What is Aberaeron like? A History to the Town.
Aberaeron is a charming seaside town in Ceredigion, West Wales, between Cardigan and Aberystwyth. It is one of those places you travel to where you feel like you are getting the authentic Welsh local experience as you hear people speaking in Welsh. Its name can be translated from Welsh to mean ‘mouth of the Aeron’, and less than 1500 people live there.
Don’t let the number of people put you off. If anything, the small size adds to its charm. There are pastel coloured Regency-style Georgian-era houses, a beautiful bridge, and a harbour to explore. Many of the buildings in the town are listed for having a unique historical or architectural history (one in four), which means it is a beautiful place to explore and admire. Undeniably, this compact town makes an excellent UK holiday destination, which could be why there are so many ice-cream shops.
The harbour town got a spot on the map in 1807 when Parliament allowed a harbour to be constructed. It became a port town for the shipbuilding industry and began to expand. As well as its maritime links and seafood, today it is known for its selling of honey products and its connections with the poet Dylan Thomas. Therefore, it is a popular spot for those on a Wales road trip, and we have created this guide so that you can maximise your time, unwind and know what to expect before you go.
Aberaeron postcode: SDA46
The nearest train station is Aberystwyth which is 16 miles or a 25-minute drive away. It takes 40-minutes to reach Cardigan. There is a bus service that runs between Aberystwyth and Cardigan.
Aberaeron Weather
You can check a detailed seven-day forecast for Aberaeron on the Met Office Website to help plan your trip.
8 Things to do in Aberaeron Town
Aberaeron Harbour
There is nothing better than walking around Aberaeron harbour and watching the sailboats whilst you feel the sea breeze running through your hair. You can sit on the benches and watch the world go by. From here, you can also walk along the promenade behind North Beach. It is lovely – rain or shine.
Aberaeron Restaurants
You might not think so at first, but the town has some beautiful food and offers a great dining experience for all the foodies out there. Some of the top-rated places are listed below:
- New Celtic for fish and chips.
- Gin or honey ice cream at The Hive on the Quay
- The Harbourmaster for cheese overlooking the harbour
- McCowan’s Aberaeron
- Cellar Restaurant and Bar
Aberaeron Shops
The town is blessed with numerous independent, quirky shops to suit every need. You will find shops along the high street and in Alban Square. Bookworm Books, Aeron Sports, Ambassadors for gifts, Stewarts for clothes, florists and more. The best thing to do is explore and walk around to find something you fancy.
Aberaeron Beach
Aberaeron has two large beaches, the North Beach and the South Beach, separated by its harbour. The beach is pebbled and is quite steep in places. However, it stretches for miles and is a lovely place to walk if it is not too windy. Dogs are not permitted between 1st May and 30th September on South Beach.
Aberaeron Town Trail
Another exciting thing to do in Aberaeron is to walk the town trail. This trail opened in 2007 to celebrate the heritage of the town. There are 22 places of interest on the course, including the Harbourmaster’s House, the British School and the Town Hall. It was one of the first planned towns in Wales, and the architecture is lovely to see. You can find full details of all 22 places, the history behind them and a map on Discover Cardigan here.
Visit for a Lively Festival
There are numerous festivals and events held throughout the year. For example, you can go to the Aberaeron Mackerel Fiesta in July. In August, the Cardigan Bay seafood festival is extremely popular.
Also, in August, there is an annual Welsh Welsh Ponies and cobs festival at Alban Square Field on the bank holiday. There is a procession of floats and a queen. If you cannot visit at this time, you can see a life-size Welsh Cob Horse statue donated to the town!
You can visit the Cardigan Bay website for information on Aberaeron’s calendar of events.
Wales Coast Path
Although the Welsh Coastal path is 870 miles long, it passes through the town so that you can do a part of it. Depending on how much time you have, you can walk short or long distances, or whether you fancy a more straightforward, shorter route or a more challenging one. You will have to research bus routes if you want to go one way.
Some options include:
- Aberystwyth 26 km/ 16 miles
- New Quay- 9.5km/ 5.9 miles
- Llanon – 6.4km/ 4 miles
- Aberarth- 1.6km/1 mile
Do you fancy something different? The Dylan Thomas Trail runs through Aberaeron. It begins in Llanon, passes through the Aeron Valley, towards Llanercgaeron to Aberaeron, and continues to New Quay. Dylan Thomas had many friends in Aberaeron, and the trail also includes places associated with the great poet!
Boat Trip
You can go on a boat trip to see more of the Ceredigion coast from the harbour. It is an outstanding coastline, and you have a chance at seeing bottlenose dolphins and other wildlife. It is one of two places to see bottlenose dolphins along the British coast. The best time to go is September and October.
Things to do near Aberaeron
Llanerchaeron
Only 2.5 miles from Aberaeron is Llanerchaeron, a restored National Trust property built in 1795 to be a model working farm. It was built by John Nash, the architect of Regent’s Park in London. You can walk around the walled gardens, the lake and see rooms in the mansion that have not been touched, such as the laundry and a brewing room.
New Quay
New Quay is only 15 minutes from the town by car. It is another harbour town with a Blue Flag Beach, which is sheltered and has a lovely local feel. It is the place to come if you want to go on a dolphin tour, but sometimes you can see the dolphins from the bay. There are also excellent facilities, such as accessible toilets and a free place to fill up your water bottle. You can walk and watch the boats or sit in one of the cafes overlooking the harbour. There was £3 all-day parking when we visited, which was cheaper than other spots we had seen.
Cardigan
The beautiful town of Cardigan is only 35 minutes away. It is a town full of history, and there are numerous exciting things to do. When you visit, you should not miss Cardigan Castle and the ruins of St Dogmaels Abbey for all history lovers. You can also go on a boat trip along the river, bargain hunt at Guildhall Market and visit Mwnt Beach nearby.
For a complete guide to Cardigan, please read: The Best Things to do in Cardigan.
Complete Guide to Mwnt Beach
Aberystwyth
Thirty minutes from the town, you can go to Aberystwyth – a great fun University town. You can go on beach sidewalks along the promenade, play games on the pier, visit the castle ruins and take a ride on the Cliff Railway. It has a lot to offer, and we would recommend visiting. You can also go on a steam train ride of the Rheidol Railway, which opened in 1902! Amazing!
Please read: The Best Things to do in Aberystwyth.
Accommodation and Hotels in Aberaeron
There is a range of accommodation for a small place to suit everyone’s needs. It is a good option for those wanting a base to explore the coastline. Here are some of the best options:
- Aberaeron Bed and Breakfast
- Harbourmaster Hotel
- The Pod & Cwtch Luxury Accommodation
- Sunset Studio Apartments
We hope you enjoyed this guide to the best things to do in Aberaeron and beyond. A sensational part of Wales is lively enough to have a great atmosphere yet still feels undiscovered. We hope you enjoy your trip, and let us know what you get up to!
Photo Credits: averagelives.com