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Off the beaten track in wonderful Mid-Wales
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Looking for a break off the beaten track? Mid-Wales with its gloriously inviting Cambrian coastline and inland rural landscape of lakes, forests and pastures is the place to be.
From sophisticated seaside resorts with a cosmopolitan feel to small market towns where more than half the population speak Welsh, Mid-Wales remains stalwartly resistant to the trappings of mass tourism.
With its unique blend of rural scenery, attractive towns and villages, colourful Welsh culture and language, no wonder visitors are being wooed by Mid-Walian charm.
Mid-Wales has so much to offer discerning visitors that this niche sector of the tourist industry, albeit on a small scale, is doing rather well. Visitors to the area are made to feel genuinely welcome and this is perhaps why so many people return to the area, time and time again. Croeso (welcome) is a word that pops up everywhere - on bed and breakfast signs, cafés, pubs, restaurants, tourist attractions, road signs, even on tourist information leaflets, the ubiquitous croeso is oh so tempting for tourists to the area.
So where are the best places to stay, in Mid-Wales? As far as quality accommodation is concerned, you’ll be spoilt for choice …Aberystwyth, Aberaeron, New Quay, Cardigan …all make ideal bases for exploring the area.
The Lowdown:
Aberystwyth
An attractive university town with a real buzz, during term-time, Aberystwyth has an air of refinement, even in high season. The town has an abundance of decent restaurants, cafés, pubs, excellent B&Bs and plenty to occupy all members of the family. Take a trip on the Cliff Railway funicular to the top of Constitution Hill for some of the best views of the town below – its sweeping promenade, the Old College buildings, the remains of Aberystwyth Castle decimated by Oliver Cromwell during the Civil War and the narrow, bustling streets of this well-heeled seaside resort. No visit to Aberystwyth is complete, however, without taking the scenic 12-mile trip on the narrow-gauge Vale of Rheidol Railway from Aberystwyth to Devil’s Bridge. The rail-line opened in 1902 to transport lead and timber, but today has become one of Aberystwyth’s most popular attractions.
Aberaeron
South of Aberystwyth, along the Cardigan Bay coastline lies Aberaeron, a small former port town of great charm and character. Elegant Georgian architecture, brightly-coloured houses, a lively arts and crafts scene, up-market gift shops, delightful harbour-side cafés and pubs - these are just some of the attractions of this small coastal town. Other ‘must-dos’ in Aberaeron include the innovative Aberaeron Sea Aquarium and the organised boat trips to explore the marine ecology of Cardigan Bay. And best of all, Aberaeron remains a remarkably well-kept secret, as far as mass tourism is concerned.
New Quay
Dylan Thomas based his fictional town of Llareggub on New Quay. This small seaside resort and fishing harbour, with its expanse of golden sands and higgledy-piggledy houses clinging to the hillside, oozes charm and tourist appeal. Visitors are well catered for with a great choice of B&Bs, character pubs and family-style cafés and restaurants. Take a boat trip round the bay and do some serious dolphin spotting! New Quay is a real gem of place to visit all year round, but it can get a bit crowded, in high season.
Cardigan
A small, traditional market town, Cardigan offers a strong sense of community and a less hurried lifestyle. Welsh is the dominant language, although you’re more likely to hear “Wenglish” (a mix of Welsh and English) being spoken in and around the friendly town of Cardigan. Attractions include the Cardigan Heritage Centre, the neo-Gothic Guildhall that dates back to 1860 and the many specialist arts and craft shops.
Finally, if you really want to get into the spirit of things, here are a few Welsh phrases to endear you to the local population. Pronunciation is largely phonetic (once you’ve mastered the double ‘ll’ sound which is dragged through your teeth and the concept that ‘f’ is pronounced as ‘v and two ‘ff’s equal ‘f’!):
Os gwelwch yn dda (please)
Diolch (thank you)
Rwy’n dod o…(I’m from…)
Ga i beint o gwrw? (can I have a pint of beer?)
Iechyd da (cheers).
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