Aberystwyth
is situated on the West Coast of Wales, in the centre of Cardigan Bay. The
town nestles between three hills, and bravely faces seaward in a colourful
curved terrace of three and four storey Victorian hotels and boarding houses. 
Pendinas hill to the south, Constitution Hill to the North, and Penglais
Hill to the east, There are two shingle beaches, a lively but truncated
pier, a picturesque harbour / marina that has been dramatically remodelled
to provide permanent berths for over 100 vessels, and on the headland between
the harbour and town beach are the remains of the late 13th Century Aberystwyth
Castle.
The rugged slopes of Constitution Hill (430 ft) have a zig zag path to the
summit where you can recuperate in a small cafe' and visit the Camera Obscura
for fine views of the bay, but for the less energetic there is the Cliff
Railway, built in 1896 and still travelling up and down its steep track.
Pendinas hill has visible remains of an ironage hill fort of about 600 BC.
and a monument to the Duke of Wellington. While to the east Penglais Hill
hosts the solemn looking National Library of Wales and the University College
including an Arts Centre.
The National Library holds more than three million printed works, forty
thousand manuscripts, and four million deeds, 
as well as holding works of art, photographs and audio visual material.
The town of Aberystwyth is a University town as well as a seaside resort,
and many of the buildings reflect this in their style and function. Many
of the Victorian seafront hotels have been taken over as accommodation for
the University students and this helps to extend the nightlife of the town
past the usual short summer season. Indeed there are close to 50 pubs in
the town, many having been completely refurbished and styled to suit both
the holiday makers and the student population.
Aberystwyth Castle stands impressively on a rocky outcrop or headland
between the new marina and the town.
But Aberystwyth has more to offer than being a seaside town. Beside the
rugged coastline there is the dramatic scenery of the Rheidol Valley. The
Valley extends from the mouth of the Afon (River) Rheidol ( in Aberystwyth)
several miles inland to Devil's Bridge.
From here you can follow the Rheidol to its source at
Llyn (Lake) Nant y Moch, a massive reservoir in the shadow of Plynlimon
Fawr (752m), one of the Cambrian range of mountains.
You have several options to view the lush scenery of the Rheidol Valley.....take
the cycle route (approximately 12 miles to Devil's Bridge), walk the valley
if you are feeling energetic, or let the train take the strain. The Vale
of Rheidol narrow gauge railway, departs from the train station in the
centre of Aberystwyth and continues for 11¾ miles until it reaches
Devil's Bridge. From Devil's Bridge you again have several options to view
what is on offer including the Devil's Punchbowl, a raging torrent of water
passing below Devil's Bridge, or Mynach Falls and Jacob's Ladder.
For Mountain Bike enthusiasts there are the Syfydrin (35km), Summit (16km),
and Pendam (9km) trails in the Nant y Arian Forest located between the lower
Rheidol valley and the Nant y Moch reservoir. The rugged tracks are carved
into the steep valleys and ridges of the forest to create challenging routes
for even the more experienced Mountain Bikers.
Scroll down the page for a few snapshots of Aberystwyth where you will
find plenty of things to do and places to see in Aberystwyth, Wales.
At www.walesdirectory.co.uk you are able to find the top attractions in
Wales and then make an instant online room reservation close to the attraction.
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