Discover Cwm Cou and Adpar - Cardigan Bay Properties

The villages of Cwm Cou and Adpar are ideally located close to the historic town of Newcastle Emlyn, with its shops, restaurants and amenities. Adpar itself is situated just over the bridge from Newcastle Emlyn on the Ceredigion side of the River Teifi, while Cwm Cou is just over one mile further along the B4333 from Adpar.

The historic market town of Cardigan, with its castle, is also around 10 miles from these villages, adding to the appeal of purchasing in the area.

If you’d like to discuss your property search in Cwm Cou or Adpar please get in touch with Helen or Tania. You can also read more about the other towns and villages of West Wales in our location guides.

History

The history of West Wales is long and varied, with some sites in Ceredigion dating back to the Iron Age.

Cwm Cou and Adpar have their own history, including the Adpar Castle Mound – which dates back to mediaeval times and is believed to be the site of an ancient castle.

Adpar, which is linked to Newcastle Emlyn by a bridge over the River Teifi, was also previously called Trefhedyn. It was once an important town in the area, with its own MP, bustling market, and woollen industry, which used the power of the fast flowing River Teifi. Adpar was also the home of the first permanent printing press, set up by Isaac Carter in 1719.

Local history can also be seen in Newcastle Emlyn, with its ruined castle.

Tourism & Recreation

Both Cwm Cou and Adpar offer easy access to country activities such as cycling, walking horse riding and fishing, as well as the beautiful coastline of Cardigan Bay. In addition, the attractions of historic Newcastle Emlyn and Cardigan are just a short drive away.

There are plenty of tracks, trails and bridleways to explore on foot, by bike or on horseback, plus the famed Ceredigion Coastal Path runs 60 miles from Cardigan in the south to Ynyslas in the north. Walk a section of this path and you’ll not only enjoy spectacular views of Cardigan Bay, but will also have the chance to spot the dolphins, seals and birdlife that live here.

A short drive to Newcastle Emlyn and you’ll find a range of facilities available, including a swimming pool and gym at the Leisure Centre. The centre offers a choice of swimming and aqua fitness sessions, general fitness courses, as well as facilities such as squash courts, an athletics track and table tennis.

Also worth visiting is the ruined castle at Newcastle Emlyn, and take a walk to the waterfalls at Cenarth (about eight miles there and back from Newcastle Emlyn). These waterfalls are on the River Teifi and in autumn many people come to see the leaping salmon in the river.

Not far away is the Teifi Valley Railway, a narrow gauge railway that offers a two mile ride aboard a train pulled by a steam engine. There’s also crazy golf, a play area and a cafe, making it great for a family day out.

If you move to Adpar or Cwm Cou you will also be just a short drive from the numerous beaches of Cardigan Bay. Penbryn beach (less than 20 minutes drive from these villages) – is owned by the National Trust and has wonderful golden sand, while the gorgeous Tresaith beach offers the chance to see the Tresaith Waterfalls – where the River Saith cascades over the cliff tops into the sea.

As a result of the close proximity of the coast, watersports are also very popular with many residents in Cwm Cou and Adpar. Fishing in the clean seas is a popular pastime, while surfing is loved by many, with some locals going for a quick surf after work and lessons are readily available if you want to learn. Other watersports available include waterskiing, windsurfing, kitesurfing and sailing – in Tresaith you can join the Tresaith Mariners – a catamaran and dinghy sailing club.

Shopping

The closest shopping area for both Cwm Cou and Adpar is in Newcastle Emlyn, although there are a few shops scattered around the countryside. In Adpar you can visit Riverside Health, which stocks a good range of health foods and supplements. In Cwm Cou there is also SLW Barbers if you’re in need of a trim!

But not far away in Newcastle Emlyn you’ll find plenty of choice, with this historic town home to a good range of independent shops. From the stylish Soap Shack which sells hand made soaps and bath bombs, to butchers selling local meats, gift shops, clothes shops and jewellery stores, there’s plenty to explore. Plus don’t miss the famed Cardigan Bay Brownies and discover why it’s so popular. There is also a Post Office in the town, and a Co-op Food store.

If you want the major supermarket chains such as Tesco, Aldi and Spar, you’ll need to drive to Cardigan (about 20 minutes away). This pretty market town, with its castle and history, offers lots of retail therapy – including the Grade II listed Guildhall Market, which has over 50 specialist stalls.

In Cardigan there are also branches of Lloyds, Barclays and HSBC for any financial requirements you may have.

Eating & Drinking

This part of West Wales offers a great choice of eateries, both in the rural countryside and in Newcastle Emlyn.

In Adpar itself don’t miss the Riverside Cafe. This vegetarian cafe offers a fantastic choice of dishes such as Buddha bowls, veggie burgers, cakes and more. For lovers of Chinese food there are also two Chinese takeaways – the Super Garden and China Kitchen.

At Cwm Cou there’s also the Felin Geri, which offers luxury safari tents if you want to stay over, as well as a lovely cafe serving breakfasts, lunch and evening meals.

Head into Newcastle Emlyn and try the Y Cwtch Coffi for delicious coffee and homemade cakes, or try Harrison’s Brasserie, with its riverside garden set by the River Teifi – it’s open as a cafe in the day and a steak restaurant in the evening.

Newcastle Emlyn also offers a good selection of local pubs serving a range of beers and food – try Y Sgwar or The Three Compasses – and it has takeaways such as Flames Kebab Shop or the Moonlight Indian Restaurant.

Healthcare

One of the first things to do once you’ve moved into your new home is to register with a local GP and dentist. Luckily for residents in Cwmcou and Adpar both are available in nearby Newcastle Emlyn.

The Meddygfa Emlyn medical practice is open Monday to Friday from 8am to 6.30pm and offers morning and afternoon surgeries as well as a range of specialist clinics.

There are also two dental practices to choose from – Emlyn Dental Care, located on Church Lane, and Teifi Dental Centre at Emlyn Square, as well as two pharmacies – a Boots Pharmacy and the Bridge Pharmacy.

For pet health, the Castle House veterinary practice is open Monday to Friday from 8.30am to 5.30pm, and on Saturday from 9am to 1pm.

Finally, if you have back troubles and are looking for an excellent chiropractor we would recommend West Wales Chiropractors in Blaenporth (about 7.5 miles away).

Schools

If you are thinking of moving to Cwm Cou, Adpar or the surrounding areas with children then access to good schools will be a priority.

Young children living in these villages will normally go to the Ysgol Y Ddwylan primary school in Newcastle Emlyn, which offers a bilingual (English/Welsh) education.

If you have a child with severe learning difficulties or autism, we would also suggest visiting the Canolfan y Don school at Aberporth (around eight miles from these villages). This specialist school has a great team and amazing facilities for children up to the age of 11.

For children of secondary school age, the nearest school is Ysgol Gyfun Emlyn in Newcastle Emlyn, which has a good reputation in the area.

For further education, apprenticeships or online study, many people choose the Coleg Ceredigion in Cardigan. This well established college offers a wide choice of both academic and practical courses, including part time study.

Alternatively, Aberystwyth University is around one hour away from Cwm Cou and Adpar and is very popular with home and international students. It’s worth taking a look at the latest University prospectus to check the courses currently available, which offers a choice of undergraduate, postgraduate and lifelong learning courses.

Transport

The villages of Cwm Cou and Adpar are set in a beautiful part of West Wales, but to make sure you can access all of the amenities and activities on offer here you will need a car. There are no train services in this area, however there are various bus services in the region. You can check bus routes and timings by using this journey planner.

Find Out More

If you’re keen to find out more about life in Cwm Cou and Adpar, please get in touch. We’ve lived and worked in West Wales for many years and are happy to share our knowledge to help you find your perfect home.

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 –