What's on in Ceredigion

Ceredigion is perhaps the most ‘welsh’ county in all of Wales, a proud nationalist region that has maintained Welsh as its first language. Perhaps this is because it lies so far from the English border or perhaps it is a spirit that has remained since their 11th century Norman resistance. Whatever the reason, this county is Wales at its best, with a landscape ranging from spectacular coastal walks to sparkling blue lakes, from deep forests to lush valleys to the county capital Aberystwyth, an old seaside resort that is bubbling and vibrant with a young student population.

The county of Ceredigion is a former kingdom in mid-west Wales and is bordered by Pembrokeshire to the south-west, Carmarthenshire to the south, Powys to the east and Gwynedd to the north. As well as Aberystwyth the main towns and villages include Tregaron, Penparcau, New Quay, Llanilar, Lampeter, Cardiagan, Borth Aberarth and Aberaeron. In the 7th century it was known as Seisyllwg Kingdom and by the 1oth century was part of the Deheubarth Kingdom. After Edward conquered Wales in 1282 it became Cardiganshire, an anglicisation of Ceredigion.

The east of the county features the glorious Cambrian Mountains whilst Plynlimon is the source of the Rheidol, Llyfnant, Dulas, Wye and Severn rivers. The county is blessed with over 50 miles of spectacular sandy beaches, with white sand and turquoise waters that would not look out of place on the Mediterranean coast. This is particularly true of the coastline between Aberporth and New Quay and in summer Ceredigion welcomes Britain’s only permanent colony of bottle – nosed dolphins. With hundreds of miles of mountain biking trails and endless beautiful spots for fishing it is easy to see why it is one of the most popular holiday destinations in Wales. A stroll along the Ceredigion Coastal Path will reveal an abundance of wildlife from dolphins to porpoise, seals to marine birds. Inland there are the valleys of Teifi, Aeron and Rheidol and the forests of the Cambrian mountains. For culture there is the National Library of Wales and the Wales Portrait Gallery in Aberystwyth and in recent years most parts of the county seem to have found a link to put themselves on the growing Dylan Thomas Trail, Thomas being one of Ceredigion’s most famous sons. From the vibrant buzz of Aberystwyth’s cosmopolitan bars and eateries to watching the sunset over Cardigan Bay, Ceredigion is Wales at its very best.

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