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Aberaeron

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Aberaeron is small coastal town 15 miles south of Aberystwyth that has a very pretty stone harbour area surrounded by colourfully painted houses (see photos 1 and 2).

Click for a map of Aberaeron. See this site's map page for details on printing the map. Note that on the map:

• Top of North Road is the A487 for Aberystwyth.
• Bottom of North Road on the map (which is actually Bridge Street) is the A487 for Cardigan.
• South Road is the A482 to Lampeter.

Tourist Information

The phone number for the Tourist Information Centre is: 01545 570602. The Centre itself is by the entrance to the harbour on Pen Cei (Quay Parade).

For more information on Aberaeron try the BBCi website.

Information last reviewed: 11th/7/06.

Parking

Unless otherwise stated the car parks are pay and display from Easter to the end of October, free for the rest of the year. The main car parks are:

• Half way along Regent Street (free).
• End of Regent Street by the promenade.
• By the harbour on Market Street (free).
• End of Wellington Street by the beach.

Information last reviewed: 11th/7/06.

Aberaeron Coastal Voyages

Coastal sea trips of various lengths. The boat is quite large (but a little noisy) and leaves from just outside the Tourist Information Centre (see above). I took my daughter on a one-hour trip when she was five and a half and she really enjoyed the adventure. We visited the cliffs to see the birds, looked at other sites of local interest and the local ecology was explained to us. If you are lucky you will also see porpoises or dolphins, and seals.

For more details on the "Sea Voyages" phone 01545 570142.

Information last reviewed: 11th/7/06.

Beaches

There are beaches either side of the harbour and both consist of large pebbles. Even as very small children our daughters enjoyed looking for different colours and patterns in the stones, piling them up and chucking them into the sea.

Information last reviewed: 11th/7/06.

Walks

There are pleasant walks around the harbour and along the promenade towards Regent Street. See also the river walk in "Parks and Playgrounds" below. All of these are fine with a small wheeled buggy.

Information last reviewed: 11th/7/06.

Parks and Playgrounds

• Sgwa(n) Alban (Alban Square). Grass playing field and playground. The playground is small, not enclosed, but well maintained and is better for kids older than 3.
• The best way to get to the second playground is to cross the harbour road bridge on Bridge Street (marked as North Road on the map) going out of town. Immediately after crossing, turn down a path (buggy friendly) running along the river away from the sea. Cross the little footbridge further down the river. Here is a grass playing area and small enclosed playground. This is well maintained and has something for children of all ages. The road exit brings you out on South Road opposite the Memorial Hall.
  
  The river footbridge is a good place to look for fish and there are always ducks to feed nearby.

Information last reviewed: 11th/7/06.

Shops and Eating

The shopping area is compact and is situated:

• Along Bridge Street and Alban Square (marked as North Road on the map) from the harbour bridge to Regent Street.
• Down the side of Sgwa(n) Alban (Alban Square).
• Market Street.
• There is a really nice craft centre behind the church that is by the harbour road bridge.

There are two small supermarkets, a chemist, banks, gift shops, newsagents etc.

There are cafes and restaurants in the main shopping area, we usually use the "Celtic" on Market Street and "Y Llond Plat" on Alban Square (marked as North Road on the map) at the junction with Regent Street. The honey ice cream shop by the harbour is a particular treat.

Information last reviewed: 11th/7/06.

Toilets

• Promenade car park at the sea end of Regent Street. Quite basic.
• Castle Lane. Very basic.
• Next to the Tourist Information Centre. Best in town but still basic.
• Beach Parade (not always open). Very basic.

Information last reviewed: 11th/7/06.

Other Attractions in the Area

Fantasy Farm Park

My daughters have enjoyed this attraction since they were toddlers. There are lots of things to do for children of all ages including an indoor soft-play area, outdoor playgrounds, ride-on toys, go-carts, boats and a barn of animals to visit. There is a new cafe and gift shop and an ice rink is under construction.

To get to the park take the A487 to Llanrhystud, which is seven miles from Aberaeron towards Aberystwyth. In Llanrhystud take the B4337 towards Lampeter. The farm park is two miles along the road on the right.

For more information on the "Fantasy Farm Park" phone 01974 272285.

Information last reviewed: 11th/7/06.

Dolaucothi Gold Mines

This National Trust site is in fact about 20 miles inland from Aberaeron, in the middle of nowhere. I took my eldest daughter there when she was six. We had a great time on a long underground guided tour of the mine tunnels. The tunnels are quite cramped and dark so we had hard hats and torches. After this we went gold panning and found loads of fools gold. There is a real chance of finding natural real gold while panning here.

The site has a children's room with things to colour and Roman clothes to try (there are Roman mine workings on site). There is also a small cafe and shop.

On the opposite side of the road from the mine's car park is a nice buggy friendly walk through the woods and along the river.

To get to the mine take the A482 from Aberaeron to Lampeter. After Lampeter stay on the A482 for a further 8 miles. The site is sign posted on your left near Pumsaint.

For more details of the mine see the National Trust's website or phone 01558 825146.

Information last reviewed: 7th/9/06.

Disclaimer: This site is based on the author's experiences with his own children and therefore the advice may not be applicable to other children. The comments provided are the author's own opinions and should be treated as such. The author does not accept any responsibility for any damage, loss or injury resulting from the use of this site.