Guide to Aberystwyth

Aberystwyth is the principal holiday resort and administrative centre of the West Coast of Wales. It is also home to the University of Wales Aberystwyth and the National Library. The town is nestled between three hills and two beaches, and hosts some castle ruins, a pier and a harbour. The surrounding hills hold the visible remains of an Iron Age fort and also a monument to Wellington and once climbed offer stunning views of Cardigan Bay.

Aberystwyth is a University town with some seven thousand students, ensuring it’s vibrant throughout the year and not just during summertime. Incidentally, there are now ‘only’ fifty pubs left in Aberystwyth!

The seafront hosts Victorian / Edwardian buildings mostly 4/5 stories high. The wide promenade protect the buildings from the revenges of the Irish Sea and offers space to sit, soak up the sun and view the surrounding hills and mountains which in winter are often covered in snow. On a clear day you may see the tallest mountain in Wales, Snowdon.

The harbour was once one of the busiest in Wales and is fed by the rivers Ystwyth and Rheidol (which incidentally, is the steepest river in Britain). Geographically, Aberystwyth may be considered isolated from the rest of Wales. However, this isolation made it necessary for the local people to look after themselves and over the years it has acquired more resources than a town of this size would normally have. It is now the centre of local rural life and is visited by many to sample the numerous cafés, bars, and restaurants including, Chinese, Indian, Italian and Mediterranean cuisine. The local weather is dominated by the sea and the Gulf Stream, which warms the whole region and makes for pleasurable visiting.

Aberystwyth is the culture capital of Wales. Home to The National Library, University and the recently redeveloped Arts Centre with its concert hall, cinema, large exhibition space, plus a great café and design shop.

Wherever you are in Aberystwyth look up and you cannot miss Constitution Hill with the longest cliff railway in the world. And housed at its peak the Worlds largest Camera Obscura.

History of Aberystwyth

The history of modern Aberystwyth started in 1277 with the granting of a Royal Charter and the building of the castle on the current site. Aberystwyth castle was partly destroyed on the orders of Cromwell after the New Model army defeated The Royalists in 1654.

Long before the Normans began their extensive castle-building program, which ultimately resulted in the subjugation of Wales (at least in theory), the promontory site now occupied by modern Aberystwyth was recognized for its defensive qualities. Iron Age settlers fortified the hilltop called Pen Dinas with a huge fortification, one of the largest Iron Age hillforts in the region. Today that hillfort dominates the skyline as you approach Aberystwyth from the south. Not only does it create an air of mystery, it also reminds us of the skills of its ancient builders. It remains a remarkable testimony to the Iron Age people that they could construct such a formidable hilltop fortification with their primitive technology. That it has survived over two thousand years makes their accomplishment all the more impressive.

Nightlife and Eating out in and around Aberystwyth

As well as being a historic town Aberystwyth is also known as a lively University hotspot. The students affectionately naming the small town Aber. In Aber there are over fifty pubs not to mention the numerous restaurants and takeaways.

Some of the bars you may like to frequent during your time in Aberystwyth include Bar Essential, Bay Hotel, Flannery’s, Pier Pressure, and Rummers Wine Bar. Pier Pressure being a twenty-four hour bar, if you didn’t guess on the pier!

Let us share the local knowledge and enjoy good food and drink in a special setting. There are some great places to eat and drink around Aberystwyth. If eating out isn’t your thing then why not visit the Commodore Cinema for all the latest movies on the big screen?