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Help please! Things to do around Aberystwyth with teenagers

24 replies

Monr0e · 03/01/2022 09:40

Short version, my lovely mum has booked a cottage around 30 minutes from Aberystwyth for us to stay in. There will be 2 16 year olds and 2 12 year olds. We had been looking in the Anglesey / Snowdonia area however she has now booked mid Wales and I'm struggling finding things to with the kids. We will have a car so can drive out but don't want to have to go too far every day. We will also have a very nervous dog with us who we can't leave behind so need to take that into account also. Thank you

OP posts:
BunnyRuddington · 03/01/2022 09:47

There are some great beaches with lifeguards if they like bodyboarding or surfing. Mwnt is often in lists of best beaches but no lifeguards there abs it's definitely not commercialised so if they don't like bodyboarding or surfing, there's not a lot else there.

DellaPorter · 03/01/2022 09:50

Is this now, or in the summer?
There are escape rooms at silver mountain. Swimming pool. Little cinema at Tywyn.

Lots of sea and rivers for swimming, body boarding etc

pisspants · 03/01/2022 09:54

there is a cinema/arts centre at the uni which is worth having a look at to see what's on whilst you are there.
There's a beautiful train line going up the coast to Pwhelli which could be something to do as well. The trains are not many but you could get off somewhere on route and spend a bit of time there before returning back, not sure the dog would be allowed though.

mumonthehill · 03/01/2022 09:58

New Quay has great boat trips to see the dolphins so worth a look. Aberaeron has some great places to eat and fab honey ice cream. If you are 30 minutes south then look at kayaking from Cardigan on the river.

Shadowboy · 03/01/2022 10:00

Is this for now or in the summer?

Abet has a cinema. There is also ynyslas sand dunes/beach.
You can go up on the funicular railway. There are companies in the area that do kayaking etc. Go to devils bridge waterfall?

DellaPorter · 03/01/2022 10:00

www.freedom-leisure.co.uk/centres/bro-ddyfi-leisure-centre/swimming-at-bro-ddyfi/ As Plascrug in Aberystwyth currently closed.

The Centre for Alternative Technology and King Arthur's Labyrinth are also in that area.

There is a pier and amusements in Aberystwyth.

Talyllyn railway allows dogs (train is pricey though) and has Free railway museum and nice cafe.

DellaPorter · 03/01/2022 10:02

Depending where you are exactly, Bala might be within reach (outdoor centre does sailing and kayaking etc on the lake)

itrytomakemyway · 03/01/2022 10:02

I have not been for years - but the Centre for Alternative Technology on Machynllech was always a really good day out. Dogs are welcome too.

M4857493 · 03/01/2022 10:03

Devil's Bridge Falls, Pontarfynach. Nant Y Arian is nice for a walk around, or bike. National Library of Wales. The train up the hill, no idea what it's called but don't think anyone has been to Aber without doing that!

M4857493 · 03/01/2022 10:04

Oh and Borth is nice for Sandy beach and sand dunes, Aber is a pebble beach.

M4857493 · 03/01/2022 10:05

Actually I meant Ynyslas as above which is a bit further than Borth I think, although double check it's accessible as I think they closed it off due to snakes last year?

DellaPorter · 03/01/2022 10:24

And also - a wild swimming place (waterfalls) at Afon Rheidol - take the road that goes past the magic butterfly house up the valley - you drive along the river until the road stops and becomes footpath only. Can park there, there is a little beach. Need wetsuits.

Monr0e · 03/01/2022 10:28

Brilliant, thank you

It is in July, sorry, should have said

Hopefully more than enough to keep them occupied then Smile

OP posts:
DellaPorter · 03/01/2022 10:36

Take wetsuits, body boards, some kind of floating thing (little boat) though for river only, inflatable not safe for the sea.
A camping stove also good, can make soup, hot chocolate etc - bit of an adventure.

DellaPorter · 03/01/2022 10:38

Silver mountain tours are good though maybe 16 yos might be a bit bored. Nice cafe for smoothies.

There is a Wetherspoons In Aberystwyth and various shops like home bargains

DellaPorter · 03/01/2022 10:39

Lots of beaches don't allow dogs in the summer. Aberdyfi for eg which is a shame as nice beach

PeonyAndSweetpea · 03/01/2022 10:43

A lot depends on whether you are 39mins north south or east of Aber!

Loads of good suggestions on here. The castle in Aber is good especially in winter ....you look out across the sea and get a real sense of how isolated it would have been. The cliff railway is brilliant - quick game of mini golf up the top. There is a camera obscura too and you can also do a nice cliff top walk toward Borth.

Further afield (south of Aber) you've got Dolaucothi Gold mines best Pumsant (it's NT) - the site of Roman gold mines / there are caves to go down and you can pan for gold which is a bit of a laugh.

North of Aber is the Centre for Alternative Technology at Machynlleth - fab place and well worth a visit. Lovely veggie and vegan food too.

Aberaeron is a beautiful Georgian harbour town just down the coast ....the beach is huge stones. Ice cream from the Hive on the Quay is a must (hopefully still open, not been able to get over due to Covid). Just up the road is Llanerchaeron (NT) a Georgian house set in a wooded valley. From there head to New Quay - take a trip out into the bay to look for dolphins.

Pontarfynach is a must.....the bridges alone are worth a look. You can walk round.....Jacob's ladder can be a challenge depending on your fitness/mobility. You can get the steam railway from Aber to Devil's Bridhe (or vice versa) and spend a couple of hours looking around.

There is the Cors Caron nature reserve at Tregaron - a huge wetland and big (paths are accessible). Then a quick look round the Welsh Gold Centre -she has some beautiful gold and silver pieces and a lunch by a roaring fire at Y Talbot in the market Square. If you're feeling brave (the road is narrow and windy) then take the mountain road out if Tregaron towards Abergwesyn ....it's an old drovers trail and the scenery is stunning.

mid Wales is a stunning part of the country - hope you enjoy it!

BunnyRuddington · 03/01/2022 14:40

That's a good point about checking which beaches that you can take the dog on before you go.

BleuJay · 03/01/2022 15:01

Vale of Rheidol. Mine were aged 15 and 13 at the time and loved it.

Monr0e · 03/01/2022 16:36

Fantastic, thank you

OP posts:
southern82 · 03/01/2022 16:53

What about the zip lining at Zip World? Dogs are allowed as I took mine. Not sure if its classed as north wales though

TinselTroels · 03/01/2022 16:58

Kin Arthurs Labyrinth at Corris, Machynllech. there's lots of arts and crafts shops around it and a cafe and the Labyrinth is above and below ground, my teen loved it. You need to book.

TinselTroels · 03/01/2022 16:59

That was supposed to be King Arthur.

Vastime · 03/01/2022 17:39

Check out the 'Kids Activities' section on this guide:
www.aberystwythguide.org.uk/aberystwyth_tourism.shtml#Kids

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