Aberystwyth

Situated in the heart of Cardigan Bay, the university town of Aberystwyth offers the visitor a selection of attractions

At the northern end of the promenade is the imposing Constitution Hill. Those who feel the need for exercise can walk to the top using the well-marked pathways, otherwise there is an electric cliff railway, the longest in Britain at 778 feet, which opened in 1896 and will take you to the summit. When you are at the top, you can enjoy the wide-reaching views of Cardigan Bay and on a clear day you can view one hundred miles of coastline and see as far as Snowdon in North Wales. Also on the top of Constitution Hill is the Camera Obscura giving panoramic views of the town and surrounding countryside. There is also a restaurant, Y Consti, providing a good range of food and drink.

At the southern end of the promenade are the harbour and the remains of Aberystwyth Castle, which dates from the 13th century.

Overlooking the town is the imposing National Library of Wales which houses a copy of every printed work published in Britain and Ireland. It also plays host to numerous exhibitions and is home to the National Screen and Sound Archive of Wales. It is well worth the uphill climb to the Library for the stunning views of Aberystwyth and the sea.

Situated behind the Library is Aberystwyth Arts Centre, which houses a theatre, a cinema, galleries, bookshops, cafs and bars. There are always various, and sometimes very diverse, exhibitions on offer; when we visited in August 2006, there was a room with forty speakers all with different sounds and voices Janet Cardiffs Forty Part Motet absolutely amazing.

Aberystwyth - Best

• Try to coincide your visit with one of Aberystwyth's Farmers' Markets situated on North Parade and stock up on Welsh cheeses and Bara Brith before going home. Visit The Foody UK & Ireland for more information on Welsh Farmers Markets [editor]
• The people of Aberystwyth are friendly and welcoming [editor]

Aberystwyth - Worst

• Some of the seafront properties are well past their best and these beautiful Victorian properties are in need of some TLC [editor]

Accommodation

Aberystwyth has a selection of hotels and guest houses to suit all tastes and pockets. When looking for accommodation, widen your search a little to include nearby villages such as Capel Bangor and Bow Street which both offer very reasonable B & B accommodation.

Top tip: Don't book online - 'phone the hotel direct and negotiate a cheaper price.

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