The stunning UK seaside town that rivals Brighton but without the crowds

Step back into a place where Victorian charm meets the coast, offering peace, history, and plenty of things to see and do.

This Victorian seaside town is also a buzzing university spot, but without the packed crowds of Brighton.

This hidden gem sits proudly on Cardigan Bay on Wales’s west coast. TripAdvisor describes its famous promenade, over a mile long, as: "It is fantastic to walk along and is about a good mile in length, lots to see and do.

Photo © Ian Capper (cc-by-sa/2.0)

Aberystwyth is also a dream for food lovers, with Visit Wales describing it as having "plenty of choice for every taste and budget."

Coast magazine calls it "a charming mix of old-fashioned shop fronts, foodie restaurants and friendly bars."

"Ultracomida, a brilliant Spanish/Welsh deli and tapas bar, has warmth and atmosphere in spades. Or try Banera on Bath Street (Bañera meaning ‘bath’ in Spanish). Here, cocktails and a big wine list are the stars of the show."

A visit to Aberystwyth isn’t complete without walking the prom – or jogging if you’re keen. Its seafront is home to Wales’s oldest pier, built in 1864.

From here you get great views, but the very best views come from the top of Constitution Hill at the end of North Beach.

Photo © David Dixon (cc-by-sa/2.0)

At 430 feet high, Constitution Hill is also where you’ll find the world’s largest Camera Obscura, giving 360-degree views over 1,000 square miles of Aberystwyth and beyond.

You can get to the top by the Aberystwyth Cliff Railway, the longest of its kind in Britain, which is a hit with all ages. Autumn and winter visitors may also catch the incredible starling murmurations over the promenade.

Other highlights nearby include Pen Dinas Hill, where you’ll find the remains of an Iron Age hillfort and the 1850s monument to the first Duke of Wellington.

Aberystwyth Castle, built in the 13th century by the English to defend against the Welsh, is another must-see. It was constructed at the same time as the castles at Flint, Rhuddlan and Builth Wells.

The town is easy to reach, with Aberystwyth station just five minutes from the centre. Drivers can also get there along the A487 and A44 main roads.

Remember - LeaveNoTrace!

As with anywhere outdoors, kindly keep these areas pristine and wild by taking all trash with you. The amount of complaints we have seen since the pandemic is crazy. It's really not that hard to take your rubbish with you!

Litter tends to spread, so if you see any and are able to pick it up and dispose of it outside the hidden gem, it will help keep the area tidy.

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