94-581: Pontrhydfendigaid ( Welsh pronunciation: [pɔntˌr̥idvɛnˈdiɡai̯d] ) is a village in Ceredigion , Wales. It lies on the western flank of the Cambrian Mountains , between Devil's Bridge and Tregaron . The village lies on the River Teifi , whose source is just 3 miles (5 km) to the east at Llyn Teifi. The community of Ystrad Fflur , which Pontrhydfendigaid makes most of the population of, had
188-455: A minor kingdom which occupied approximately the area of the county in the fifth century AD. The contemporary county has the same borders as Cardiganshire, which was established in 1282 by the English king Edward I after his conquest of Wales . In the 18th and early 19th centuries, the county was more industrialised than it is today; lead , silver and zinc were mined in the area, and Cardigan
282-599: A Victorian theme park . Chief engineer George Croydon Marks designed all the AIC developments, including the United Kingdom's second longest funicular railway, which takes passengers up a 50% gradient to a park and camera obscura. Aberystwyth hosted the National Eisteddfod in 1865, 1916, 1952 and 1992. On the night of Friday, 14 January 1938, a storm with estimated wind speeds of up to 90 mph (140 km/h) struck
376-618: A collection of oral history interviews with people from Ceredigion during the 1960s and 1970s. The recordings were archived, digitised, catalogued and made available during the Unlocking Our Sound Heritage project at the National Library of Wales . Aberystwyth 52°24′50″N 4°04′52″W / 52.414°N 4.081°W / 52.414; -4.081 Aberystwyth ( / ˌ æ b ə ˈ r ɪ s t w ɪ θ / ; Welsh: [abɛˈrəstʊɨθ] )
470-542: A hotel but, following bankruptcy, was sold cheaply to the Welsh National University Committee, a group of people dedicated to the creation of a Welsh University. The University College of Wales (later to become Aberystwyth University) was founded in 1872 in this building. Aberystwyth was a contributory parliamentary borough until the Third Reform Act , which merged its representation into that of
564-510: A maximum of 25.1 °C (77.2 °F) or above. The absolute minimum temperature is −13.5 °C (7.7 °F), set in January 2010. Typically 39.8 days will register an air frost. Rainfall averages 1,112 mm (44 in) a year, with over 1mm recorded on 161 days. All averages refer to the 1981–2010 period. There is evidence that during the Mesolithic Age the area of Tan-y-Bwlch at
658-860: A new Customs House constructed in 1828. Rural industries and craftsmen were also an important part of life in this country town. The local trade directory for 1830 shows that there were in Aberystwyth: Twenty boot makers, eight bakers, two corn millers , eleven carpenters and joiners, one cooper , seven tailors, two dressmakers , two straw hat makers, two hat makers , three curriers , four saddlers , two tinsmiths , six maltsters , two skinners, four tanners , eight stonemasons , one brewer , four lime burners , three shipwrights , three wheelwrights , five cabinet makers , one nail maker, one rope maker and one sail maker . The Cambrian Railways line from Machynlleth reached Aberystwyth in 1864, closely followed by rail links to Carmarthen , which resulted in
752-575: A permanent presence of bottlenose dolphins . Another member of the fauna is the red kite ; these may be seen in various localities in the county, but at the Red Kite Feeding Centre near Tregaron, they are fed each day, and large numbers congregate along with hungry crows and other birds. Between 1991 and 2003 Ceredigion had the largest population growth of any county in Wales, with a 19.5% increase. Tourism and agriculture, chiefly hill farming, are
846-508: A population of 18,749 in 2011. Aberystwyth experiences an oceanic climate ( Köppen climate classification Cfb ) similar to almost all of the United Kingdom. This is particularly pronounced due to its west coast location facing the Irish Sea. Air undergoes little land moderation and so temperatures closely reflect the sea temperature when winds are coming from the predominant onshore (westerly) direction. The nearest Met Office weather station
940-461: A population of 71,500; the latter is a decline of 4,492 since the 2011 census . After Aberystwyth (15,935), the largest towns are Cardigan (4,184) and Lampeter (2,970). Ceredigion is considered a centre of Welsh culture and 45.3% of the population could speak the Welsh language at the 2021 census. To the west, Ceredigion has 50 miles (80 km) of coastline on Cardigan Bay , which is traversed by
1034-542: A population of 712 as of 2011 census. The ruins of the Cistercian Strata Florida Abbey are 1 mile south-east of the village. The abbey was founded 1164; the poet Dafydd ap Gwilym is traditionally said to be buried there and Llywelyn the Great held a council there. The station at Strata Florida was positioned to serve the village. The hillfort of Pen y Bannau is 1 km east of the village. The village
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#17330859518871128-726: A series of rapids near Llandysul where canoeing, kayaking and white water rafting take place. The county's main football team, Aberystwyth Town in the Cymru Premier , play their home matches at Park Avenue Stadium . Cardigan Town Football Club, also known as the "Magpies", play in Division 1 of the Ceredigion League. The Cambrian Line provides main line railway services between Aberystwyth , Shrewsbury and Birmingham , where passengers can join services for London and elsewhere. Passengers can change at Dovey Junction for trains along
1222-438: A whole was 95.2% Welsh-speaking and 74.5% monoglot Welsh. Although the town remained majority Welsh-speaking for many more decades, English had already replaced Welsh in certain domains, such as entertainment and tourism. By 1961, only 50.0% of the town's population could speak Welsh, compared to 79.5% for Cardiganshire as a whole; by 1971, these numbers had fallen to 44.9% and 67.6% respectively. The 2001 census reported that, in
1316-512: Is Gogerddan , 3 miles to the northeast, and at a similar elevation. The absolute maximum temperature is 34.6 °C (94.3 °F), set during July 2006. This is also the July record maximum for all of Wales, suggesting that the area's low lying situation, aided by a possible föhn effect when winds are offshore can act to achieve high temperatures on occasion. Typically the warmest day will average 28.0 °C (82.4 °F) and 5.6 days will achieve
1410-641: Is Bryan Davies of Plaid Cymru . The entire county is a Senedd constituency , with its Member of the Senedd being Elin Jones (Plaid Cymru) for the Ceredigion constituency . At Westminster, all of Ceredigion is in the Ceredigion Preseli constituency since 2024, replacing Ceredigion . With Ben Lake (Plaid Cymru) being re-elected as the Member of Parliament in the 2024 election . Farming has traditionally been
1504-552: Is a county in the west of Wales . It borders Gwynedd across the Dyfi estuary to the north, Powys to the east, Carmarthenshire and Pembrokeshire to the south, and the Irish Sea to the west. Aberystwyth is the largest settlement and, together with Aberaeron , is an administrative centre of Ceredigion County Council . The county is the second most sparsely populated in Wales, with an area of 688 square miles (1,780 km ) and
1598-518: Is a university and seaside town and a community in Ceredigion , Wales . It is the largest town in Ceredigion and 16 miles (26 km) from Aberaeron , the county's other administrative centre. In 2021, the population of the town was 14,640. Located in the historic county of Cardiganshire , Aberystwyth means "the mouth of the Ystwyth ". It has been a major educational location in Wales since
1692-636: Is a coastal county, bordered by Cardigan Bay to the west, Gwynedd to the north, Powys to the east, Carmarthenshire to the south and Pembrokeshire to the south-west. Its area is 1,795 square kilometres (693 sq mi). In 2010 the population was 76,938, making it the second most sparsely populated county in Wales. The main settlements are Aberaeron , Aberporth , Aberystwyth , Borth , Cardigan , Lampeter , Llanarth , Llanddewi Brefi , Llandysul , Llanilar , Llanrhystud , Llanon , New Quay , and Tregaron . The largest of these are Aberystwyth and Cardigan. The Cambrian Mountains cover much of
1786-401: Is based on the village football club. In the novel The Discovery of Heaven by Dutch author Harry Mulisch , the village is the place where the characters Mr and Mrs Spiers spend their holidays. The Beast of Bont is the name given to a big cat said to roam the area centred on Pontrhydfendigaid. (Y Bont is the local abbreviation and colloquial name for Pontrhydfendigaid.) It was blamed for
1880-479: Is being developed as West Wales Airport for domestic flights within Wales and the rest of the United Kingdom . The airport is also developing as a centre for the deployment of civil and military unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), also known as 'drones'. The airport underwent major improvements in 2008, which extended the length of the runway from 945 to 1,257 m (3,100 to 4,124 ft). Ceredigion Library has
1974-598: Is home to an annual eisteddfod , the Eisteddfod Pantyfedwen , or colloquially the "Steddfod Bont". Concerts and other events are also held in the modern multi-purpose Pavilion here. A Celtic Music Society is based at the village's Black Lion Hotel. The village was the birthplace and home of Caradog Jones , the first Welshman to reach the summit of Mount Everest . It is in the Community of Ystrad Fflur . The village takes its name from an old ford ( rhyd ) across
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#17330859518872068-586: Is rich in archaeological remains such as forts, earthworks and standing stones. Historic sites that can be accessed include Aberystwyth Castle and Cardigan Castle , as well as Strata Florida Abbey . Other visitor attractions include the Cwmystwyth Mines , Llywernog Mine , Devil's Bridge , the Bwlch Nant yr Arian Forest Visitor Centre, Elvis Rock , Cors Caron (Tregaron bog), the Vale of Rheidol Railway , and
2162-409: Is the closest to the general public; there are 19 elected town councillors from five wards. The last elections were held in 2022. The council is responsible for cycle paths , public footpaths , CCTV , public Wi-Fi , bus shelters , parks, gardens (including the castle grounds and the skateboard park) and allotments . The council is a statutory body which is consulted regarding planning decisions in
2256-500: Is the main medium of communication within the organisation; it aims to deliver all public services in Welsh and English. Aberystwyth Arts Centre is one of the largest and busiest arts centres in Wales. It encompasses a 312-seat theatre, 900-seat concert hall, 125-seat cinema, and has accompanied studio, galleries, plus public spaces which include cafes and a bar. Arad Goch is an Arts Council funded community theatre and art gallery based in
2350-476: The Aberystwyth Cliff Railway . Leisure activities available in the county include beach activities, rambling, cycling, sea fishing, canoeing, sailing and horse riding. Many of the towns and villages along the coast have small harbours and facilities for sailing, dolphin watching and other maritime activities. The Ceredigion Coast Path from Cardigan to Ynyslas runs about 60 miles (97 km) along
2444-561: The Afon Mynach in a 300 feet (91 m) plunge at the Devil's Bridge chasm. The largest river is the River Teifi which forms the border with Carmarthenshire and Pembrokeshire for part of its length. The towns of Lampeter, Llandysul, Newcastle Emlyn and Cardigan are all in the Teifi Valley, and each has communities on each side of the river, in different counties. Other significant rivers include
2538-764: The Cambrian Coast Line to Pwllheli . There are no motorways in Ceredigion; the nearest is the western end of the M4 motorway at Pont Abraham , near Pontarddulais in Carmarthenshire . The Fishguard to Bangor trunk road , the A487 , travels in a north-east direction following the coast from Cardigan to New Quay , through Aberaeron and Aberystwyth . The A44 travels eastwards from Aberystwyth to Llangurig , before turning south then east through Rhayader , Leominster and Worcester . There are local bus services between
2632-524: The Ceredigion Coast Path . Its hinterland is hilly and rises to the Cambrian Mountains in the east, where the highest point is Plynlimon at 752 metres (2,467 ft). The mountains are the source of the county's main rivers: the Rheidol , Ystwyth , Aeron and Teifi ; the last of these is Ceredigion's boundary with Carmarthenshire and Pembrokeshire for most of its length. Ceredigion is named after
2726-610: The Ceredigion Museum in the town, he probably dates from the English Civil War period, and is likely to have died during the Parliamentarian siege. His image is featured in one of nine mosaics created to adorn the castle's walls. The development of Aberystwyth's Port contributed to the town’s economic development during the late 18th and early 19th centuries. Port improvements were carried out in both 1780 and 1836, with
2820-684: The House of Commons . Since June 2017, Aberystwyth's MP has been Plaid Cymru 's Ben Lake . The first ever public library in Aberystwyth was opened in Compton House, Pier Street on 13 October 1874. In 1882 the library was moved to the Assembly Rooms which were leased to the council for 21 years. The lease expired in 1903 and the library returned to Pier Street, this time to the Old Banking Library at
2914-507: The Norman invasion of Ireland ). Gilbert Fitz Richard was granted lands and the lordship of Cardigan by Henry I , including Cardigan Castle . The fortress built in Aberystwyth was located about a mile and a half south of today's town, on a hill over the south bank of the Ystwyth River, thus giving the settlement of Aberystwyth its name. The location is now known as Tan-Y-Castell. Aberystwyth
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3008-584: The Old College has a triptych of mosaic murals designed by Charles Vosey . Aberystwyth has a live music scene which has produced bands and artists such as The Crocketts , The Hot Puppies , Murry the Hump and The Lowland Hundred. The University Music Centre promotes a varied programme for instrumentalists, singers and listeners from the university and the wider community. The University chamber choir, The Elizabethan Madrigal Singers , have been singing in
3102-580: The River Aeron which has its estuary at Aberaeron , and the River Ystwyth and the River Rheidol both of which reach the sea in Aberystwyth harbour . Ceredigion's 50 miles (80 km) of coastline has sandy beaches. In 2011 Ceredigion's beaches were awarded five Blue Flag Awards , four Green Coast Awards , and fourteen Seaside Awards . Ceredigion is one of only two places in the United Kingdom with
3196-607: The 2011 census. Since the town's growth as a seaside resort in the Victorian era, it has been more anglicised than its hinterland and the rest of the county in general. The university has also attracted many English-speaking students from England, non-Welsh speaking parts of Wales and elsewhere. The 1891 census recorded that, of the 6635 inhabitants who completed the language section, 3482 (52.5%) were bilingual, 1751 (26.4%) were Welsh monoglots, and 1402 people (21.1%) were returned as English monoglots. Ceredigion (then named Cardiganshire) as
3290-401: The 42 councillors in five separate wards (Bronglais, Central, North and Rheidol wards elect one councillor each while Penparcau ward elects two). Aberystwyth has five Senedd members, one of whom ( Elin Jones ) was elected as a constituency MS for Ceredigion , and four who are elected on the regional list for Mid and West Wales . The town is in the Ceredigion constituency for elections to
3384-645: The Ancient and Historical Monuments of Wales maintains and curates the National Monuments Record of Wales (NMRW), providing the public with information about the built heritage of Wales. Aberystwyth is also the home to the national offices of UCAC and Cymdeithas yr Iaith Gymraeg (Welsh Language Society), and the site of the Institute of Grassland and Environmental Research , the Welsh Books Council and
3478-539: The Church in Wales. Further local government reform under the Local Government (Wales) Act 1994 saw the area become a unitary authority on 1 April 1996. The 1994 act specified that the reformed council was to have both a Welsh and an English name: Sir Aberteifi / Cardiganshire. Before the new arrangements came into force the incoming council resolved to change the name to Ceredigion in both languages. The government agreed
3572-482: The Irish Sea. In the 19th century, many of the rural poor emigrated to the New World from Cardigan, between five and six thousand leaving the town between 1790 and 1860. Aberystwyth became the main centre for the export of lead and Aberaeron and Newquay did brisk coastal trade. The building of the railway from Shrewsbury in the 1860s encouraged visitors, and hotels sprang up in the town to accommodate them. This area of
3666-491: The Promenade to the harbour at the south. The beach is divided by the castle. The town is divided into five areas: Aberystwyth Town; Llanbadarn Fawr ; Waunfawr; Trefechan; and Penparcau . Aberystwyth is a university town and tourist destination, and forms a cultural link between North Wales and South Wales . Constitution Hill, scaled by the Aberystwyth Cliff Railway , gives access to panoramic views and to other attractions at
3760-606: The Teifi and a bridge ( pont ) that was later built there. It is on the B4343 road between Tregaron to the south and Pontarfynach to the north, around 13 miles (21 km) to the south-east of Aberystwyth . The abbey was an important centre of learning, and it is believed that one of the earliest versions of the Brut y Tywysogion was made there. It is believed that the TV programme C'mon Midffild!
3854-539: The United States, Canada, Patagonia and Australia. Furthermore, the owners of the great landed estates, who had for so long dominated the politics of the county, were in many cases heavily in debt. This led to the loss of landowner influence in the running of the county; this became very apparent at the first elections to the Cardiganshire County Council in 1889. By the second half of the 20th century,
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3948-482: The Welsh. His castle was, however, built in a different location, at the current Castle Hill, the high point of the town. Between the years 1404 and 1408 Aberystwyth Castle was in the hands of Owain Glyndŵr but finally surrendered to Prince Harry (the future King Henry V of England ). Shortly after this, the town was incorporated under the title of Ville de Lampadarn (the ancient name of the place being Llanbadarn Gaerog or
4042-452: The abbey and Llanbadarn Fawr were important monastic sites of scholarship and education. Place names including ysbyty denote their association with pilgrims. In 1282, Edward I of England conquered the principality of Wales and divided the area into counties. One of thirteen traditional counties in Wales . Cardiganshire was split into the five hundreds of Genau'r-Glyn, Ilar, Moyddyn, Penarth and Troedyraur. Much later, Cardiganshire
4136-465: The basis of Cardiganshire's economy, with dairying and stock-rearing being the main occupations. Before the first railway was built in 1866, the stock used to be herded over the mountains to England, where Rugby , Northampton and London were important destinations. At one time there was a sizeable mining industry in Cardiganshire, but the reserves of lead, silver and zinc became unprofitable to mine by
4230-463: The building's refurbishment in 2012. The National Library of Wales, Aberystwyth, is the national legal deposit library of Wales. Established in 1907, it is a Welsh Government sponsored body . According to Cyril Evans, the library's centenary events co-ordinator, "The library is considered to be one of the world's greatest libraries, and its international reputation is certainly something that all Welsh men and women are intensely ... proud of". Welsh
4324-540: The capital of Welsh culture. The National Library of Wales is at Aberystwyth and there is information on local history at the Ceredigion Museum . There is a technical museum Internal Fire – Museum of Power , which is at Tan-y-groes near the coast road. Stately homes in the county open to the public include the Hafod Estate and Llanerchaeron . It is home to the Aberystwyth Arts Centre . The county
4418-495: The centres of Methodism in Wales; the Aeron Valley was at the centre of the revival. Cardigan was one of the major ports of southern Wales until its harbour silted in the mid-19th century. The Industrial Revolution passed by, not much affecting the area. In the uplands, wheeled vehicles were rare in the 18th century, and horses and sleds were still being used for transport. On the coast, herrings and corn were traded across
4512-401: The change of name, which took effect on 2 April 1996, one day after the new authority formally came into being. A referendum was held on 20 May 2004 on whether to have a directly elected mayor for the county, which would have been the first in Wales. The Llais Ceredigion political initiative had been formed with this aim, but the proposal was rejected. As of 2024, the council leader
4606-485: The coast with spectacular scenery. It can conveniently be divided into seven sections. When Dylan Thomas lived in New Quay and Talsarn, he frequented Aberaeron and Lampeter. The Dylan Thomas Trail links places associated with him. The Welsh Government's Visit Wales website describes the River Teifi as "one of the major game rivers of Wales," although there has been concern that salmon stocks are in decline. There are
4700-447: The construction of the town's impressive station. The Cambrian line opened on Good Friday 1869, the same day that the new 292 metres (958 ft) Royal Pier (designed by Eugenius Birch ) opened, attracting 7,000 visitors. The railway's arrival gave rise to something of a Victorian tourist boom, with Aberystwyth becoming a significant holiday destination for working and middle class families from South Wales in particular. The town
4794-555: The corner with Eastgate Street, although this was short lived. A Carnegie library was built in Aberystwyth in 1905, with a grant of £3,000. Located in Corporation Street, it was designed by the architect Walter Payton of Birmingham , who was one of 48 who entered the competition to design the building. It was formally opened on 20 April 1906 by Mrs Vaughan Davies, wife of the local MP. The town library moved to Aberystwyth Town Hall , now known as Canolfan Alun R. Edwards, following
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#17330859518874888-588: The county and there are many standing stones dating back to the Bronze Age . Around the time of the Roman invasion of Britain , the area was between the realms of the Demetae and Ordovices . The Sarn Helen road ran through the territory, with forts at Bremia and Loventium protecting gold mines near present-day Llanddewi Brefi . Following the Roman withdrawal , Irish raids and invasions were repulsed, supposedly by
4982-757: The county in 1885. In 1895, various businessmen who had been behind the Aberystwyth New Harbour Company formed the Aberystwyth Improvement Company (AIC) to take over the works of the defunct Bourne Engineering & Electrical. In 1896, the AIC completed three projects: the new landside pavilion for the Royal Pier; built the Cambria Hotel (later the United Theological College ) and formed Constitution Hill Ltd , to develop
5076-519: The county of Dyfed became a district of Wales under the name Ceredigion in 1974 under the Local Government Act 1972 , and since 1996, has formed the county of Ceredigion. According to the 2021 census 45.3% of the population can speak Welsh , the third highest proportion after Gwynedd and the Isle of Anglesey . Nevertheless, this was a decline from 47.3% in 2011 and 52% in 2001. Ceredigion
5170-479: The county was governed by Cardiganshire County Council , which took over the local government functions of the quarter sessions . The county council was abolished in 1974 by the Local Government Act 1972 , with the area becoming the lower-tier district of Ceredigion within the larger county of Dyfed . Until 1974, Cardiganshire had been governed locally by civil parishes ; these in large part equated to ecclesiastical parishes , most of which still exist as part of
5264-517: The death of 12 sheep in June 1981. After a number of livestock attacks in the mid-1990s, Ministry of Agriculture veterinarians inspected a sheep carcass "and declared that the killer was a great deal more powerful than a fox or dog". The Dyfed-Powys police then searched the area, but failed to find the animal. In the spring of 2012, Mark Davey and his partner Annette came across a "sickening" scene: two large groups of slaughtered sheep, about two miles apart, in
5358-536: The early 20th century. Shipping was also important in the county, with coal and lime being imported in coastal vessels, and mineral ores and oak bark for tanning being exported. Shipbuilding was an important industry: most of Wales' sailing vessels were built in Cardiganshire. Cardiganshire had a substantial population in the early modern period, but this declined during the 19th century as wider social and economic developments affected all aspects of Cardiganshire life. Traditional industries were in decline, agriculture
5452-605: The east of the county; this large area forms part of the desert of Wales . In the south and west, the surface is less elevated. The highest point is Plynlimon (Pumlumon) at 2,467 feet (752 m), other Marilyns include Pen y Garn and Llan Ddu Fawr . On the slopes of Pumlumon five rivers have their sources: the Severn , the Wye , the Dulas , the Llyfnant and the Rheidol , the last of which meets
5546-410: The establishment of University College Wales, now Aberystwyth University , in 1872. The town is situated on Cardigan Bay on the west coast of Wales, near the confluence of the River Ystwyth and Afon Rheidol . Following the reconstruction of the harbour, the Ystwyth skirts the town. The Rheidol passes through the town. The seafront, with a pier , stretches from Constitution Hill at the north end of
5640-418: The foot of Pen Dinas ( Penparcau ) was used as a flint knapping floor for hunter-gatherers making weapons from flint that was deposited as the ice retreated. The remains of a Celtic fortress on Pen Dinas (or more correctly 'Dinas Maelor'), a hill in Penparcau overlooking Aberystwyth, indicates that the site was inhabited before 700 BC. On a hill south of the present town, across the River Ystwyth, are
5734-534: The forces under a northerner named Cunedda . The 9th-century History of the Britons attributed to Nennius records that Cunedda's son Ceredig settled the area around the Teifi in the 5th century. The territory supposedly remained a minor kingdom under his dynasty until its extinction upon the drowning of Gwgon ap Meurig c. 871 , after which it was administered by Rhodri Mawr of Gwynedd before passing to his son Cadell , whose son Hywel Dda inherited its neighbouring kingdom Dyfed and established
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#17330859518875828-412: The fortified Llanbadarn, to distinguish it from Llanbadarn Fawr, the village one mile (1.6 km) inland. It is thus styled in a Royal charter granted by Henry VIII but, by Elizabeth I's time, the town was invariably named Aberystwyth in all documents. From 1639 to 1642, silver coins were minted at Aberystwyth Castle on behalf of the Royal Mint , using silver from local mines. £10,500 in currency
5922-427: The highest proportions of its population working in agriculture, forestry and fishing, close behind such other places as Orkney and Shetland . Exposed, marginal land is also used for wind farms : Cefn Croes Wind Farm near Devil's Bridge has 39 turbines and a nominal capacity of 58.5 MW. Farm incomes have been in decline over the years; and, as well as being a European Objective I area , in 2001 Ceredigion
6016-440: The hills near Devil's Bridge. In a statement to local newspapers, he reported that "something had quite clearly attacked them because they looked like they had been ripped apart" and that "to kill so many sheep in such a small area it had to be quite a strong animal". Ceredigion Ceredigion ( [kɛrɛˈdɪɡjɔn] ), historically Cardiganshire ( / ˈ k ɑː r d ɪ ɡ ə n ˌ ʃ ɪ ə r , - ʃ ə r / ),
6110-422: The main centres of population, with long distance services between Aberystwyth and Cardiff , via Aberaeron and Lampeter . A bus service known as Bwcabus operates in the south of the county, offering customised transport for rural dwellers. TrawsCymru T1 service runs between Aberystwyth and Carmarthen, with some journeys through Aberaeron and Lampeter. Aberporth Airport , located south-east of Aberporth ,
6204-473: The most important industries. In addition, two universities are within the county boundaries: Aberystwyth University and the Lampeter campus of the University of Wales, Trinity Saint David . The Welsh Plant Breeding Station is near Aberystwyth and linked to the University. The National Library of Wales , founded in 1907, is also in Aberystwyth. Ceredigion is an extremely rural county; the largest town, Aberystwyth, has fewer than 15,000 permanent residents and
6298-436: The offices of the standard historical dictionary of Welsh, Geiriadur Prifysgol Cymru . A purpose built Welsh Government office and an adjoining office of Ceredigion County Council are also located in the town. At the 2001 census, the population of the town was 15,935. This reduced to 13,040 at the 2011 census . Including neighbouring Llanbadarn Fawr , the population was 16,420, and the greater Aberystwyth conurbation had
6392-513: The population was increasing again. More retired people were arriving to make their home in the tranquil surroundings, and after the Beacham Commission in the 1960s, the British government realised that the rural way of life in parts of Wales was in crisis, and started to react. Through government initiatives and local actions, opportunities in tourism, rural crafts, specialist food shops, farmers' markets and added-value food products began to emerge. However, in 2011, at 3.1%, Ceredigion still had one of
6486-435: The realm of Deheubarth . Records are highly obscure; some historians believe that Hyfaidd ap Bledrig , the Dyfed ruler, may have annexed Ceredigion before his heirs lost it to Hywel through war. Many pilgrims passed through Cardiganshire on their way to St Davids . Some came by sea and made use of the churches at Mwnt and Penbryn , while others came by land seeking hospitality at such places as Strata Florida Abbey . Both
6580-510: The remainder of the population of the county is scattered over 150 small towns, villages and hamlets. According to the 2011 UK census the population of Ceredigion was around 75,900. By the time the 2021 UK census was taken this had fallen by 5.8% to 71,500. The county has no large commercial areas. The nearest substantial settlements are located at least 1 hour 45 minutes drive away. Approximate road distances from Ceredigion's largest town, Aberystwyth, are: Swansea , 75 miles (121 km) to
6674-424: The remains of a medieval ringfort believed to be the castle from which Princess Nest was abducted. This rare survival is now on private land and can only be accessed by arrangement. The recorded history of Aberystwyth may be said to date from the building of a fortress in 1109 by Gilbert Fitz Richard (grandfather of Richard de Clare , known as Strongbow, the Cambro-Norman lord notable for his leading role in
6768-418: The remains of the castle and the Old College of Aberystwyth University nearby. The Old College was originally built and opened in 1865 as a hotel, but after the owner's bankruptcy the shell of the building was sold to the university in 1867. The new university campus overlooks Aberystwyth from Penglais Hill to the east of the town centre. The station , a terminus of the main railway, was built in 1924 in
6862-643: The seven wards of Aberystwyth, 39% of the residents self-identified as able to speak or read or write Welsh. This is lower than Ceredigion as a whole (54%) but higher than Wales overall (19%). Aberystwyth parish church is St Michael's and All Angels , located in Laura Place . The parish was a Rectoral Benefice until 2019, incorporating the Anglican churches of Holy Trinity, Santes Fair (services in Welsh) and Saint Anne's, Penparcau. The Rectoral Benefice has now been converted to
6956-634: The south; Shrewsbury , 76 miles (122 km) to the east, in the English county of Shropshire ; and Wrexham , 82 miles (132 km) to the northeast. The capital, Cardiff , is over 100 miles (160 km) from most parts of the county. Although Ceredigion and Gwynedd share a boundary, it is not possible to travel directly between the two by land as all road and rail links avoid the Dyfi estuary and pass through Dyfi Junction or Machynlleth in Powys. Between 1889 and 1974,
7050-429: The summit, including a camera obscura . Scenic Mid Wales landscape within easy reach of the town includes the wilderness of the Cambrian Mountains , whose valleys contain forests and meadows which have changed little in centuries. A convenient way to access the interior is by the preserved narrow-gauge Vale of Rheidol Railway . Although the town is relatively modern, there are a number of historic buildings, including
7144-493: The town area and makes recommendations to the planning authority, Ceredigion County Council. The Town Council is also involved in leisure , tourism, business (through providing more than half of Menter Aberystwyth's funding in grants), licence applications , wellbeing and environmental health , recycling and refuse collection . A borough council existed in Aberystwyth from 1832 and the Aberystwyth School Board
7238-469: The town came through Thomas Jenkins of Aberystwyth, who ran a shipping business. Jenkins was a frequent visitor to Italy where he admired Rutelli’s work. Jo Darke, in her work, The Monument Guide to England and Wales: A National Portrait in Bronze and Stone , describes Rutelli’s war memorial as “striking and rare” and suggests that the life-size statue of Edward VIII is the only recorded example. The tower of
7332-642: The town had banned the film (as some authorities did) when it was first released. During the aftermath storms from Cyclone Dirk on Friday 3 January 2014, the town was one of the worst hit in Wales. Properties on the adjoining promenade were then evacuated for the next five days, including 250 students from the University. Ceredigion Council appealed to the Welsh Assembly Government for funds, whilst Natural Resources Wales undertook surveys and emergency preventative measures. North Parade, Aberystwyth
7426-498: The town since 1950 and continue to hold a number of concerts throughout the year. Aberystwyth gives its name to a well known hymn tune composed by Joseph Parry . Aberystwyth RFC is the local rugby union club and acts as a feeder club to professional side Scarlets . It was formed in 1947 and for the 2017/18 season played in the WRU Division One West . Aberystwyth Town F.C. is a semi-professional football club that
7520-651: The town. Most of the promenade was destroyed, along with 200 feet (60 m) of the pier. Many properties on the seafront were damaged, with every property from the King's Hall north affected; those on Victoria Terrace suffered the greatest damage. Work commenced on a protective coffer dam which continued into 1940, with total costs of construction coming to £70,000 (equivalent to £2.5 million today). Cymdeithas yr Iaith Gymraeg (Welsh Language Society) held their historic first protest on Trefechan Bridge in Aberystwyth, on 2 February 1963. The first independent Welsh Evangelical Church
7614-574: The town. The premises holds a theatre, gallery, several art studios and meeting rooms, and a darkroom. The town has three works by the Italian sculptor Mario Rutelli ; the War Memorial on the promenade, the Tabernacle Chapel Memorial on Powell Street, and the statue of Edward VIII as Prince of Wales in the Old College . All are Grade II listed structures . Rutelli’s connection with
7708-498: The typical style of the period, mainly in a mix of Gothic , Classical Revival , and Victorian architecture. The town is the unofficial capital of Mid Wales, and several institutions have regional or national offices there. Public bodies located in the town include the National Library of Wales , which incorporates the National Screen and Sound Archive of Wales , one of six British regional film archives. The Royal Commission on
7802-569: Was designated a regional "Tourist growth area" by the Wales Tourist Board . There is little industry other than farming, so tourism plays an important part in the county's economy. Visitors stay in hotels, guest houses and homes offering bed-and-breakfast, self-catering cottages, caravans and camp sites; they spend money in local shops, dine in local establishments and visit the county's many attractions. Ceredigion prides itself on offering an unspoilt natural landscape, and Aberystwyth claims to be
7896-425: Was designated as a vice-county . Pen-y-wenallt was home to 17th century theologian and author, Theophilus Evans . In the 18th century there was an evangelical revival of Christianity, and nonconformism became established in the county as charismatic preachers like Daniel Rowland of Llangeitho attracted large congregations. Every community built its own chapel or meeting house, and Cardiganshire became one of
7990-428: Was established in 1870. Ceredigion County Council is another statutory body incorporated by Act of Parliament . It is the second tier of local government in the area and is a unitary authority with a wide range of powers and responsibility. The Council deals with roads (except trunk roads), street lighting, some highways, social services, children and family care, schools and public libraries. Aberystwyth elects six of
8084-438: Was established in Aberystwyth (see Evangelical Movement of Wales ). On 1 March 2005, Aberystwyth was granted Fairtrade Town status. In March 2009 mayor Sue Jones-Davies , who had played the role of Judith Iscariot in the film Monty Python's Life of Brian (1979), organised a charity screening of the film. Principal actors Terry Jones and Michael Palin also attended. There is a popular, but incorrect, urban myth that
8178-472: Was formed in 1884. The team currently compete in the Cymru Premier , Wales' top division. The town also has a cricket club which plays in local leagues, an athletics club (founded 1955), and boxing club in Penparcau. The town's golf course opened in 1911. Ceredigion, the county in which Aberystwyth is located, is one of the four most Welsh-speaking counties in Wales and remained majority Welsh speaking until
8272-425: Was in decline and it was becoming increasingly difficult for a still-rising population to earn a living within their native parishes and communities. By the first half of the 20th century, falling livestock prices and greater international competition made farming unprofitable. Many residents of Cardiganshire moved to other parts of South Wales, where there were better employment opportunities, and many more emigrated to
8366-474: Was once even billed as the "Biarritz of Wales". During this time, a number of hotels and fine townhouses were built including the Queens Hotel, later renamed Swyddfa'r Sir (County Office) when used as offices by the town council, and most recently used as the external scenes of the police station in the television show Hinterland . One of the largest of these hotels, "The Castle Hotel", was never completed as
8460-457: Was produced, equivalent to 2.5 million silver pennies . In 1649, Parliamentarian troops razed the castle, although portions of three towers still exist. In 1988, an excavation within the castle area revealed a complete male skeleton, deliberately buried. Though skeletons rarely survive in Wales' acidic soil, this skeleton was probably preserved by the addition of lime from the collapsed building. Affectionately known as "Charlie" and now housed in
8554-505: Was reported to be the most expensive street in Wales in 2018, based on property prices. Penglais Nature Park ( Welsh : Parc Natur Penglais ) is a woodland overlooking the town. The park was created in 1995 from a disused quarry and surrounding woodland that had formerly been part of the Richardes family estate. In spring a carpet of bluebells bloom, in common with the many other bluebell woods . The park covers 27 acres (11 ha). It
8648-474: Was the first Nature reserve to open in Ceredigion and is the only UNESCO Man and Biosphere urban reserve in Wales. Aberystwyth's local government administration has a two-tier structure consisting of two separate councils. As local government is a devolved matter in Wales, the legislation for both Councils is a responsibility of the Senedd . Aberystwyth Town Council is the first tier of local government, which
8742-560: Was the largest port in South Wales. The economy later became highly dependent on dairy farming , but is diversifying into areas such as tourism as farming becomes less profitable. The county is home to the National Library of Wales , Aberystwyth University , and the Lampeter campus of University of Wales Trinity St David . Ceredigion has been inhabited since prehistoric times. A total of 170 hill forts and enclosures have been identified across
8836-483: Was usually under the control of the princes of Deheubarth , but its position close to the border with Gwynedd and Powys left it vulnerable to attacks from the leaders of those polities. The town was attacked by Gwenwynwyn ab Owain in 1197, an assault in which Maelgwn ap Rhys was captured. Llywelyn the Great attacked and seized the town in late 1208, building a castle there before withdrawing. Edward I replaced Strongbow's castle in 1277, after its destruction by
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