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Aberystwyth

Wales, United Kingdom · Europe

About Aberystwyth

Aberystwyth works well as a base: 10 minutes from Bow Street, 24km from Cwmystwyth Mountain Road.

Aberystwyth is a town located in Wales, United Kingdom. With a population of 18,749, it is an important destination in Europe.

On a road trip, Aberystwyth sits in United Kingdom, where you drive on the left. It's in the Europe/London time zone. Below you'll find where to stay, things to do nearby, and everything you need to add Aberystwyth to your route.

About Aberystwyth

Aberystwyth (; Welsh: [abɛˈrəstʊɨθ] ) is a university and seaside town and a community in Ceredigion, Wales. It is the largest town in Ceredigion and 16 miles (26 km) from Aberaeron, the county's other administrative centre. In 2021, the population of the town was 14,640. Located in the historic county of

Read more Cardiganshire, Aberystwyth means "the mouth of the Ystwyth". It has been a major educational location in Wales since the establishment of University College Wales, now Aberystwyth University, in 1872. In 2025, Aberystwyth became a UNESCO City of Literature becoming the first Welsh place and sixth in the United Kingdom to receive the title and joining more than 50 other cities across the planet. The town is situated on Cardigan Bay on the west coast of Wales, near the confluence of the River Ystwyth and Afon Rheidol. Following the reconstruction of the harbour, the Ystwyth skirts the town. The Rheidol passes through the town. The seafront, with a pier, stretches from Constitution Hill at the north end of the Promenade to the harbour at the south. The beach is divided by the castle. The town is divided into five areas: Aberystwyth Town; Llanbadarn Fawr; Waunfawr; Trefechan; and Penparcau.

Read more on Wikipedia

Where to Stay in Aberystwyth

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Frequently Asked Questions

What are the best things to do in Aberystwyth?

Aberystwyth offers many attractions including tourist sites, museums, parks, and local restaurants. Explore famous landmarks, scenic roads, and natural wonders on our interactive map and plan your visit.

How do I plan a road trip to Aberystwyth?

Plan your road trip to Aberystwyth with Plan Your Road Trips! Add Aberystwyth as a destination, and we'll help you find the best route and discover more amazing places along the way.

Where is Aberystwyth located?

Aberystwyth is located in Wales, United Kingdom, Europe. The coordinates are 52.4155 latitude, -4.0829 longitude.

What is the population of Aberystwyth?

Aberystwyth has a population of approximately 18,749 people, making it a town in United Kingdom.

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Quick Information

Population
18,749
Continent
Europe
Country
United Kingdom
Region
Wales
Timezone
Europe/London
Coordinates
52.4155, -4.0829

Emergency & Services

Essential numbers in United Kingdom

Police
999
Ambulance
999
Fire
999
Non-emergency police
101
Driving side
left

112 also works. NHS non-emergency medical advice: 111. National Highways breakdown assistance on motorways: 0300 123 5000.

Full driving guide for United Kingdom

Tags

EuropeUnited KingdomWalesTown

Worth the detour from Aberystwyth

8 notable places within an hour's drive.

waterfall

Devil's Bridge Falls

Dramatic series of waterfalls plunging through a deep wooded gorge spanned by three bridges built on top of each other across eight centuries.

17 km · about 20 min drive

cafe

Devils Bridge Falls & Biker Stop

A scenic biker destination in mid-Wales where riders gather after tackling the spectacular mountain roads around Aberystwyth.

17 km · about 20 min drive

cafe

Devil's Bridge Tea Rooms

A charming tea room perched above the dramatic Devil's Bridge waterfalls in mid-Wales, a classic stop on scenic Welsh driving routes.

17 km · about 20 min drive

famous road

Cwmystwyth Mountain Road

Wild, lonely mountain road from Rhayader to Aberystwyth over the Cambrian Mountains, passing the Elan Valley dams and old lead mines of Cwmystwyth. Often called one of Britain's remotest drives.

24 km · about 25 min drive

mountain pass

Abergwesyn Pass (Devil's Staircase)

Remote 16-mile single-track mountain road from Abergwesyn to Tregaron over the Cambrian Desert, its Devil's Staircase section stacking hairpins at 20%+ gradients. One of the emptiest drives in Britain. No fuel, little signal.

36 km · about 40 min drive

landmark

Elan Valley

Chain of Victorian dams and reservoirs built to supply Birmingham, their stone spillways thundering after rain, linked by a superb driving road through mid-Wales moorland. International Dark Sky Park with red kites overhead.

38 km · about 45 min drive

landmark

Portmeirion

Fantastical Italianate village on the shores of Cardigan Bay, designed by Sir Clough Williams-Ellis and famous as the setting of The Prisoner.

46 km · about 55 min drive

castle

Harlech Castle

Mighty concentric fortress built by Edward I in the 1280s, perched on a dramatic crag with sweeping views across Cardigan Bay to Snowdonia.

49 km · about 55 min drive

Driving roads near Aberystwyth

  • 24 kmCwmystwyth Mountain RoadWild, lonely mountain road from Rhayader to Aberystwyth over the Cambrian Mountains, passing the Elan Valley dams and old lead mines of Cwmystwyth. Often called one of Britain's remotest drives.
  • 36 kmAbergwesyn Pass (Devil's Staircase)Remote 16-mile single-track mountain road from Abergwesyn to Tregaron over the Cambrian Desert, its Devil's Staircase section stacking hairpins at 20%+ gradients. One of the emptiest drives in Britain. No fuel, little signal.
  • 65 kmAberglaslyn PassA gorgeous wooded gorge where road, river and steam railway thread beneath steep crags near Beddgelert.
  • 67 kmBlack Mountain Pass (A4069)Exhilarating mountain road through the Brecon Beacons, a favourite of motoring programmes and often called the best driving road in Wales.
  • 67 kmCrimea PassThe A470's dramatic 385m crossing between Dolwyddelan and Blaenau Ffestiniog, threading slate-strewn peaks at the heart of Eryri. One of the highest and most scenic main-road passes in Wales.
  • 71 kmPen-y-Pass Viewpoint (Snowdonia)The starting point for Snowdon summit trails at 359 metres, with views down the Llanberis Pass flanked by towering slate mountains.

Driving in United Kingdom

Drives on
the left
Petrol
~€1.73/litre
Motorway tolls
None

When to drive here

April to October

Nearby Destinations

Other places to explore near Aberystwyth.

Penparcau

🇬🇧 United Kingdom

1 km awayPop. 3,088

Bow Street

🇬🇧 United Kingdom

5 km awayPop. 1,572

Llanilar

🇬🇧 United Kingdom

8 km awayPop. 1,085

Borth

🇬🇧 United Kingdom

8 km awayPop. 1,269

Lledrod

🇬🇧 United Kingdom

15 km away

Tywyn

🇬🇧 United Kingdom

19 km awayPop. 3,097

Aberaeron

🇬🇧 United Kingdom

23 km awayPop. 1,422

Tregaron

🇬🇧 United Kingdom

24 km awayPop. 1,213

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Data sources:GeoNames (CC BY 4.0)•Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA)•Mapbox•Photography: George Lawrence