Cardigan attractions, attractions, cardigan bay, cardigan island, cardigan island farm, Cardigan Bay Cardiganshire - information on accommodation, attractions and festivals. Food festivals, festivals of walking, Lampeter food festival and Caridgan Food Festival. Cardigan Town Guides and Aberaeron Town Guides and New Quay town guides. Whats on in Cardiganshire, Ceredigion. Cardigan island, Cardigan Farm Park, Cardigan Island farm park, cardigan island farm, Cardigan Island Farm Park Cardigan Bay Attraction
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Cardiganshire Coast and Country

Cardigan West Wales

Cardigan West Wales, Ancient market town on the Teifi estuary; home of the first Eisteddfod and start of the Pembrokeshire Coastal 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 castle of Cardigan. 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 the Town 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 Market in the Guildhall The Heritage Centre on the river and Theatre Mwldan and Art Gallery

A programme to refurbish its many fine Georgian and Victorian buildings is well underway.

The battle to bring the Castle into public ownership is now being fought. Watch our Home page notice board for up to date information.

Emigration to the USA and Canada.Cardigan Island at the mouth of the River Teifi

The Port of Cardigan became an important point of emigration to North America. 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.

Exploring the 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 Tourist Information Centre or The Cardigan Heritage Centre.
 

Walking Pembrokeshire Coastal Path
 

The Pembrokeshire Coastal Path begins / ends at Poppit Sands Cardigan

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 planned Cardiganshire / Ceredigion Coastal path. Many sections are already open and the walk from Cardigan to Mwnt can be made into a circular walk [details online shortly]
Soon you will be able to walk the whole of Cardigan Bay!

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
Cardigan Open Studios in August
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

Don’t Miss

The Indoor Market
Bike hire and cycle around Caridgan
Heritage Centre
Mwldan Theatre and art gallery

Many artists around Cardigan have studios which you can visit all year through, as well as during Cardigan Open Studios Week.
Please follow the links from the Cardigan Open Studios Pages

 

Other Town Guides on this site:
Aberystwyth Aberaeron Lampeter New Quay


Links

Cardigan Chamber of Commerce Website
Cardigan History Town Trail

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