NOW GO THERE
Where to eat, sleep, walk and wildlife-watch along the sweep of Cardigan Bay, by
1 Cae Du Farm Holidays Near Rhoslefain
Choose between camping in front of panoramic views or self-catering accommodation on this sheep and beef farm. 01654 711234, caedufarmholidays.co.uk
2 Blaenwaun Caravan Park Mwnt
With Mwnt Beach on your doorstep, you can sit by your tent or caravan and look out across Cardigan Bay to watch the spectacular sunsets. 01239 613456, blaenwaunfarm.com
PLACES TO EAT 3 The Café on the Quay Fishguard
Drop into Fishguard to sample some of the fine crab sandwiches, followed by delicious coffee and ice cream made in Pembrokeshire. 01348 872866
4 The Harbourmaster Hotel Aberaeron
A hub for gourmands – the seafood risotto comes highly recommended. 01545 570755, harbour-master.com
5 The Hive Aberaeron
Sink your teeth into a succulent burger made with Welsh beef (vegetarian options are available). 01545 570445, thehiveaberaeron.com
6 Cadwaladers Criccieth
Head to Criccieth for Cadwaladers’ delicious ice cream, made to a secret family recipe. 01766 523665, cadwaladers.co.uk
7 Ultracomida Aberystwyth
Cosmopolitan and convivial, Ultracomida is a Spanish deli and restaurant on Pier Street, a stone’s throw from the sea. 01970 630686, bit.ly/2svk2Y6
UNMISSABLE WILDLIFE EXPERIENCES
Safe here from orcas and sharks, some 200 bottlenose dolphins use Cardigan Bay for feeding, socialising and raising their young. At New Quay you can join researchers and volunteers on boat-trips that provide a humbling view of the coast. In early summer the cliffs are alive with razorbills, kittiwakes and guillemots and in autumn the pebble coves are nurseries for seal-pups. You’re almost guaranteed to see bottlenose dolphins cruising or feeding in the turbulent waters off Ynys Lochtyn. Top off your trip with a visit to the Cardigan Bay Marine Wildlife Centre to find out more about life in the bay.
8 Dolphin Survey Boat Trips 01545 560032, dolphinsurveyboattrips.co.uk 9 Cardigan Bay Marine Wildlife Centre 01656 724100, cbmwc.org THREE SPECTACULAR COASTAL WALKS 10 Ceibwr to Cardigan 9 miles
This moderately challenging walk takes in some of the most dramatic rocks in the bay, beginning at Ceibwr before ascending the bay’s highest cliffs at Pen Yr Afr. The views are spectacular and as you round the Pen Cemaes headland near Poppit Sands you have a good chance of seeing Atlantic grey seals by peering, carefully, to the rocky beaches below.
11 Llangrannog to Cwmtydu 5 miles
Starting from the colourful village of Llangrannog, you pass the Ynys Lochtyn headland – a popular feeding place for bottlenose dolphins and harbour porpoises – and join a dramatic stretch of path cut into the hillside. After that it hairpins into tiny Cwmtydu where you can take a lovely wooded route back to Llangrannog, if you want to make it circular.
12 Rhiw to Aberdaron 6 miles
One of the most remote and peaceful stretches of coast runs from the former manganese mining village of Rhiw through the gentle green farmland and hills of the Llyn before finally arriving in Aberdaron via the lush Daron Valley. Expect high, rolling sea cliffs with expansive views both across the bay and inland.