Strewn along the coastline and nestling between three green hills is Aberystwyth, a bustling little university town in Wales. With its colourful Victorian townhouses strewn along the seaside promenade, it is an incredibly picturesque place and one that is steeped in history. The ideal destination for a romantic weekend away, you will be swept off your feet by the wild and raw beauty of its hills, the haunting nature of the ruins and the understated charm of the way-of-life - boasting some amazing gourmet restaurants, second-hand bookshops and classy fashionista boutiques. The best places to stay in Aberystwyth are often small charming spots with an authentic feel.
From the summit of Pen Dinas, an Iron Age hill-fort, you can see Cardigan Bay sweep before your feet. The site is a lovely hiking spot and provides fantastic panoramic views of both Aberystwyth, the surrounding countryside and coastline. But it also shows the sheer depth of the town's roots. Being in a prime location - Aberystwyth Castle, built by the Norman king Edward I in the early 12th century, was once the architectural envy of Wales. Sadly, it is now a ruin, but its imposing structure remains.
The town itself is quite beautiful. The mile-long seaside promenade, lined with pastel-coloured Victorian townhouses, is undeniably picturesque - seemingly pulled from an Edwardian seaside postcard. Further in-town are a whole host of vintage stores, secondhand-bookstores, Celtic jewellers and fashion boutiques. There are also a great many bars in Aberystwyth, over 50 in fact, an impressive variety of microbrewers and a good collection of old-fashioned oakwood pubs.
Aberystwyth is also the beating heart of Welsh culture and language, recognised widely as a "flagship" for the British arts community, with shows like Hinterland being filmed there. It is easy to see why. The landscape is lush and unspoilt, with the surrounding hills being ideal for long walks. The town lies near to Snowdon - the largest mountain in Wales - but for a gentler excursion, consider climbing Constitution Hill: with the world's largest Camera Obscura, from the summit you gain a 1000-mile bird's eye view of the surrounding landscape. If you don't fancy the long trek, take the Aberystwyth Electric Cliff Railway, which trundles up the hill and across the cliffs, providing gorgeous views of Cardigan Bay.
This is not a huge town and there is equally not a huge amount of accommodation so to ensure you bag a spot at one of the best places to stay in Aberystwyth we recommend booking well in advance.
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Aberystwyth (Aberystwyth)
A boutique seaside hotel with a strong sense of Welsh identity and impressive sea views. Traditional stone walls sit alongside contemporary fittings. A laid backed restaurant serves up excellent local food. Perfectly situated to make the most of this corner of Wales.
Aberystwyth (Rhydyfelin)
This magnificent Georgian house, surrounded by glorious woodland, feels like the backdrop to an Austen novel. A modern revamp has resulted in the creation of a stunning hotel with superb restaurant that mixes historic charm with contemporary luxury.
