Cardigan Bay – What is there to do locally?

Situated only 3 miles from the coast we are centrally based in the Cardigan Bay section of the 870 mile All Wales Coast Path and only 7 miles from the Pembrokeshire National Park. You are perfectly placed to enjoy peaceful coastal walks, cycling through quiet lanes, relax on the quiet and clean Cardigan Bay beaches, take part in watersports or take a boatride to go dolphin watching. We can provide you with local walking or cycling maps.

This is also a perfect base for visiting the recently restored Cardigan Castle or the National Trust Llanerchaeron estate at the colourful seaside town of Aberaeron; Devil’s Bridge; Cenarth Falls, birdwatching at the Cilgerran Wildlife Centre, or strolling through the many public gardens, farmers markets, antique shops, galleries and craft centres in this peaceful coastal county.  Make the most of your visit to West Wales

Walking

Coastal:  There are many lovely walks along the coast, Aberporth to Tresaith is about 30 minute walk, Penbryn to Llangrannog is about an hour, or you can do circular walks around the headland at Llangrannog, New Quay and Poppit Sands near Cardigan. Further into Pembrokeshire there is a nice walk from Moyelgrove Garden centre to the Witches Cauldron at Ceibwr Bay.

Inland walks: From Aberaeron along the old railway track to Llanerchaeron national trust estate is a 3 mile walk on relatively flat terrain.

The wildlife centre at Cilgerran has several marked walks around the nature reserve, some easier than others, best to ask for a walk map inside the information centre. There is also a cafe there serving vegetarian food at lunchtimes.

Hill Walking:  Beautiful walks through the Preseli hills in Pembrokeshire, where you can visit the Pentre Ifan standing stones near Newport.

Wildlife Spotting from Land and Sea

Boat trips from New Quay, Cardigan, St Davids (to Ramsey & Skomer Island)

Sunny Days on the Beach

The beaches of Cardigan Bay are generally clean, safe and uncrowded. They are also famous for visiting bottle-nosed dolphins, porpoises and Atlantic grey seals.  Over the Rainbow is a few minutes away from several blue flag beaches including Poppit Sands, New Quay where you can  take part in watersports or watch for dolphins. At the rocky outcrop at Llangrannog you can enjoy good food and circular walks around the headland There are delightful National Trust beaches nearby at Mwnt and Penbryn, both quiet and pretty coves.

Water Sports

Kayaking / Canoeing / Paddleboarding / Coasteering / Waterskiing / Windsurfing:  Cardigan Bay Watersports NewQuay 01545 561 257 or Cardigan bay active in Cardigan 01239 612133

Open Gardens

Llanerchaeron National Trust estate near Aberaeron.
National Botanic Gardens of Wales Near Carmarthen, open all year round.
Dyffryn Fernant Dinas near Fishguard SA65 9SP. Weds–Sundays Easter to Sept
Cae Hir Garden & Tea Room Cribyn near Lampeter SA48 7NG Open daily Easter-Oct

Cycling & Cycle routes

Rainy Days

Visit our local award winning Gin & Whisky Distillery ‘The Welsh Wind‘ at Tanygroes.

Cardigan Castle recently restored after decades of neglect, the castle recently won ‘Restoration of the Year’  – guided tours are very informative.  The Internal Museum of Fire – a museum of internal combustion engines at Tanygroes.  Honey Farm New Quay – Bee hive behind glass; shop, tearoom and Meadery. May to October. There is also the National Wool Museum at Drefach, the Museum of Childhood near Saron (Closed Wednesdays).

Visit St Davids’ cathedral at the UK’s smallest city – a great day out.

Local artists open studios in Ceredigion  Newport Art Collective, East St Newport 01239 821056.

Horse Riding through Ceredigion’s network of bridleways, grassy tracks and quiet lanes.

Discover the Dark Skies 

Ceredigion’s naturally dark skies are ideal for stargazing, spotting a single shooting star or meteor shower.

Tourist Information Centres

Aberystwyth  Terrace Road SY23 2AG aberystwythTIC@Ceredigion.gov.uk  Mon-Sat   01970 612125

Aberaeron  Pen Cai  SA46 0BT  aberaeronTIC@Ceredigion.gov.uk  Closed Thurs 01545 570602

New Quay  Church Street  SA45 9NZ NewQuayTIC@Ceredigion.gov.uk  Mon-Sat Summer 01545 560865

Newport   Long Street SA42 0TN newportTIC@pembrokeshirecoast.org.uk 01239 820912

Fishguard  Town Hall SA65 9HA  fishguard.tic@pembrokeshire.gov.uk  01437 776636

St David’s  Oriel y Park Gallery  SA626NW  info@orielyparc.co.uk  01437 720 392