Glanfread, Aberystwyth

Dyfed. Sleeps up to 7

Aberystwyth shops, beach, pubs and restaurantsSweeping around the curving shore of Cardigan Bay, Aberystwyth's historic town nestles between three hills and two beaches. There are castle ruins to explore and a pier as well as a harbour - once the busiest in Wales. Aberystwyth offers an abundance of lovely cafe's, coffee houses and restaurants, catering for all tastes, from locally sourced specialist menus to more exotic and adventurous palates. The "Medina" cafe comes highly recommended. Take a stroll along the Promenade and you may just spot a dolphin before exploring the many and varied clothing boutiques and retail shops. Ride up to the top of Constitution Hill on the scenic unique funicular Aberystwyth Cliff Railway to discover at the top, the largest Camera Obscura in the world. Aberystwyth CastleWander around the atmospheric ruins of this ancient castle set on the coast with fabulous views. A great venue for picnics, photography and fantasy play for would be knights in shining armour and beautiful damsels in distress. Children's play ground next door. Ceredigion MuseumDiscover the history and culture of the area in this small but perfectly welcoming museum in the old Coliseum. A lively programme of events and temporary exhibitions will enhance your visit. Books, gifts and more are on sale in the museum shop. Cardigan Bay Beaches – Clarach Bay, Borth, YnyslasClarach Bay is the next bay north of Aberystwyth. There is a pleasant cliff-edge walk from Aberystwyth to Clarach Bay which starts at the end of the Promenade - make your way to the top of Constitution Hill, then simply follow the well-worn path along the hillside. Borth has a long sand and shingle beach - popular with families and surfers all year round. Ynyslas, with views inland and across the estuary to Aberdyfi, is a great spot for walking or relaxing with waymarked boardwalks, trails through the dunes and a Visitor Centre open from Easter till September - lots of information about the plants and wildlife of the area. Ceredigion Coast PathFollow the contours of Cardigan Bay discovering stunning coastal scenery, sleepy villages, dunes, sea cliffs, storm beaches, sandy bays, caves and diverse wildlife. You may well spot dolphins in the bay. HinterlandFans of the BBC drama series "Hinterland" will revel in exploring the filming locations. The gripping Nordic-noir TV detective drama series is set in Aberystwyth against the backdrop of the Cambrian Mountains and has been immensely popular with tv audiences. Twm’s Treks offers a choice of 8 guided walks based on this compelling tv series, taking you from the stunning coastline of Ceredigion up to the rural Cambrian Mountains and visiting various filming locations. You will certainly be wowed as well as entertained along the way!The Magic of Life Butterfly House, Rheidol ValleyDiscover hundreds of brightly coloured butterflies, giant caterpillars, exotic plants, waterfalls and woodland walks in this magical environment run by botanists. Open April - Nov. Hafod Uchtryd Forest GardensEnjoy delightful walks through this picturesque landscape created by its celebrated owner Thomas Johnes (1748-1816) and now cared for by National Resources Wales. Devils Bridge – 15 minutes drive awayDevils Bridge is famous for its waterfalls and three stacked bridges. In Welsh, it is known as Pontarfynach - 'The bridge over the Mynach River'. According to legend, the lowest bridge was built by the Devil himself to let a local woman rescue her cow which had somehow got to the other side of the gorge. Expecting the woman to walk across to get it, his one condition was that he received the soul of the first living creature to cross the bridge. However, he was tricked by the lady who got her pet dog to run across first - thus leaving the Devil with a soul of a dog!Devil's Bridge is also the terminus of the Vale of Rheiddol steam Railway which carries visitors through the Rheidol Valley from Aberystwyth. Silver Mountain ExperienceExperience a thrilling underground adventure and discover Welsh myths and legend. Don't miss Fearless Explorers, Young Adventurers and History Hunters. There are special events too. Are you brave enough to go on a Ghost Walk or to discover Terror Mountain?Cambrian Coast Railway The Cambrian Coast Railway consists of two branches from Machynlleth to Aberystwyth and Pwllheli. Hugging the coastline, the line offers spectacular views and interesting places to see, making it a cheap but interesting day out. Hop aboard to visit towns and villages all the way up the Gwynedd coast, explore the area's many steam railways, or just tour up and down enjoying the scenery. Dolphin Spotting Boat TripsThe elegant harbour town of Aberaeron is a scenic 30 minute drive away where guests can enjoy thrilling Seamor Wild Dolphin Tours around Cardigan Bay. For further information phone 07795 242445. Bwlch Nant Yr Arian Kite Feeding and Visitor CentreThis is a very large woodland site with a whole host of activities including walks, cycle trails and red kite feeding with a shop and information centre. Hafod EstateThe Hafod Estate was an essential destination for the early tourist in Wales. Visitors can follow various different way-marked walks, including the Gentleman's Walk, the Bridge Walk, the Bedford Monument Walk or the Ystwyth Gorge Walk. A fabulous place to explore all year round. Strata Florida (Vale of Flowers)An on-site Visitor Centre hosts a small exhibition on Strata Florida's history. It can also supply details of three heritage trails exploring nearby woodland, the Abbey's former horse farm and Tregaron Bog. Located in a tranquil and picturesque valley, Strata Florida Abbey is one of Wales' most significant ancient sites.

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