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Mwnt is 4 miles north of Cardigan
and is a sheltered sandy cove, owned by the National
Trust.
This popular beach is off the beaten track but can still get busy in
the height of summer. The steep steps leading to the beach make it
unsuitable for pushchairs or wheelchairs.
The
seaside village of Llangrannog
lies on the coast of Ceredigion, in a narrow valley which the river
Hawen makes its rapid way into Cardigan Bay. Another small stream, Nant
Eisteddfa flows into the sea, but is mostly hidden and emerges as an
outfall near the boat ramp. In the lower part, the valley is so steep
as to form a virtual ravine, the river Hawen falling at one point as a
waterfall. The village is spread along the valley, the older
settlement, including the church, being above the waterfall, hidden
from view of the sea .The lower or Beach village was built in later,
safer years and for many years was a small flourishing commercial port."
The above is an extract from "The Story of
Llangrannog", by Mervyn Davies, published by E.L. Jones & Sons,
Cardigan.
Llangrannog has a sheltered
sandy beach known as 'Traeth y Pentref' (the village beach). It has a
distinctive large rock on the shore's edge called 'Carreg Bica' which
according to legend was once a giant's tooth. At low tide, you can walk
past the rock to the hidden sandy cove of Cilborth. There is also a
cliff path leading from the village to Cilborth which is not affected
by the tide.
Although several miles to the north of the
village of Cil-y-cwm, the building of the Llyn Brianne Dam had
many subsequent and profound effects - not only on the inhabitants of
the Upper Towi Valley, but also on the lifeline of the Valley, namely
the fishing in the River Towi. Llyn Brianne reservoir was originally
built to satisfy the growing demands of heavy industry in and around
Swansea for water, notably the tin plate works at Felindre and a
smelting plant at Llansamlet. Ironically, both these have since closed
down and water from Llyn Brianne which is surplus to the Swansea area's
needs now goes into the general supply, quenching thirsts all the way
from Llanelli, across West and South Wales and as far East as Cardiff.
The dam, built with a clay core and rock fill, is believed to be the
highest of its type in Europe. The
Upper Towy Valley and Llyn Brianne is still one of the most beautiful
areas of Wales however and it is a haven for bird watchers, anglers,
mountain bikers and walkers. Mountain Bikers are particularly well
catered for with nearby Llanwrtyd Wells being something of a centre for
the sport with several trails commencing in the town. These include the
Mynydd Trawsnant Trail, the Irfon Forest Trail and the Esgair Dafydd
Trail,. Click here for more information on
Mountain Bike Trails near Llyn Brianne.
Lying mostly in ruins, there is a variety of remains in the area. The Abbey
Church monument is in the care of Cadw. Next
to the remains of the church is the graveyard, which is still active to this
day, with many people choosing to be buried there. It is traditionally the
burial place of the Welsh
language poet, Dafydd ap Gwilym, and a memorial to him is to be found on the site, under a
Yew tree. The yew tree is quite famous, although it was quite damaged in storms,
when it was hit by lightning. No less than eleven Princes of the House of
Dynefwr of the Welsh Royal house of Deheubarth were also buried here during the 12th and
13th Centuries. There is a stone marker in the Chapter House of the Cadw
monument (a replica for the original which is housed in a small museum)
commemorating these Princes. The only substantive structure remaining is the entrance archway, the Great
West Door to the Abbey Church, though low walls marking the extent of the church
and six subsidiary chapels remain. A modern roof (visible in the picture)
protects an area of mediaeval tiling, where one can still make out some of the
designs. Inside the small on site museum, some of these tiles have been
preserved and put on display. Probably the most well known of these is the 'Man
with the Mirror', depicting a mediaeval gentleman admiring himself in a
mirror. The remains of Strata Florida Abbey, in South Wales, are most interesting in
many points of view, more especially as the relics of a stately seminary for
learning, founded as early as the year A.D. 1164
The community of the Abbey were Cistercian monks, who soon attained great
celebrity, and acquired extensive possessions. A large library was founded by
them, which included the national records from the earliest periods, the works
of the bards and the genealogies of the Princes and great families in Wales. The
monks also compiled a valuable history of the Principality, down to the death of
Llewellyn the Great. When Edward I invaded
Wales, he burned the Abbey, but it was rebuilt A.D. 1294
New Quay
is a picturesque seaside town on the Cardigan Bay coast of West Wales. Its
golden sandy beaches and sheltered harbour make New Quay a delight to visit at
any time of year. New Quay was
once a flourishing shipbuilding centre and fishing port. The miles of secluded
coves around New Quay provided ideal hiding places in the less salubrious but
probably more profitable trade of smuggling spirits and tobacco. Today
the small local fishing and pleasure craft still come and go in the sheltered
bay. New Quay’s beaches extend in a golden arc around the bay and are ideal
for relaxing and strolling by the sea. Enjoy a walk along the front to the
end of the Quay and watch the boats sail by. Or sit in one of the cafes
overlooking the harbour and see the dolphins.
FBM Holidays, Slate House, St
Julian Street, Tenby. Pembrokeshire. SA70 7AU
Telephone:-
01834844565. Fax: -
0183484844525. Email: - info@fbmholidays.co.uk.
All photos ©
Crown copyright (2008) Visit Wales
Holidays
in Ceredigion 
