Ceredigion

Ceredigion is a county in western Wales that runs along Cardigan Bay and stretches inland toward the forested hills and open moorlands of the Cambrian Mountains to the east. The coastline alternates between sandy coves, pebble beaches, and steep cliffs, while small rivers like the Teifi and Rheidol cut through valleys and run down toward the sea.

The area was part of the medieval kingdom of Deheubarth before Norman lords arrived in the late 11th century and built castles along the coast. Welsh princes regained control temporarily, until English administrative structures were firmly established in the 13th century under Edward I.

The Welsh language remains rooted in rural areas, where local communities gather regularly in village halls and chapels. Many signposts, shopfronts, and public notices appear in both languages, reflecting how deeply Welsh identity shapes daily life here.

The coastal road connects all the main towns and many smaller villages, while the interior is quieter and less densely populated. Public buses run between major settlements, but having your own vehicle makes it easier to reach remote beaches and hill trails inland.

The colony of bottlenose dolphins off the coast stays in these waters year-round and can often be watched from cliffs and harbor walls. This group has been tracked scientifically for decades and is one of the most studied dolphin populations in Europe.