If Birmingham had a beach, there’d be no good reason to leave, but if my grandmother had wheels… There’s no easy way around the fact that coastal getaways from the Second City will always take time and effort. That’s why when we head on a beach trip, it had better be worth it, and Aberystwyth is.
A direct train from New Street to Aberystwyth in three hours. From the station, it’s a five-minute walk to the iconic seafront. In many ways, Aberystwyth’s North Beach is a quintessential seaside sight—with sandy shores, donkey rides, a bandstand, and the oldest pier in Wales (opened in 1865).
Follow the Victorian promenade towards Constitution Hill and take the Grade II listed Cliff Railway up. At the top, you can find the largest camera obscura in the UK. With a 14-inch lens and a 360-degree view of over 1,000 square miles, think of it as a sort of Victoria CCTV, using light to project an image of the surrounding land and sea in real-time.
Is there another beach in Aberystwyth?
While North Beach attracts all the tourists, Aberystwyth’s Seaside Award-winning (the nationwide standard for the best beaches in the UK), South Beach shouldn’t be overlooked. Tucked between a ruinous castle and the harbour, it’s much quieter and a favourite for surfers and dolphin-spotters.
Keep heading south along the shingled, and you’ll find an even quieter, even more sweeping Tan Y Bwlch Beach, which sits beside the Bronze Age burial mound and Iron Age Hillfort, Pen Dinas. Personally, I’d stick to South Beach, however, as it’s located much closer to the town.
What else is there to do in Aberystwyth?
Aberystwyth isn’t all about its beaches. There’s plenty of family-friendly fun to be had. Hop aboard a historic steam train at the Vale of Rheidol Railway, learn about the area’s rich heritage at the Ceredigion Museum, or visit the Aberystwyth Arts Centre for a range of events and activities.