Local Attractions

The Rheidol Riding Centre is a British Horse Society Approved Riding, Training and Examination Centre. The Centre has full-size floodlit indoor and full-size floodlit outdoor riding arenas, a show jumping and cross-country course, and fantastic trekking and hacking around the Rheidol Valley. Situated in the middle of the picturesque Rheidol Valley, four miles from the town of Aberystwyth. The Centre is enclosed by the River Rheidol to one side and the Vale of Rheidol Railway on the other.

Come and see some of the largest and most colourful butterflies in the world! Walk among them and watch them feeding, courting and laying eggs. They are farmed sustainably in the tropics, and then put in an incubator where they emerge the following week. Many of the butterflies have natural lives of only a week or two meaning that hundreds of pupae are imported each season. Up to 80 different species of butterflies are displayed over the year. The day out provides a hand-on learning experience for all ages.

The Rheidol Hydro Electric scheme is the largest of its kind in England and Wales. Since 1962, the scheme has generated renewable energy by using the rainwater that falls on the surrounding Plynlimon Mountains. Located within and above the scenic Rheidol Valley near Aberystwyth in Mid-Wales, the scheme is made up of an interconnected group of reservoirs, dams, pipelines, aqueducts and power stations, and covers a total area of 162 square kilometres. The annual energy production is about 85GWh – enough to power 20,000 homes.

Take the train from Aberystwyth and join a Cambrian Safaris Tour in Devils Bridge. The tour will last for about 4 hours and you can take the train back to Aberystwyth. Book this trip – including the train travel – with Cambrian Safaris. The tour includes a look at the ‘Devil’s Bridge’ and then a tour of the upper Rheidol and / or Ystwyth Valleys or even of the Elan Valley Reservoirs if you wish. It will be a gentle meander around little used back roads with some fabulous views, or we can take you across some very open country along some of North Ceredigions unsurfaced roads.

The Internal Fire – Museum of Power is a museum of internal combustion engines in West Wales. The museum’s collection is mostly of larger stationary diesel engines, as used for generating sets and pumping stations. This fascinating Museum is based in Cardigan Bay, south of the Railway.

At the northern end of Aberystwyth promenade, Constitution Hill rises dramatically from the sea, providing spectacular and uninterrupted views of the town, Cardigan Bay, and on a clear day 26 mountain peaks spanning much of the length of Wales. The most relaxing way to enjoy this majestic panorama is to travel by train on the longest funicular electric cliff railway in Britain, which has been transporting visitors to the summit since opening in 1896.

Borth Wild Animal Kingdom is a small Zoo in Mid Wales, near Aberystwyth, offering unwanted Zoo animals and exotic pets a new home. There are lots of attractions and daily activities for visitors to enjoy.

“Aberystwyth Cricket Club is always ready to welcome new members. The only qualification required is an interest, and even better, a passion for cricket. Ability is secondary to interest and commitment. We have two weekend teams, playing in the West Wales Cricket Club Conference in addition to a mid-week team playing in the Aberystwyth & District Cricket League – evening cricket. A thriving junior section is always ready to welcome new players and in 2022 there is a brand-new Ladies Section where new players can join. Great facilities include a clubhouse, bar, large car park and brand-new Nets Facilities. Defibrillator on site.”

The Dyfi Osprey Project is one of Montgomeryshire Wildlife Trust’s flagship projects based on our Cors Dyfi Reserve near Machynlleth on the west coast of mid Wales.

Aberystwyth is home to Wales’s most vibrant arts centre in a magnificent setting with stunning views over Cardigan Bay. With a lively, all year round theatre, dance, music and film programme, the Centre also includes galleries with ever-changing contemporary art exhibitions plus international festivals, courses and workshops, as well as popular cafes, bars, craftshop and bookshop.

A little piece of heaven, high in the Cambrian Mountains with an attractive Visitor Centre and cafe. Highlights include, stunning views, the lakeside all-ability trail, a choice of waymarked scenic walks; world class mountain biking routes plus adventure play areas and animal puzzle trail. Visitors can also enjoy the spectacular daily Red Kite feeding session.

Located in an original Edwardian Theatre, described as ‘probably the most beautiful museum in Britain’, the region’s rich history is depicted in collections of Welsh costume, art and artefacts relating to the county’s farming, seafaring, industrial and domestic heritage. Highlights include a reconstructed 19th century cottage and barn and Welsh textiles display.

Located at the foot of the magnificent Elan Valley lakes, reservoirs and dam system, the centre is an excellent base for exploring the 72 square mile estate in the heart of the Cambrian Mountains and dramatic scenery. Open all year, it is a favourite with visitors and features educational and interpretation exhibitions, a cafe and shop.

This rare example of a self-sufficient 18th-century Welsh minor gentry estate with house, walled gardens and home farm has survived virtually unaltered. The villa, designed in the 1790s, is the most complete example of the early work of John Nash. It has its own service courtyard with dairy, laundry, brewery and salting house, and walled kitchen gardens (with all its produce for sale when in season). The pleasure grounds and ornamental lake and parkland provide peaceful walks. The Home Farm complex has an impressive range of traditional, atmospheric outbuildings and is a working organic farm with Welsh Black cattle, Llanwenog sheep and rare Welsh pigs.

With over 4 million printed volumes and rare books, the Library includes world class collections of Wales, Welsh-language and Celtic material, including art. Visitors welcome for library tours and a variety of seasonal and permanent exhibitions in the extensive galleries; the cafe and shop and stunning views over the town.

Welsh jeweller Rhiannon Evans has been designing beautiful Celtic jewelry for over 40 years. Her unique jewellery is made by Welsh speaking goldsmiths and visitors can watch their work in progress in the purpose built viewing workshops. The centre also includes a museum of Celtic Art; cafe; art gallery plus a delightful craft gift shop.

Strata Florida was a significant 12th century Cistercian abbey and an important Welsh cultural centre. Its enterprising monks established large-scale sheep farming and created trade routes across the mountains. Today the peaceful site houses a new interpretation centre, including poems by Gwyneth Lewis, to help visitors understand the ruins of this once magnificent abbey.

Strata Florida was a significant 12th century Cistercian abbey and an important Welsh cultural centre. Its enterprising monks established large-scale sheep farming and created trade routes across the mountains. Today the peaceful site houses a new interpretation centre, including poems by Gwyneth Lewis, to help visitors understand the ruins of this once magnificent abbey.

Fabulous, award-winning Spanish-Welsh deli-restaurant featuring fine range of artisan produce and one of the best selections of local Welsh cheeses anywhere. Also serving moreish tapas, delicious lunches in the popular tapas bar area with its informal atmosphere, together with a great selection of wines and beers. Bookings advised for the evening!

‘A Summer Night on the Tiles’ – a heritage mosaic tour. Learn about the mosaics of Aberystwyth town centre through a walking tour, Q and A, conversation, tile nibbling and a bit of history!

‘Past Presences’ Has been developed to raise awareness of the sculptures and statues within the town of Aberystwyth.