Discover Pentregat & Plwmp - Cardigan Bay Properties

Set just a short drive from the stunning coast of Cardigan Bay and around 7 miles south of the picturesque seaside town of New Quay, the West Wales villages of Pentregat and Plwmp are popular with house hunters.

The larger towns of Newcastle Emlyn and Llandysul are around 15 to 20 minutes away, while the historic market town of Cardigan (13 miles from Pentregat/ 14 miles from Plwmp) has everything from supermarkets to a cinema and leisure centre.

If you’re interested in buying a home, land or commercial property in the area, contact us to find out about our latest listings and how we can help you with your search. You can also read about many of the other towns and villages in West Wales in our location guides.

History

With its name deriving from the Welsh for ‘village gate’ Pentregat once had its own toll gate, although that has sadly been lost over the years. The many toll gates that existed in Wales led to the Rebecca Riots of 1839, which saw unrest due to the high tolls demanded by the Turnpike Trusts and their professional toll collectors – you can read more about the riots here.

Together with neighbouring Plwmp, these are rural villages surrounded by historic sites, some dating back to the iron age. Indeed, this part of West Wales is awash with legends of battles against the English kings and ancient magic, as well as smuggling around the secluded coves of New Quay.

Plwmp itself has a small chapel dating back to 1848, although it was rebuilt in 1858, and rebuilt again in 1897 – and it is this Classical style chapel that can be seen today.

Tourism & Recreation

Set so close to the beautiful Cardigan Bay coastline it’s no surprise that many of the sports and activities that locals choose to enjoy revolve around the beaches.

Llangrannog beach is one of the closest beaches to Pentregat (3.6 miles) and Plwmp (4.5 miles) and is popular throughout the year. Here there is a main beach and a smaller second beach, with both offering wonderful views of the clean seas where Bottlenose dolphins, seals, porpoises and other sea life thrive. You can regularly see dolphins playing in the sea!

Also close by is Cwm t ydu beach (4.1 miles from Plwmp/5.1 miles from Pentregat), a pretty, little cove that was once loved by smugglers! There’s also Penbryn beach, which is owned by the National Trust and runs for almost one mile in length, with beautiful golden sand and plenty of space for children to play.

There are lots of watersports to choose from, but surfing is one of the most popular with a choice of beaches for all abilities and lessons readily available to help you learn. If you prefer to be on a boat, Tresaith, about six miles away, is home to the Tresaith Mariners catamaran and dinghy sailing club. Alternatively, if windsurfing, kitesurfing or waterskiing are more your thing, then you’ll also find plenty of beaches to help you learn or practise your skills.

Fishing is also a popular pastime here, with miles of coastline to discover, and if you want to join a fishing club there’s the Llandysul Angling Association, which has the rights to over 30 miles of fishing on the River Teifi.

Beyond the coast there’s a wide range of outdoor and adventure sports to enjoy. The famous Ceredigion Coastal Path is great to explore, covering 60 miles of the coastline – from Cardigan in the south up to Ynyslas in the north. There are also quiet roads for road biking, and lots of tracks and bridleways for mountain biking and horse riding. You can also speak to Llandysul Paddlers, who offer a range of adventure sports such as canoeing, river swimming, canyoning and climbing, all with experienced instructors.

Cricket fans will be happy to hear there is the Llandysul Cricket Club, a friendly club which also has junior teams.

If you prefer swimming in a pool or keeping fit in a gym you’ll find both in Newcastle Emlyn, at the town’s leisure centre or at Llandysul’s leisure centre.

Other attractions in the area include the ruined castle at Newcastle Emlyn, the Internal Fire Museum of Power – the largest collection of working engines in Wales, and the Teifi Valley Railway.

Shopping

One of the charms of living in a rural community is that small, independent shops are scattered around the countryside.

In Plwmp there’s a small convenience store and Post Office, while not far away is Lewtress Natural Health, an online specialist in health foods and supplements.

About five minutes up the road from Plwmp, at Synod Inn, you’ll find the fantastic Popty Kates Bakery, which sells a delicious range of breads, cakes and other foodie items.

Just 1.7 miles from Pentregat, in Brynhoffnant, is Hoffnant Stores, a convenience store and petrol station, while about five minutes’ drive away is Bedw Farm Shop.

New Quay, around 7 miles to the north of these villages, is a seaside village that also has some lovely shops and cafes to explore. The Corner Shop is a convenience store and Post Office, and there are also gift shops, a great butcher, and even a specialist guitar shop!

Both Newcastle Emlyn and Llandysul offer a wider selection of shops. In Newcastle Emlyn you can browse shops selling everything from clothing, to fruit and the famed Cardigan Bay Brownies! In Llandysul you’ll find a Spar and a CK Foodstore, as well as a butcher, fruit shop, and an antique shop.

For major supermarkets head to Cardigan , where there’s a Tesco, Spar and Aldi, as well as major banks – Lloyds, Barclays and HSBC. Here you can also enjoy exploring the historic Guildhall Market, where there are over 50 different stalls and a coffee shop.

Eating & Drinking

West Wales has a growing reputation for great food and drinks and you’ll find a wide choice around these villages.

In Pentregat the New Inn has recently reopened after a year long renovation and restoration project, which has created a stylish new bar and restaurant. In Brynhoffnant the Y Bryn a’r Bragdy is a friendly local pub, which serves brewed-on-site craft beers, alongside wood-fired pizzas and other dishes such as burgers.

Head to the coast and there are plenty of restaurants and beach cafes. In the village of Penbryn (about 5 miles away), you can enjoy homemade cakes and savoury dishes such as soups at the Plwmp Tart.

At Llangrannog you can try the Beach Hut, a family run cafe that serves good fish and chips, coffee and other home cooked dishes, or try the Caffi Patio for fabulous ice creams! If you’re coming to the area to house hunt you could also stay at the Pentre Arms, set right on the beach at Llangrannog and offering fantastic views over Cardigan Bay.

Just over three miles away in Ffostrasol, you can enjoy good Italian cooking at La Calabria, a family run restaurant. Alternatively, try the Ffostrasol Arms, a former coaching inn that is now a popular choice for meals and events.

In New Quay there are plenty of eateries – try the New Quay Coffee Company for a choice of delicious coffees or the Blue Bell Deli & Bistro, which offers good food and great views. The pretty Georgian town of Aberaeron is also around 10 miles away. A colourful harbour town, here you’ll find some lovely cafes and restaurants to try.

Healthcare

From Pentregat and Plwmp the closest GPs surgery is at New Quay, about 7 miles away. Here there is the New Quay Surgery, located on Church Road.

Alternatively, you will also find surgeries in both Newcastle Emlyn and Llandysul. In Newcastle Emlyn – there is the Meddygfa Emlyn practice, which is open Monday to Friday from 8am to 6.30pm. In Llandysul there is the Llynyfran Surgery, which has a choice of doctors, as well as offering e-consultations for matters such as test results.

For dental care there are two dentists in Newcastle Emlyn – Emlyn Dental Care, located on Church Lane, and Teifi Dental Centre at Emlyn Square, while in Llandysul there is the Cottage Dental Practice.

For pharmacies there is the Central Pharmacy in New Quay. Alternatively in Llandysul there is a Lloyds Pharmacy, centrally located on New Road, and a Boots Pharmacy on Lincoln Street, while in Newcastle Emlyn there is a Boots Pharmacy and the Bridge Pharmacy.

We would also recommend West Wales Chiropractors in Blaenporth (about 7 miles from these villages).

If you have pets there are veterinary practices in Newcastle Emlyn – Castle House, and in Llandysul – Tysul Vets.

Schools

The closest primary school for Pentregat and Plwmp is in Brynhoffnant – the Ysgol T Llew Jones school. It has a nursery class and an after school care club

When it comes to secondary education there are schools in both Newcastle Emlyn and Llandysul, which has the purpose built combined primary and secondary school Ysgol Bro Teifi . Which school your children go to will depend on the location of the home you choose to buy.

Further education options are available in Cardigan, which has the Coleg Ceredigion. A well established college, it offers a good choice of academic and practical courses – including apprenticeships and online study options covering everything from health to childcare and information technology.

Alternatively, if you or your child are interested in a university course, Aberystwyth University is around 26 miles up the coast from these villages. This university offers both undergraduate and postgraduate courses, as well as online study options and lifelong learning courses.

For families who have a child with autism or severe learning disabilities, there is a fantastic school in Aberporth – the Canolfan y Don (about 8 miles from these villages depending where you choose to live). The team is very experienced and the facilities offer the chance for learning and development for children up to the age of 11.

Transport

Both Pentregat and Plwmp are set around the A487, which offers regular bus services to Cardigan, while other bus services to Newcastle Emlyn and Llandysul are also available – some with changes necessary. You can find out more by using this journey planner and here.

To access all of the facilities and services of the surrounding towns and villages you will need a car as the bus services aren’t very frequent and at times can be lengthy, particularly where changes are needed.

Find Out More…

Pentregat & Plwmp offer a fantastic mix of rural Welsh living and beautiful Cardigan Bay coast. Having lived and worked in the area for many years, we’re here to help you find your next home, land or commercial property in the area. Please call us on 01239 562 500 to discuss your property search.

You can also find out more about the villages of rural West Wales and Cardigan Bay on these other websites –