Cardigan Town and Cardigan Castle

Cardigan West Wales, Ancient market town on the River Teifi estuary, home of the first Welsh Eisteddfod and start of both the Pembrokeshire Coastal Path and Ceredigion Coast Path.

The market town of Cardigan is an essential stop on your visit to Cardigan Bay. The slow pace of change in this part of Wales has helped preserve the 19th character and charm of this ancient town.

The narrow streets, traditional shops, inns and eating places many with their original Georgian and Victorian fronts help create a unique visitor experience.

History of Cardigan

In 1093 the Norman Roger de Montgomery established the town and Cardigan castle. In 1176 the rebuilt castle became the site of the first competitive Eisteddfod. From the Middle Ages Cardigan became a major trading port and ship building area and was one of the most important ports of emigration to North America.

In 1816 there were over 300 sailing vessels registered at the port and more than 200 ships were built at its five shipyards. Following the arrival of the railway and road improvements, sea transport became un-competitive. The rapid silting of the river finally sealed its decline as a port.

Today Cardigan provides a traditional shopping and cultural centre for local residents and visitors to West Wales. You will find the traditional Butcher and Baker and Grocery shops plus specialists for local arts and crafts, sports and fishing and much more.

Don't forget to visit the Cardigan Market in the Guildhall The Heritage Centre on the river and Theatre Mwldan and Art Gallery

Emigration to the USA and Canada.

The Port of Cardigan became an important point of emigration to North America from Cardiganshire. Ships such as The Active and The Albion crossed the Atlantic to take Welsh people to a new life in New Brunswick Canada. Whist in the 1840's the brig Triton took many emigrants to New York and other US ports. The family of Americas most famous Architect Frank Lloyd Wright took the short journey from Llandysul to Cardigan to sail to the USA. More information at 'Over The Waves' Cardigan Maritime History Project

Exploring Cardigan Town

For a fascinating and informative do it yourself tour of the Town pick up your FREE copy of the Cardigan Town Trail at the Cardigan Tourist Information Centre Tel:01239 613230 E-Mail cardiganTIC@ceredigion.gov.uk which is situated in the entrance to Theatr Mwldan, or The Cardigan Heritage Centre.

Walking Ceredigion Coastal Path

See the Walking pages on this site for more information on walking around Cardigan Bay.

Cardigan is the main town at the northern end of the Pembrokeshire coastal path. There is a regular bus service from Finch Square to the start of the walk at Poppit Sands. It is also the southern start of the new Cardiganshire / Ceredigion Coastal path. The walk from Cardigan to Mwnt can be made into a circular walk and the beaches of Mwnt and Poppit Sands are a short distance away.

Cycle route from Cardigan to Llangrannog

Cardigan Festivals and Events:

Cardigan has many special events throughout the year including: Livestock market every Monday
Film festival in January
Barley Saturday in April
Sea Trout Challenge in June
Gwyl Fawr (The famous Cardigan Eisteddfod) in June/July
Agricultural Show in July
The River and Food Festival in August
Outdoor Shakespeare Festival in July/August
St. Dogmaels Regatta in August
Carnival Day in August
Festival of Walking in October
Cardigan Fair in November
Victorian night in December

For more details of these and other events around Cardigan see the Events page on this site