Aberaeron, Wales: Coastal Charm (PDF)

**ABERAERON** Aberaeron is one of Wales\'s most stylish coastal towns. It is on the Ceredigion coast and the Wales Coast Path is accessible from the town. Sited at the mouth of the river Aeron, the harbour operated as a port in the 19th century and steam ships continued to visit until the 1920\'s....

**ABERAERON** Aberaeron is one of Wales\'s most stylish coastal towns. It is on the Ceredigion coast and the Wales Coast Path is accessible from the town. Sited at the mouth of the river Aeron, the harbour operated as a port in the 19th century and steam ships continued to visit until the 1920\'s. A picture postcard feel envelops the sleepy fishing village of Aberaeron, quite literally in fact, as the Georgian architecture was deemed so picturesque that it was featured on postage stamps. What is now a quiet and quaint town that welcomes tourists was built with the intention to be a bustling seaport. Today it is a small half-tide harbour for recreational craft. The estuary is also crossed by a wooden pedestrian bridge. Aberaeron offers everything one might expect from a seaside holiday destination with shops, restaurants, beaches and a picturesque harbour. Known affectionately as the Jewel of Cardigan Bay, Aberaeron is famous for the quality of its honey (plus honey ice-cream and honey mustard produced locally) and also features prominently on the Dylan Thomas trail. It is a predominately Welsh speaking town, with some 70% of the inhabitants able to speak the language, and much of daily life in shops and businesses is conducted through the medium of Welsh here. **LOCAL HISTORY & CULTURE** Sited at the mouth of the river Aeron, the harbour was funded entirely by the Lord of the Manor, Rev. Alban Thomas Jones Gwynne from 1805. The buildings, a large proportion of which are listed and were designed by the architect Edward Haycock in an ornamental Regency style, give the town a very distinctive feel that is at odds with the vernacular architecture of much of Wales. Aberaeron\'s architectural interest does not end there however, as Llanerchaeron, designed by John Nash, is only a few miles away. The harbour operated as a port and supported a shipbuilding industry in the 19th century. Steam ships continued to visit the harbour until the 1920s. The first thing most people see when they approach Aberaeron are the charming, colourful houses adorning the town like jewels. Here\'s a place to come and relax - mooching around the harbour, exploring the independent shops and craft centres and enjoying a homemade cake and cuppa. The town is right on the Wales Coast Path and The Coastal Way. Ceredigion\'s coast is also well-known for wildlife including the famous Cardigan Bay bottlenose dolphin pods. Here\'s our short guide to things to see and do in Aberaeron and the surrounding area. Aside from the obvious perk of beautiful views across the harbour in all weathers, Y Seler is one of Aberaeron\'s best rated restaurants, with a cosy atmosphere and specialities including Carmarthenshire mussels, scallops, cod, shrimp and sea bass. The dog friendly terrace is the setting for tapas during the summer months. Fresh fish and seafood are sold by the waterside here at The Hive, while squid, crab, pulled pork and steak feature on the restaurant menu. Sweet teeth are catered for in unique style with homemade honey ice cream (including a Turkish Delight version), and you\'ll be entertained by live music at the weekend.