Travel Guide to the 10 Best Things to do in Cardigan
Cardigan is known as one of the best places in West Wales for a day trip or a stop on a Wales road trip. We found it lively in the day and quite a sleepy town at night. There are many exciting things to do in Cardigan and numerous Cardigan attractions to have a wonderful time. It’s full of ancient history, beauty and has a beautiful coastline on its doorstep.
Cardigan, which in Welsh is called Abertefi, means mouth of the River Teifi and is founded in 1110. It is in the county of Ceredigion and forms part of the Cardigan Bay area. The area is full of unspoilt beauty that is waiting to be explored. Have you got your camera ready? You’re going to need it!
How to get to Cardigan Wales
Unfortunately, there is not a train station in Cardigan. However, there are bus services which you can catch from the two closest stations, which are Aberystwyth and Haverfordwest. It would be quite a long journey – but anything is possible if you are up for an adventure.
It is much easier to reach by car, and there are numerous paid car parks where you can park your vehicle, so it is pretty easy! Check the Parkopedia website to find the car park for you. Here you will find up to date prices and the availability of spaces.
When is the best time to go to Cardigan?
Cardigan will always welcome visitors, as the locals love to show off the uniqueness of their town. However, if you want to time your visit for a festival, you should go to the annual Cardigan County Show in July. There are lots of events, attractions and stalls. If you want to visit without the crowds, you should try to come outside the school summer holidays.
10 Best Things to do in Cardigan Wales
There are so many Cardigan attractions it is challenging to wonder where to begin. But, don’t worry, this guide will give you the best of the best and help you plan your trip to maximise the fun!
Admire Cardigan Castle
You cannot miss Cardigan Castle when visiting the town. The Norman fortress sits proudly across the river Teifi and has beautiful medieval walls. It has been restored, and it reopened in 2015. It received a whopping £12 million to restore it, and it won Channel 4’s Restoration of the Year.
You can expect a play area for children, a kitchen garden, and informative and educational experiences when you visit. It is not like a typical castle visit but feels like a villa and museum. A visit usually takes about 2 hours. There is an Escape Room here, too, and numerous events throughout the year. Again, it is not a typical castle, but you’ll have to see it to believe it. We think it is one of the best things to do in Cardigan.
It is open every day from 10-4.
It costs £6 for an adult ticket and £3 for children.
It also has a popular cafe named 1176, where you can eat overlooking the river and offers self-catering and serviced accommodation. So who wants to stay in a castle?
Step back in time at St Dogmaels Abbey
You can walk to the 12th-century ruins of St Dogmaels Abbey from Cardigan or hop in your car and drive for 5-minutes. We chose to walk, but a lot of the walk was by the road, so that we wouldn’t recommend it as a route.
The ruins of St Dogmaels Abbey dates back to 1120, and you can walk around the grounds for free. There are plenty of information signs to tell you about its history and what each section would have been. It is said to be one of the most beautiful and historical attractions in Pembrokeshire.
Over the road, you can visit the Coach House, a museum that has exhibitions of artefacts and stone from the abbey. In addition, you can find out all about the abbey and the surrounding area. There is also a cafe to grab a coffee, some food, or an afternoon tea.
Tip: if you visit on a Tuesday morning, you can go to a weekly local producers market where there are 18 + stalls. Come along for hams, cakes, fish, flowers and other fresh produce.
Go on the River
From Prince Charles Quay, you can hop on board a River Cruise that will take you to the mouth of the river and back. There will be an information board displaying the departure times for the day you decide to go. The trip will last around 45 minutes in total. You will get to see wildlife, learn about the history of the river and enjoy the beauty of the River Teifi at the same time.
Alternatively, you can go on a canoe trip if you feel more adventurous and want to be more in control. You can book with Heritage Canoes on their website and learn about the Teifi River, where fresh and saltwater meet. Experiencing the town from the water is one of the best things to do in Cardigan.
Shop in Cardigan
Cardigan’s shops are proudly positioned on a pretty Welsh street. There are numerous shops to wander in and out of. You can expect to find vintage, antiques and art. Our favourites include Stiwdio 3, which sells Welsh art and is a cafe too. In addition, there are shops hidden down secret passages, including a shop selling beautiful plants.
After you’ve finished walking down the high street, there is a convenient pub, where you can sit outside over the river in the beer garden. Enjoy!
Explore Cardigan Guildhall Market
If you’re looking for Welsh independent shops, head to Cardigan Guildhall Market. The exterior is very inviting and is the ‘first civic building in Britain in the ‘modern Gothic’ style’. You go through the large arches with Arabic influences to discover the independent traders inside. There are over 50 shops selling textiles, antiques, flowers and collectables. There is also a cafe here, where you can get a coffee and soak up the atmosphere.
Hike the River Teifi Trail
If you fancy a walk from Cardigan, then the River Teifi Trail is a good one to go on. This trail will take you to the Teifi Marshes Nature Reserve, by going along a path next to the river through some woodland, to Cilgerran Castle, Llechyrd and back. Go to the Visit Cardigan website for a complete guide and a PDF of the walk. This walk is a fantastic option if you are searching for wildlife in the area! Enjoy!
Relax on Mwnt Beach
Ahhh, we loved visiting Mwnt Beach, so it is one of the best things you can do in Cardigan. Mwnt Beach is an award-winning sandy beach, only 20-minutes by car or a walk away from Cardigan town. The National Trust owns and looks after it and has a large grassy car park, toilets, a colonial hill to climb, and a beautiful old white church.
Are you still not convinced? Then, please read our guide to visiting Mwnt Beach for all the details.
Divulge at Pizzatipi
Hidden beside the River Teifi is Pizzatipi. A spot that sells incredible stone bake pizzas and welsh craft beers. It is run by four brothers who put their hearts and souls into it. Go to the Pizza Tipi website to check opening hours and book a table. We recommend booking if you are visiting during the school holidays because it is trendy and you will likely be left disappointed!
Complete the Cardigan Trail
If you want to see a lot of the town, it is good to check out and go on the Cardigan Trail. On the website, you will find a map with 14 Cardigan attractions that you can visit. There are also detailed descriptions about each one, so you can learn as you go. The attractions include the Shire Hall, Theatr Mwldan, Customs House, St Mary’s Church and Cardigan Bridge. Although there’s a lot to see here, don’t think that there are not many people living there, there are not many things to do in Cardigan.
Explore Poppit Sands Beach
Poppit Sands Beach is only 10 minutes from Cardigan, and it is a Blue Flag accredited. Of course, this means plenty of facilities including toilets, a cafe and lifeguards in peak season. The beach is long and sandy, which means there is plenty of space for you to find your spot or play some games if you’re with friends or family.
Places to visit near Cardigan:
There are many places to see and things to do near Cardigan.
- You can visit Cardigan Island Coastal Farm, a 200m offshore island in Cardigan Bay. It is owned by The Wildlife Trust of South and West Wales and is a nature reserve.
- You can drive to Aberystwyth, which has many incredible attractions. Please read our guide on the best things to do in Aberystwyth here.
- We loved visiting Aberaeron – a colourful harbour town waiting to be explored. They make lovely coffee here. Read our guide to the best things to do in Aberaeron for more information.
You won’t have to worry about running out of things to do in Cardigan. Instead, we hope you found this helpful guide and have decided which Cardigan attractions you will visit on your next trip!
We have explored this area extensively, so if you’re looking for inspiration in the area, then please read:
Visiting Church Doors Cove Wales
Best things to do in St Davids
Visiting the Blue Lagoon Wales
Photo Credits: averagelives.com