walking leaflet-final 5 - penlan coastal cottages · from clarach the path climbs through woodland...

CE

RE

DIG

ION

CA

NO

LB

AR

TH

CY

MR

U •

MID

WA

LE

S

WALKING THE CEREDIGION COAST

www.WalkCardiganBay.com

TOURIST INFORMATION & ASSISTANCECYMORTH A GWYBODAETH I YMWELWYR

Aberystwyth

Aberaeron

Borth

Cardigan/Aberteifi

New Quay/Cei Newydd

(01970) 612125

(01545) 570602

(01970) 871174

(01239) 613230

(01545) 560865

INTERNET ACCESS

All Ceredigion Tourist Information Centrescan receive and react to your enquiries byInternet electronic mail.The addresses to

use are as shown below.

GENERAL ENQUIRIES /YMHOLIADAU CYFFREDINOL

Aberystwyth:

Aberaeron:

Borth:

New Quay/Cei Newydd:

Cardigan & The Teifi Valley:Aberteifi a Dyffryn Teifi:

YMHOLIADAU INTERNET

Bellach mae modd cysylltu â phob un oGanolfannau Croeso Ceredigion trwy gyfrwngyr Internet. Rhestrir isod y cyfeiriadau postelectronig dylid eu defnyddio.

[email protected]

[email protected]

[email protected]

[email protected]

[email protected]

[email protected]

CYNGOR SIR

CEREDIGIONCOUNTY COUNCIL

C E R E D I G I O NCANOLBARTH CYMRU • MID WALES

T H E C E R E D I G I O N C O A S T W A L K I N G W A L K I N G T H E C E R E D I G I O N C O A S T

3

Croeso - a warm Welsh welcome - awaits you in Ceredigion.Originally an independent principality established as long ago as415 AD, the area is named after Prince Ceredig (pronounced‘care-eh-dig’). Located on the western coastline of Wales, on theshores of the bay that carries its name, Ceredigion is shelteredfrom the east by the Plynlimon mountain range. Spectacularlandscapes and welcoming people await your visit to Ceredigion,one of the last bastions of the Welsh language and culture.

In Ceredigion you will experience a refreshing atmosphere andleisurely, but purposeful, lifestyle that is a far cry from the often-hectic stresses of everyday urban living.Winding down is easy - if that is what you want - but there are opportunities galore tojoin in the ‘hwyl’ (fun) of walking spectacular paths, sailing orsurfing, challenging angling or sea fishing, marvellous bird -watching, pony trekking or golf and world class mountain bikingand scenic cycle routes.

Significant stretches of coastal paths along the CeredigionHeritage Coast, offering spectacular views of the Cardigan BaySpecial Area of Conservation, have been open for a number ofyears.A programme is currently under way to extend theCeredigion Coast Path all along the coastline from Cardigan inthe south - near the northern terminus of the PembrokeshireCoast Path - to the northern extreme of Ceredigion at Ynyslas,on the Dyfi Estuary.

This booklet offers an overview of the areas through which youmay follow existing stretches of the Ceredigion Coastal Path, withdetails of publications containing path descriptions as well asindicating other interesting walks which may be followed inparticular localities.

Ceredigion

Llangrannog New Quay

Whilst Ceredigion County Council’s Corporate andLegal Services Department has made every effort toensure accuracy in this publication, the Council cannotaccept responsibility for any errors, inaccuracies oromissions or for any matter in any way connected withor arising out of the publication of the informationcontained within this brochure. Changes in facilities andservices do often occur after the date of printingwhich makes it advisable to confirm the informationgiven through contact with the individual advertisers.All the details contained within advertisements andlistings are supplied by the advertisers themselves.PUBLISHED by the Corporate and Legal ServicesDepartment, Ceredigion County Council, LisburneHouse,Terrace Road,Aberystwyth,Wales SY23 2AG.Tel: 01970 633063 Fax: 01970 626566 © Ceredigion County Council 2004. All rightsreserved. No part of this publication may bereproduced in any form or by any means, includingphotocopying and recording, nor may the informationcontained herein be stored electronically or otherwisewithout the prior written permission of the copyrightholder, applications for which should be addressed tothe publisher at the above address.DESIGN: www.fbagroup.co.ukThe Ordnance Survey 1:50,000 map data includedwithin this publication is provided by CeredigionCounty Council under licence from the OrdnanceSurvey in order to illustrate the route of the proposedCeredigion Coast Path. No other use may be made ofthese maps. Persons viewing this mapping shouldcontact Ordnance Survey Copyright for advice wherethey wish to licence Ordnance Survey map data fortheir own use.

Acknowledgement is given to thefinancial assistance towards thispublication given by the TourismPartnership Mid Wales.

Please check the guide to walkablesect ions on www.WalkCardiganBay.com


4 5

KEY:

Indicates circularwalks around thenamed location.

Indicates walksspanning more than one location.

Cardigan - Centre for Walkers

rrp £7.99

A bilingual (English / Welsh)guide to a selection of 11walks within easy reach ofCardigan town offering awide range of terrain andscenery for the keen walker.

Menter Aberteifi

Ceredigion Walks

Terry Marsh rrp £10.95

Jarrold Pathfinder Guidenumber 38 containing OSmapping details and full walkdescriptions for 28 walksalong Ceredigion’sspectacular coastline and inthe Cambrian Mountains.

ISBN 0-7117-2418-0Jarrold

Ceredigion Walks

Richard Sale rrp £4.50

15 walks - highlightingCeredigion’s outstandinghistory and beauty - vary from1-10 miles. Full directions,sketch maps and informationon grading, parking,refreshments and toilets aregiven for each walk.

ISBN 0-86381-602-9Gwasg Carreg Gwalch

The Dylan Thomas Trail

David Thomas rrp £6.95

The Dylan Thomas Trailtakes you through beautifulcountryside passing villages,farms and mansions whereDylan lived and wrote – andalso introduces you to manyof the pubs and inns whereDylan derived inspiration!

ISBN 0-86243-609-5Y Lolfa

15 Local Walks on theCardigan Bay Coast

Liz Allan rrp £3.95

Fifteen circular walks,ranging from 1-6 miles inlength, all starting andfinishing on the Ceredigioncoast and including inlandroutes such as the CilgerranGorge.

ISBN 1 902302:Kittiwake

Walking the CardiganBay Coast

Liz Allan rrp £3.95

Details of routes on the 60mile coastal path betweenCardigan and Ynyslas, dividedinto shorter day walks.Beautifully illustrated byLynne Denman.

ISBN 1 902302 09 5Kittiwake

Local walks aroundAberaeron & New Quay

Laurence Main rrp £2.70

Nine circular and self-guidedwalks averaging 31/2 miles.

ISBN 0953352307 GMT Publications

YnyslasBorthClarachAberystwythLlanrhystudLlanonAberarthAberaeronHenfynywNew QuayCwmtyduYnys LochtynLlangrannogPenbrynTresaithAberporthMwntCardigan

Visit www.WalkCardiganBay.com for downloadable PDF files and a full Mail Order List Visit www.WalkCardiganBay.com for downloadable PDF files and a full Mail Order List

●

●●

● ●

●

●

●

●

●

●

●

●

●

●

●

●

●

●

●

●

●

●

●

FREE

dow

nloa

dabl

e PD

F fil

e av

aila

ble

from

ww

w.W

alkC

ardi

ganB

ay.c

om

Out of Print Out of Print

T H E C E R E D I G I O N C O A S T W A L K I N G

7

W A L K I N G T H E C E R E D I G I O N C O A S T

6

After the retreat of the great icesheets the wide Dyfi estuarybecame colonised by reedswamp that, over the following4000 years, gradually changed toa forest with pine, birch, alderand even oaks. By this time a

shingle spit, composed of debris left behind by the glaciers, hadbegun to develop from Borth cliffs.This spit was pushed inlandas sea levels rose and encroached upon the woodland, theremains of which may be seen on the beach during particularlylow tides as a submerged forest.

Welsh legend tells of a low-lying part of Wales called Cantre’rGwaelod lost to flooding when the guard left on the sea-defencewatchtower became drunk one night and fell into a drunkenstupor. Remains of the sunken forest annually re-appearing onBorth’s beach at low tides does wonders to sustain the legend!

To access the Ceredigion Coast Path southbound from Borthtowards Clarach and onward to Aberystwyth, head for the WarMemorial visible on the cliff top south of Borth beach.

Ynyslas means ‘green isle’ and, atone time,Ynyslas probably wasan island. Deposition of sand andshingle has, however, linked it tothe mainland by way of a longsandy spit of land.Ynyslas formspart of the Dyfi National Nature

Reserve managed by the Countryside Council for Wales.The reserve covers the whole of the Dyfi Estuary, Borth Bog(Cors Fochno) and the Ynyslas Dunes and carries a number ofdesignations: Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI); NationalNature Reserve (NNR); Biosphere Reserve and RAMSARsite.The reserve is important for conservation reasons for theflora and fauna found here include internationally importantwinter flocks of wildfowl such as the Greenland White FrontedGoose.The Ynyslas Visitor Centre opens seasonally from Easter.You may walk to Ynyslas and back along the promenade andbeach from Borth.

At nearby Ynys-hir (Long isle), there is an RSPB reserve, offeringwalks and hides overlooking the estuary and salt marsh.

An inland path - the ‘Mal Evans Way’ - climbs inland from Borthtowards Devil’s Bridge.

Borth - Aber ystwythYnyslas - Borth

OS Map: Explorer 213

Public Transport:Nearest Railway Station: BorthLocal Bus Service: 512

Transport enquiries:Traveline Wales 0870 608 2608

Tourist Information:Borth (Easter-Sept) 01970 871174

[email protected] (all year) 01970 612125

[email protected]

Useful websites:www.WalkCardiganBay.com

www.ccw.gov.ukwww.rspb.org

www.CardiganBaySAC.org.ukwww.traveline.org.uk

www.traveline-cymru.org.uk


Public Transport:Nearest Railway Station: BorthLocal Bus Service: 512


Tourist Information:Borth (Easter-Sept) 01970 871174


[email protected]


www.ccw.gov.ukwww.rspb.org



Ynyslas Borth

© C

row

n co

pyri

ght.

All

righ

ts r

eser

ved.

Cer

edig

ion

Cou

nty

Cou

ncil,

1000

1328

8,20

04. ©

Crow

n copyright.All rights reserved.C

eredigion County C

ouncil,100013288,2004.


8 9

The route of the CeredigionCoast Path from Borth towardsAberystwyth is generallyextremely well defined. Look outfor old limekilns at Wallog, onyour way. Southbound from Wallogyou will encounter some

spectacular rock formations before arriving at the seaside holidaycentre of Clarach - the name derives from an Irish Gaelic wordmeaning planed, made smooth or even, and is testament to themixed history of Celtic settlement on this coast.

From Clarach the path climbs through woodland before arriving atthe top of Constitution Hill (Craig Glais), offering spectacular viewsof Aberystwyth below.There is a seasonal Camera Obscura and asmall café at the summit with a cliff railway to Aberystwyth.

Aberystwyth is the largest town on the west coast of Wales and isthe location of the National Library of Wales housing some of thegreatest literary treasures of Wales and other Celtic nations,together with galleries and exhibitions open to the public.

Aberystwyth also houses the first-established college of the federalUniversity of Wales.The old college buildings are on the seafrontnear to the ruins of Aberystwyth’s castle.

A new campus adjacent to theNational Library boasts the largestArts Centre in Wales with severalauditoria, galleries and a world-class ceramics collection.

A seasonal narrow gauge steamrailway links Aberystwyth to Devil’s Bridge

offering access to spectacular walks in theRheidol Valley and the Cambrian mountains.A Rheidol Cycleway route runs fromAberystwyth.

In and around Aberystwyth there areseveral interesting circular walks that can

be followed including one that visits thePenglais Nature Park - Ceredigion’s first local

nature reserve covering a 27-acre site of mixed broad-leavedwoodland.A panorama viewpoint offers spectacular views ofCardigan Bay and the surrounding countryside. Self-guided naturetrail walk leaflets are available from the Aberystwyth TouristInformation Centre.The Information Centre also offers access tothe Ceredigion Museum - housed in a restored music-hall.

The coastal path southbound from Aberystwyth leads acrossTanybwlch beach.

Aber ystwyth Aber ystwyth


Public Transport:Nearest Railway Station: AberystwythLocal Bus Service: various


Tourist Information:Aberystwyth (all year) 01970 612125

[email protected]


www.CardiganBaySAC.org.ukwww.nlw.org.uk

www.aber.ac.uk/artscentrewww.commodorecinema.co.uk

www.WalesCycleBreaks.comwww.rheidolrailway.co.uk

www.CardiganBayYachtCharter.co.ukwww.traveline.org.uk


Other useful contacts:Aberystwyth Arts Centre: 01970 623232

01970 622882National Library of Wales: 01970 632800Vale of Rheidol Railway: 01970 625819

Aberystwyth Aberystwyth

© C

row

n co

pyri

ght.

All

righ

ts r

eser

ved.

Cer

edig

ion

Cou

nty

Cou

ncil,

1000

1328

8,20

04. ©

Crow


eredigion County C

ouncil,100013288,2004.


10 11

Nestling at the base of the coastalplateau, Llanrhystud extends alongthe banks of the Afon Wyre about amile from where the river reachesthe sea. Situated on the edge of thefertile coastal plain, the village haslong been a focal point of

agricultural activity in the area.The extensive beach is composed ofboulders and pebbles but during low water wide strips of flat sandbecome exposed.The now tranquil beach once resounded to theclatter of shipbuilding and, throughout the 19th century, four kilns atCraiglas were once the scene of a thriving lime industry.

The historical importance of Llanrhystud is emphasised by the numberof ancient settlements in the vicinity.To the south of the village, twodistinctly rounded hills; Castell Bach and the now wooded CastellMawr were formerly both hill forts.They are separated by a gullytraditionally known as the ‘dell of slaughter’, referring to an ancientbattle, with the field below serving as a burial ground.

By the 10th century Llanrhystud had become a religious settlementimportant enough to warrant the attention of marauding Danes whodestroyed the village in 988 AD.

The present parish church, dedicated to St Rhystud, a 6th centuryCeltic missionary, dates from 1854 but is of more ancient foundation.

Following the beach southboundfrom Llanrhystud takes you to thevicinity of the twin-village ofLlansantffraid-Llanon.The Llansantffraid section lies on the low coastal apron whereasLlanon’s terraced, stone-built

houses extend along the old turnpike road.

The mixed Welsh / Irish influence is again witnessed in this area. It ismost unusual to have two churches in the same parish, both dedicatedto female saints. Here we have one dedicated to a female Welsh saint,the second dedicated to an Irish saint.Tradition has it that St Nongave birth to the patron saint of Wales, St David, at Llanon around 500AD: this is commemorated by the Non Stone, now in the CeredigionMuseum at Aberystwyth. St Ffraid (St Bridget), the patron saint ofdairymaids was the daughter of an Irish chief; she founded the famousmonastery at Kildare, where she died in 523 AD.

South of Llanon you will encounter ancient strips of land called‘slangs’.The patchwork quilt effect produced by the division of the‘slangs’ by furrows, stones and hedges is most striking.

The southbound path climbs along the cliff top before descendingtowards historic Llanddewi Aberarth from where you can walk alongthe foreshore to Aberaeron or use the dedicated roadside path.

Aber ystwyth - Llanrhystud Llanrhystud - Aberaeron

OS Map: Explorer 213 & 199

Public Transport:Nearest Railway Station: AberystwythLocal Bus Service: 540 & 550


Tourist Information:Aberystwyth (all year) 01970 612125

[email protected]







Tourist Information:Aberaeron (all year) 01545 570602

[email protected]

Tanybwlch Llansantffraid-Llanon

© C

row

n co

pyri

ght.

All

righ

ts r

eser

ved.

Cer

edig

ion

Cou

nty

Cou

ncil,

1000

1328

8,20

04. ©

Crow


eredigion County C

ouncil,100013288,2004.

T H E C E R E D I G I O N C O A S T W A L K I N G

13

W A L K I N G T H E C E R E D I G I O N C O A S T

12

Aberaeron and New Quay alsooffer the best facilities for accessingboat trips out into the Cardigan BayMarine Conservation area with itsresident population of dolphins,porpoise and seals.

The Aberaeron Tourist Information Centre, located on the northernQuay of Aberaeron’s picturesque stonewalled harbour is open all yearand can offer help and advice on other walks within the area.

To follow the Ceredigion Coast Path southwards towards New Quay,take the footpath leading from Aberaeron’s south beach, across theharbour from the Tourist Information Centre.As you approach thesouth beach, watch out for the little building that housed an oldweigh-house - its roof boasts an unusual diamond shaped slatepattern.The building is a reminder of a once prosperous lime trade.Farmers spread lime on the land to help counteract the acidic soils ofthe area and aid drainage. Lime was also used by builders for mortarand whitewash. People also mixed the lime with clay and coal dust toform round balls known as ‘paid’, a slow burning fuel for the cottagefire.The raw materials for this industry were brought to the kilnsfrom South Wales by coastal trading vessels.

One of the most scenic seasidesettlements within Wales,Aberaeron is a rare example ofurban planning in the early 19thcentury.The town was built in ageometric grid pattern with roadsof standard width and pebble

pavements, some examples of which can still be seen.The housesthemselves conform to a uniform style dating from Georgian to earlyVictorian with characteristically emphatic quoins or cornerstones,simple well-proportioned windows and mildly decorative lintels.The repeated keystone patterns seen above many doors and windowsare the trademarks of individual builders.The placing of larger cornerand centre houses in most streets and the use of open spaces such asAlban Square, named after the town’s patron, break the regularity ofthe terraces.

A traffic-free cycleway - also accessible to walkers and wheelchairusers - links Aberaeron to the National Trust’s historic property atLlanerchaeron.

Jointly with its southerly neighbour, New Quay,Aberaeron is a WalesCycle Break Centre offering a number of interesting cycle routes thatmay be followed.

AberaeronAberaeron

Useful websites:www.CardiganBaySAC.org.uk

www.nationaltrust.org.ukwww.WalesCycleBreaks.com

www.AberaeronSeaAquarium.co.ukwww.CoastalVoyages.co.uk

www.traveline.org.ukwww.traveline-cymru.org.uk

Other useful contacts:Aberaeron Sea Aquarium and Coastal Voyages: 01545 570142




Tourist Information:Aberaeron (all year) 01545 570602

[email protected]

Aberaeron Llanerchaeron

© C

row

n co

pyri

ght.

All

righ

ts r

eser

ved.

Cer

edig

ion

Cou

nty

Cou

ncil,

1000

1328

8,20

04. ©

Crow


eredigion County C

ouncil,100013288,2004.


14 15

Descending towards New Quay, youfirst encounter the old shipbuildingbeach at Cei Bach (the small quay).The earliest recorded sailing vesselbuilt here was the 36-ton sloop‘Betsy’ in 1805. Launching wasceremoniously conducted with all

the craftsmen involved and the local population turning up to celebrate.The 291-ton three-mast barque ‘Syren’ which foundered en route fromSouth America in 1887 was the largest ship built here.

On the southerly extreme of Cei Bach, the headland of Llanina Pointonce extended further out to sea culminating in Carreg Ina, a largerock where, according to local folklore, a mermaid could be seenbasking in the sun. She once became entangled in a fishing boat’s netsand, on being released by fishermen, warned of an incoming stormenabling them to return safely to the shore.Ash and sycamore obscurea small stone church dedicated to Ina.The original church was lost tothe waves but the existing structure, built in 1850, incorporatesmasonry from its predecessor.

Dylan Thomas lived nearby during World War II.That period wasDylan’s most prolific in terms of literary output.You will see from yourOS map that you can walk to New Quay along the minor road fromCei Bach - rather than along Traethgwyn.

The road route is a section of theNew Quay Dylan Thomas Trailpassing Majoda - the house wherehe lived. Dylan Thomas’ extensiveassociations with Ceredigion areexplained in ‘The Dylan Thomas Trail’by David Thomas.

Lewis Morris mentioned New Quay as ‘a hamlet with small fishingsloops’ in his 1748 coastal survey of Wales. Early inhabitants engaged in a mixture of farming and herring fishing, the season lastingthroughout the autumn months. Fresh herring had to be eaten quicklyor preserved by salting, smoking or a combination of both.

The New Quay Harbour Act of 1835 enabled construction of the mainharbour. Stone quarried locally was transported by a tram along whatis now Rock Street. Some of the four-foot gauge tramline can still beseen on the small green near the Tourist Information Centre.

A popular holiday resort, visitors to New Quay are enthralled by theresident bottlenose dolphin population. Between Easter and October,New Quay offers boating trips out into the Cardigan Bay Special Areaof Conservation and along the Ceredigion Marine Heritage Coastaffording magnificent opportunities to spot the dolphins and othermarine and coastal animals.

Aberaeron - New Quay New Quay



+ Summer ServiceTransport enquiries:Traveline Wales 0870 608 2608

Tourist Information:New Quay (Easter-Sept) 01545 560865


[email protected]


www.nationaltrust.org.ukwww.WalesCycleBreaks.com

www.llain.co.ukwww.traveline.org.uk


Other useful contacts:Winston Evans Boat Trips:

Daytime: 01545 560800Evenings: 01545 560375

Dolphin Survey Boat Trips: 01545 560032Mobile: 07796 135490

Llain Activity Centre: 01545 580127

Traethgwyn New Quay

© C

row

n co

pyri

ght.

All

righ

ts r

eser

ved.

Cer

edig

ion

Cou

nty

Cou

ncil,

1000

1328

8,20

04. ©

Crow


eredigion County C

ouncil,100013288,2004.


16 17

Access the route towardsCwmtydu via Lewis Terrace, theuppermost of the terraces on thewestern side of New Quay beyondthe Tourist Information Centre.An onward route, from Cwmtyduto Llangrannog is being developed

but the circular route linking Cwmtydu and New Quay - describedin most guidebooks - should presently be followed.

The path leads past the National Trust’s property at Craig Yr Adar(Birds’ Rock) - a Site of Special Scientific Interest. Look out forchough and stonechat and, during spring and early summer,razorbills and guillemots searching for fish in the waters below.There is a lookout shelter on the route - a former Coastguardstation - affording a marvellous opportunity to watch the birds orspot the dolphins in the bay below. Further south you willencounter the remains of an early fortified Iron Age settlementcalled Castell Bach (small castle).

Arriving at Cwmtydu, you will find a secluded cove overlooked bygrassy slopes with a group of houses nestling in the valley of AfonFfynnon Ddewi (river of David’s well), at the mouth of which lies asmall shingle beach.

Llangrannog was founded by St Carantoc, one of the severalnames by which this Celtic saint isknown.A legend surrounds thefoundation of the church he builtafter his arrival by sea in 500 AD.Carantoc was whittling a new staff

when a pigeon flew down and carried off pieces of bark: taking thisas a message from God, he followed the pigeon to where it hadlaid the bark and built a church of wattle and daub on the site -close to that of the present church.The existing church dates from1884 but retains some of the oldest items in the village, including aNorman font carved of local sandstone and a bell dated 1658.

Present day Llangrannog is one of the most picturesque seasidesettlements in Wales. It has two beaches,Traeth y Pentref (thevillage beach) and Cilborth.To the north of Llangrannog, the pathclimbs immediately north of the main beach, winding aboveCilborth towards the spectacularly scenic National Trust headlandat Ynys Lochtyn. A southerly circular route links Llangrannog toanother extensive National Trust property at Penbryn - this routecan also be treated as a linear route linking to Tresaith andAberporth beyond.

New Quay - Cymtydu Llangrannog - Penbr yn


Public Transport:Nearest Railway Station: AberystwythLocal Bus Service: Summer Service




[email protected] websites:

www.WalkCardiganBay.comwww.CardiganBaySAC.org.uk

www.nationaltrust.org.ukwww.traveline.org.uk



Public Transport:Nearest Railway Station: AberystwythLocal Bus Service: Summer Service




[email protected]


www.CardiganBaySAC.org.ukwww.nationaltrust.org.uk


Cardigan Bay Lookout Llangrannog

© C

row

n co

pyri

ght.

All

righ

ts r

eser

ved.

Cer

edig

ion

Cou

nty

Cou

ncil,

1000

1328

8,20

04. ©

Crow


eredigion County C

ouncil,100013288,2004.


18 19

Penbryn is a scattered settlementof great antiquity set in themixed woodland valley of theHoffnant.The attractive valleyreaches the coast at a break inthe cliffs where two small areasof sand dunes have accumulated.

The spacious beach is totally unspoilt and extends westwardstowards Tresaith.Although too shallow for the trading vessels ofthe 19th century, the beach was used by contraband traderswho hid their booty among the rocks just inland - the areabecoming known as ‘Smugglers’ Valley’.

With considerable care, having consulted the Ceredigion TideTables, you can walk along the foreshore to Tresaith, but beaware that it is a testing route with many of the seaweed-strewnforeshore rocks being extremely slippery.The recommendedroute from Penbryn to Tresaith described in most guidebookstakes the single-track road leading past St Michael’s church - oneof the oldest in Wales.

Tresaith lies in a sheltered basinoverlooking an attractive sandybeach.The river Saith’s seawardpath was diverted during the lastIce Age so that it tumbles over thecliffs in a cascading waterfall.A smallbay beyond - accessible with care at

low tide - exhibits a variety of dramatic rock structures, includingcaves and stacks encrusted with a colourful selection of lichens.

Tresaith, in common with most other beaches along the coast,provided a landing site for small sailing vessels throughout the 19thcentury.There were two limestone kilns adjacent to the beach servingthe immediate hinterland with local farmers bringing their carts to thebeach to collect lime.

Tresaith was the home of Allen Raine, known as the ‘Welsh CatherineCookson’. Born Ann Adaliza Evans, in 1836, her married name wasPuddicombe. She wrote her first book at the age of 60 and, by thetime she died, aged 71, had written nine novels, some of which wereturned into silent films. Mrs Puddicombe is buried in the churchyardof St Michaels at Penbryn.

The coastal path linking Tresaith to Aberporth climbs in a southerlydirection from the access to Tresaith beach.

Penbr yn Tresaith


Public Transport:Nearest Railway Stations: Aberystwyth

CarmarthenLocal Bus Service: Summer Service




[email protected]






CarmarthenLocal Bus Service: 550 & Summer Service


Tourist Information:Cardigan (all year) 01239 613230

[email protected]



www.internalfire.comwww.mwldan.co.uk


Penbryn Tresaith

© C

row

n co

pyri

ght.

All

righ

ts r

eser

ved.

Cer

edig

ion

Cou

nty

Cou

ncil,

1000

1328

8,20

04. ©

Crow


eredigion County C

ouncil,100013288,2004.


20 21

Two small streams, the Gilwenand Howni, have cut deep valleysconverging on Aberporth Baybeyond which lies a ruggedlyattractive coastline. Shelteredfrom prevailing southwesterlywinds by Pen Cribach, the bay is

a popular boating and bathing area.Aberporth originallyconsisted of single storeyed cottages - with mud walls andthatched roofs - centred around the beaches and a shale spurcalled Pen Trwyn Cynwyl - named after St Cynwyl, a 6th centurysaint to whom the parish church is dedicated.

By the early 19th century sailing craft were taking advantage ofthe sheltered bay, supplying the village with essential goodslanded on Dyffryn beach which became known as Traeth yLlongau (Ships Beach). Rusty iron mooring rings can still be seenembedded in the rocks around the bay. During the stormywinters the ships were laid up and refitted in the Teifi estuary.

An off-road coastal route linking Aberporth to Mwnt is stillbeing developed, but several guidebooks offer guidance on theroute along the single-track coastal roads.

The outstanding beauty andundeveloped character of theNational Trust headland at Mwntoffers a secluded beach,spectacular views over the Teifiestuary towards Pembrokeshireand an historic pilgrims’ church -

once a strategic location on an ancient pilgrimage routeconnecting St David’s with Bardsey Island.The whitewashedChurch of the Holy Cross, standing in splendid isolation, datesfrom around 1400 but is built in a hollow on the site of anearlier Celtic church.The site is obscured from sea view, therebyproviding some protection from passing raiders.

The name of the settlement of Ferwig, on the route towardsCardigan, shows the Viking influence on this coast for it isderived from the same root as ‘Berwick’. Further on, the nameof the settlement at Gwbert reverts to Celtic influence, beingattributable to yet another wandering saint of the earlycenturies.The route now follows the Teifi estuary, providingexcellent views of ancient oak woodlands, the tidal marshes andthe Pembrokeshire Coast National Park onthe opposite bank.

Aberporth - Mwnt Mwnt - Cardigan



CarmarthenLocal Bus Service: 550 & Summer Service



[email protected]



www.internalfire.comwww.mwldan.co.uk







[email protected]



www.CardiganBayBoatCharters.co.ukwww.mwldan.co.uk


Aberporth Mwnt

© C

row

n co

pyri

ght.

All

righ

ts r

eser

ved.

Cer

edig

ion

Cou

nty

Cou

ncil,

1000

1328

8,20

04. ©

Crow


eredigion County C

ouncil,100013288,2004.


22 23

Cardigan is the historic gatewayinto Ceredigion from the south.The fortifications on the northernbank of the Teifi guarding theroute into Ceredigion fromPembrokeshire over Cardigan’s oldstone bridge testify to ancient

battles fought to repel Norman and Anglo-Saxon invaders.The firstcastle built in the vicinity was actually by the Normans in 1093.Over the following 150 years, many bloody battles were fought andthe control of Cardigan changed hands no less than sixteen times.In 1171, one of the last of the native Ceredigion princes, Lord Rhysap Gruffydd, strengthened the walls of the castle whose remainsare presently visible.

It was at his castle in Cardigan, in 1176, that Rhys ap Gruffydd heldthe first recorded Eisteddfod - the uniquely Welsh competitive artsfestival. Bearing in mind that this first Eisteddfod was held nearly400 years before the English parliament imposed the Act of Unionupon Wales and 600 years before the union of England andScotland, this first Eisteddfod held by Rhys was actually anInternational Eisteddfod, having been proclaimed throughout the British Isles.

The remains of Cardigan castlehave only recently reverted back into public ownership and considerable work is currently being undertaken to plan the enhancement andprotection of this significant

site in the history of Wales and Welsh culture.

Cardigan remains to be a significant cultural centre via TheatrMwldan, which has recently been considerably refurbished andextended.This thriving community arts centre offers a year-roundprogramme of quality stage and film productions together with artsand craft exhibitions, and also houses the Cardigan TouristInformation Centre, which is open all year.

Contemporary Cardigan offers a highly convenient base for walking holidays, offering easy access to coastal walks along thePembrokeshire Coast National Park, in the Preseli hills, within theTeifi Valley and along the Ceredigion coastline. Cardigan also hostsits own Walking Festival every October.

Cardigan is a Wales Cycle Breaks Centre offering a number ofinteresting cycle routes including an off-road cycleway linking thetown with the Welsh Wildlife Centre at nearby Cilgerran.

Cardigan Cardigan






[email protected]


www.nationaltrust.org.ukwww.CardiganBayBoatCharters.co.uk

www.mwldan.co.ukwww.ccw.gov.uk

www.pembrokeshirecoast.org.ukwww.internalfire.com

www.visitcardigan.comwww.traveline.org.uk


Other useful contacts:Cardigan Festival of Walking 01239 615554Cardigan Boat Charters: 01239 614050Theatr Mwldan: 01239 621200Internal Fire Museum 01239 811212

The Teifi Estuary Cardigan

© C

row

n co

pyri

ght.

All

righ

ts r

eser

ved.

Cer

edig

ion

Cou

nty

Cou

ncil,

1000

1328

8,20

04. ©

Crow


eredigion County C

ouncil,100013288,2004.

walking leaflet-final 5 - penlan coastal cottages · from clarach the path climbs through woodland...

Documents