts a wide range of reptiles, primates, birds and large and small mammals and has free parking (or just a short walk from the train station).

South west of New Quay (and also on the Wales Coast Path), Llangrannog is an excellent village and beach all of the year. At low tide, it is possible to walk from the Llangrannog main beach to the second (or use the cliff path at other times). The River Hawen falls as a waterfall near the middle of the village.

Llangrannog is relaxing, particularly so from the excellent public houses and cafes!

A secluded beach in a hidden cove on the Ceredigion coast, just north of Cardigan town centre. At the right time of the year, dolphins can be spotted at Mwnt, feeding in the bay below. Just a spectacular place to be.

Don’t forget to visit the Grade I listed Church of the Holy Cross.

West of Aberaeron and located on the Cardigan Bay on the Wales Coast Path, New Quay town is built on steep slopes with terraced houses, falling to large and safe sandy beaches, dissected by the harbour pier.

A traditional seaside resort, New Quay is at its busiest in the summer season with three beaches - Harbour Beach, Traeth Gwyn and Dolau. Parking is at a premium space-wise, though more parking is available towards the top of the town. Dolphins are often be seen in the waters around New Quay and there are plenty of tours available to the bay.

We recommend New Quay for so many reasons, not least the cafes, public houses and shopping.