Places

West Wales : Aberystwyth

The town of Aberystwyth (usually shortened to: 'Aber') is the ideal base for exploring West Wales. It has almost everything you need, including shops, hotels, guest houses, railway station, buses to many parts of West Wales, and even the essential McDonalds and Burger King!

A typical year in the life of Aberystwyth is split into two uneven 'halves'. For most of the year half of the towns 15,000 or so population is composed of students of the University of Wales, Aberystwyth. During the summer months, most of the students go home and Aberystwyth becomes populated by tourists (many from the Midlands).

Aber has two beaches. 'Town Beach' has a typical Victorian promenade, backed by Victorian terraces. There is also a pier which houses an amusement arcade, pub, night-club and Indian restaurant. Following the sea front south from Town Beach, you travel past the impressive building of 'The Old College' and around the headland upon which stands the Castle. You'll now be on 'South Beach, which extends to the to the harbour mouth. The two rivers of Aber, the Ystwyth and the Rheidol emerge through the harbour and from here discharge into the sea. Further south, beyond the harbour wall is Tan Y Bwlch beach.

The university perches on the hill overlooking Aberystwyth town, also on 'the hill' are Bronglais hospital and the National Library of Wales.

Although Aberystwyth has two beaches, for those of you looking for a relaxing day on the beach building sandcastles and swimming, a trip to nearby Borth is recommended.

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