Aberystwyth

Aberystwyth is a coastal town in Ceredigion on the western shore of Wales facing Cardigan Bay. The town stretches along the bay with a beach to the north and another to the south, linked by a Victorian-era promenade overlooking the sea.

The origins of the settlement reach back to the early 12th century, when a castle was built at the mouth of the Ystwyth River. The university was founded in the late 19th century, transforming the town from a market settlement into an academic center.

The university has shaped the character of the town for over a century and a half, drawing thousands of students each year from Wales and beyond. The library on Penglais Hill preserves manuscripts and books in Welsh, serving as a living archive for the nation's literature and history.

From the railway station, the Cambrian Line runs to Birmingham and other parts of England as well as destinations within Wales. The promenade offers an easy walking route along the coast and is suitable for wheelchairs and pushchairs.

A narrow-gauge railway with steam locomotives runs from the town into the hinterland, following the Rheidol River valley up to the waterfalls at Devils Bridge. The route was originally built for mining and transporting lead before it became a tourist line.

Location: Ceredigion

Inception: 1109

Shares border with: Clarach Bay

Website: https://aberystwyth.gov.uk

GPS coordinates: 52.41667,-4.06667

Latest update: December 15, 2025 06:23