Things to see and do in Ceredigion

Ceredigion is home to a mix of lively coastal towns and characterful market communities. Aberteifi (Cardigan)sits at the mouth of the River Teifi and is known for its beautifully restored Cardigan Castle, the historic Guildhall market, and a thriving arts scene centred around Theatr Mwldan. It’s also a great starting point for walks along the Wales Coast Path.

Further up the coast, the pretty harbour town of Aberaeron is instantly recognisable for its colourful Regency buildings. It’s a charming spot to wander, and the much‑loved Harbourmaster is a favourite for local food, great ales and a memorable place to stay.

Inland, the Teifi Valley is dotted with classic rural market towns such as Tregaron, Llanbed (Lampeter), Llandysul and Cenarth, where the farming community gathers to shop and local artists showcase their work in small, vibrant galleries. Along the coast you'll find welcoming seaside towns and villages including and Cei Newydd (New Quay) Aberaeron, while Aberystwyth stands as Mid Wales’ cultural capital.

Discover the best things to see, eat, drink and do along the River Teifi, as it links these communities through landscapes rich in heritage, creativity and warm Welsh hospitality.

Did we mention the perfect coves? The southern stretch of coast has some absolute gems – places like Mwnt, Aberporth, Lochtyn, Cwmtydu, Penbryn, Tresaith – which look like idealised illustrations from some childhood book about pirates. Further north around Aberystwyth and Borth, there are huge stretches of sand. And they’re all lapped by Cardigan Bay, home to big populations of dolphins and porpoises which, if you spend any length of time here, you’re almost guaranteed to see. For a deeper dive into coastal highlights and top beaches, explore our guide to Ceredigion’s coast.

This seaside university town has one of the busiest and most vibrant arts centres in the UK, hosting cinema screenings, dance, comedy and theatrical events, as well as all kinds of exhibitions. Keep an eye out for the Wales One World Festival early in the year and the International Ceramics Festival in the summer.

There’s something awe-inspiring about The National Library of Wales - it's an institution that aims to create an archive of every book, photograph, film and piece of music made in a country, - even somewhere as small as Wales. Best of all, this material is accessible to all visitors, who are also drawn by the regular exhibitions and lectures that take place at the library.

Llanerchaeron is an elegant, almost understated, Georgian mansion beside the River Aeron in Ceredigion. Llanerchaeron was built in 1790 by John Nash, who included Buckingham Palace and Brighton Pavilion on his impressive CV. The National Trust managed house now functions as a working organic farm, with Welsh black cattle, rare Welsh pigs and Llanwenog sheep.

Cardigan Bay is home to the sociable bottlenose dolphin, the comparatively shy harbour porpoise and over 5000 Atlantic grey seals. The Dolphin Survey Boat Trip from New Quay will give you the opportunity to learn from expert volunteers about the work that goes into maintaining this Special Area of Conservation (SAC). You can also spot dolphins swimming and playing closer to shore from cliff tops and beaches - a really magical sight.

The BBC’s much-loved Springwatch programme set up home amidst the woodland, wet grassland and saltmarshes of Ynys-hir in 2011. Ducks and geese reside here in winter, while the summer brings lapwings and redshanks. There are seven hides at RSPB Ynys-hir Nature Reserve for you to fully experience the wild wonder of this special corner of Ceredigion.

The Cambrian Mountains offer the ideal location for mountain bikers who enjoy a wild and rugged experience. There are three biking trails, three walking trails and a variety of other attractions in the area, including two play areas at Bwlch Nant Yr Arian, where you can watch red kites feeding over the nearby lake.

Catch a vintage train on the Vale of Rheidol Railway from Aberystwyth, and you seem to travel back in time along the 11 mile (17 km) narrow gauge railway track to Devil’s Bridge. This line opened in 1902 to serve local lead ore and timber industries since when it has only temporarily halted its service during times of war.

Devil's Bridge Falls is a remarkable site of not one, not two, but three bridges built where the River Mynach cascades 300 feet (90 metres) to the River Rheidol below. According to folklore the first bridge was constructed by the Devil himself, who was obviously a dab hand at this kind of thing having been credited with at least another 20 structures of a similar kind across Europe.

The Teifi Valley produces cheeses that have been voted the best in the world, beating all their fancy French and Italian competitors. It’s part of a huge food revival in this area, so you’ll find lots of traditional family favourites on the local menu, and of course some spectacularly good seafood from the coast. Expect traditional favourites made with pride, from cawl and Welsh rarebit to artisan baked goods and small‑batch preserves, all rooted in the landscape.

Along the coast, the seafood is exceptional: think lobster and crab fresh off the boats in Aberaeron, beach‑to‑plate mackerel in New Quay, and harbour cafés serving seasonal catch with a view. For something a little different, wild food is booming too - coastal foraging, seaweed tastings and chef‑led local food tours are fast becoming essential foodie experiences in West Wales. Whether you’re pairing world‑class Teifi cheese with a local cider, eating shellfish overlooking Cardigan Bay, or exploring farmers’ markets deep in the countryside, Ceredigion serves up flavour with a genuine sense of place.

Whatever kind of accommodation you are after, there's something for you in Ceredigion.

Live the luxury life in a countryside mansion like Noyadd Trefawr or go back to basics glamping at Ty Cwch Boathouse. Search for your perfect place to stay in Ceredigion.

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