Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
CEREDIGION
Bordered by the vast expanse of Cardigan Bay on one side and the sparsely populated
Cambrian Mountains on the other, Ceredigion (pronounced with a
dig
not a
didge
) is an
ancient Welsh kingdom founded by a chieftain called Ceredig. The rural communities here
escaped the massive population influxes of the coal-mining valleys of the south and the
slate-mining towns of the north and, consequently, the Welsh language is stronger here than
in any other part of the country except Gwynedd and Anglesea, with over 50% of the local
population claiming they speak Welsh.
The lack of heavy industry also left Ceredigion with some of Britain's cleanest beaches,
and with no train access south of Aberystwyth, they tend to be less crowded. Adding to the
isolation is the natural barrier known as the Desert of Wales, consisting of the barren up-
lands of the Cambrian Mountains, which separate Ceredigion from Powys. The sandy
coves, sea cliffs, wooded river valleys and arid mountains here are as off the beaten track
as Wales gets.
TOP OF CHAPTER
Cardigan (Aberteifi)
POP 4180
Small, historically sleepy Cardigan has the feel of a town on the cusp of change. Hip craft
shops, trendy home-grown fashion labels, gourmet food stores and stylish B&Bs are creep-
ing up the high street at a steady pace. Dynamic creative types seem to have been drawn
here in recent years and although Cardigan hasn't quite shaken off its lacklustre image, it's
well on its way. The castle is being restored, the town's reputation for its alternative arts
scene is growing and the jumble of historical architecture that lines its streets and lanes has
been given a new lease of life thanks to a local heritage initiative.
There's plenty of great walking in the surrounding countryside, lots of outdoor activities
and some interesting places to visit such as the Welsh Wildlife Centre (WWC), St Dog-
maels and Poppit Sands just across the river in Pembrokeshire. For walkers, Cardigan is the
closest town to the end of the Pembrokeshire Coast Path (PCP) and the first town at the be-
ginning of the new Ceredigion Coast Path (CCP), so it sees plenty of hikers coming and
going.
