Set less than 15 minutes drive from Lampeter to the south and the picturesque coastal resort of Aberaeron to the north, the small villages of Felin-fach and Ystrad Aeron are increasingly popular with both tourists and house buyers.  

Offering easy access to the water sports of Cardigan Bay, beautiful rolling countryside, and a range of local facilities such as village shops and pubs, it’s easy to see why this area is attracting growing interest. 

If you’d like to find out about the latest homes for sale in Ceredigion, including in Felin-fach and Ystrad Aeron, please get in touch with us and we’ll be happy to help. You can also read about the other towns and villages of West Wales and Cardigan Bay in our Location Guides. 

History 

Ystrad Aeron is a picturesque village and the local pub – The Vale of Aeron – was once frequented by the famed Welsh poet Dylan Thomas and his wife Caitlin. The village is also home to St Michael’s Church,  which was a mediaeval building until 1877 when it was rebuilt. John Davies, the poet and bookbinder is buried in the graveyard. The Lampeter, Aberayron and New Quay Light Railway line also ran through the village, sadly closing to passengers in 1951. 

Just outside Felin-fach is the Ty’Ngwndwn Independent Chapel, the original version of which dates back to1775 – it was rebuilt in 1815,1835 and 1861, before being restored in 1892. It is now Grade II listed and has a well preserved interior. 

Tourism & Recreation 

When it comes to activities and things to do, this part of West Wales has something for everyone. The waters of Cardigan Bay offer fabulous water sports, the countryside is home to a myriad of walking and mountain biking tracks, and the villages themselves have some historic buildings. 

If you love water sports such as surfing, windsurfing, sailing, water skiing, kayaking and more, then the beaches of Cardigan Bay offer plenty to enjoy, with lessons available if you want to learn or improve. The closest beaches to these villages are at Aberaeron, which has a north and a south beach, or Gilfach Yr Halen, which is a small, secluded beach.  

Alternatively the three beaches at New Quay are just over 20 minutes away, including the main Harbour Beach which is sandy and very popular with families. Harbour Beach is also the home of Cardigan Bay Watersports, which offers everything from paddle boarding to power boating and windsurfing. 

Whenever you visit the coast here you should keep an eye out for dolphins and seals, as well as birdlife such as oystercatchers and herons. 

If you’re a keen angler  – then you can enjoy fishing on the coast, or head to The New Celtic Lakes, a fishing lake at Creuddyn Bridge (on the road to Lampeter). 

Walking is another popular pastime in the area, with the 60-mile Ceredigion Coastal Path running from Cardigan in the south to Ynyslas in the north. Around the villages of Felin-fach and Ystrad Aeron you’ll also find plenty of trails for walking and mountain biking, while the peaceful roads of West Wales are becoming very popular with road cyclists. 

Felin-fach has its own football club, which has junior and senior teams, and there’s also the Theatr Felinfach, which works with schools and communities to create theatre and arts events. 

Also close by is the Allt Pencnwc Nature Reserve, which offers free entry. Made up predominantly of oak trees, you can see woodland birds such as the Nuthatch and the Great Spotted Woodpecker, while in spring the area is carpeted by flowers such as bluebells and Lesser Celandine. 

Shopping 

Felin-fach has a Post Office and a Costcutter convenience store, meaning residents here can stock up on essential items. 

For their main grocery shopping most people in Felin-fach  and Ystrad Aeron will go to Lampeter, which has a Co-Op Food store, as well as a Premier grocery store.  

Both Lampeter and Aberaeron also have a wide choice of independent shops selling everything from gifts and health foods to clothes and crafts. 

In Aberaeron a few of the shops to explore include Driftwood Designs gift shop on Quay Parade which has a range of unique items; Watson & Pratts organic food store, selling fabulous products such as seafoods, bakery items and local cheeses; and Partridge and Parr for lovely bags and clothing. 

In Lampeter – on the Industrial Estate – you’ll find the Watson & Pratts Bakehouse for delicious bakery products, as well as other organic food items; while in the centre of town there’s everything from clothing stores and gift shops to hardware stores and hairdressers. 

Eating & Drinking 

West Wales is famed for its local food and drink, and you won’t be disappointed in the area around Felin-fach and Ystrad Aeron. 

In Ystrad Aeron is the popular Vale of Aeron pub – regularly visited by Dylan Thomas. Here there are various local events held, and a good choice of beers, with the pub recently bought by the local community. 

Not far away at Mydroilyn is The Gilfach Inn, which serves good beer and has a traditional village pub feel. 

In the popular coastal town of Aberaeron there is plenty of choice of restaurants and cafes. Don’t miss The Hive, which serves breakfast, lunch and dinner, including small plates, burgers and fresh fish dishes, as well as delicious honey ice cream. 

Being by the sea you’ll also find great fish and chips at Llond Plât, or try the award winning New Celtic Restaurant  for lunch and supper dishes, or takeaway and ice creams. There’s also Naturally Scrumptious, a deli and cafe serving homemade food such as quiches, salads and lovely drinks, and they’ve got a fantastic choice of foodie products to buy. 

Towards Lampeter you’ll find The Falcondale Hotel and Restaurant, set at the top of the Teifi Valley and offering wonderful views. If you’re visiting to find a house for sale in Ceredigion you might choose to stay here, or have a meal in the restaurant which serves dishes such as sea bass with saffron potatoes and Welsh steaks, or pop in for afternoon tea. 

In Lampeter itself you’ll find a wider choice of cafes, restaurants and pubs, including the popular Granny’s Kitchen cafe or the Castle Green Inn for a Sunday carvery. There’s also a choice of takeaways including the Nehar Indian Takeaway and the Ling Di Long Chinese restaurant. 

Healthcare 

If you choose to buy a home in Felin-fach or Ystrad Aeron then registering with a GP is likely to be one of the first things you do. The local doctors surgery is Tanyfron Primary Care in Aberaeron where you will find GPs and a nursing team. The surgery is open Monday to Friday from 8.00am – 6.15pm, with a range of clinics also available including a baby clinic and minor surgery. 

Aberaeron also has two pharmacies -Boots on Bridge Street and Allied Pharmacy at 2 Sgwar Alban. 

For a dentist, you’ll find a choice in Lampeter – the award winning Pont Steffan Dental Practice on North Road and (my)dentist on Market Place. 

For those moving to the area with animals, then the closest veterinary practice is Priory Vets in Aberaeron, which has a good reputation. 

Schools 

Felin-fach has a small, local primary school – Ysgol Gymunedol Felinfach, while for secondary education both Aberaeron and Lampeter have secondary schools. 

In Aberaeron Ysgol Gyfun Aberaeron is a bilingual school which offers a strong academic and extracurricular programme for its pupils. In Lampeter Ysgol Bro Pedr is an all ages school, going from nursery right through to sixth form.

For further education, there’s the Lampeter Campus of the University of Wales Trinity Saint David, which offers a wide range of courses including Archaeology, Nursing Studies, Creative Writing and more. Study options including part time, online and distance learning are also available. 

University education is also available less than 40 minutes up the coast at Aberystwyth University, which has undergraduate, postgraduate and online courses. This award winning university has a global reputation – look out for their open days to find out more. 

Finally, if your child has educational needs such as severe learning difficulties or autism, we would recommend Canolfan y Don at Aberporth School, about 20 miles away. It has a fantastic range of specialist facilities and accepts pupils up to the age of 11. For secondary schooling Canolfan Y Bont is part of Ysgol Bro Pedr at Lampeter and provides education for children with a range of educational needs. 

Transport 

While a car is necessary to live in this picturesque corner of West Wales, these villages do benefit from the regular T1 bus services. Connecting both Felin-fach and Ystrad Aeron to other villages and the larger towns of Aberaeron, Lampeter and Carmarthen, there are currently hourly services throughout the day.  

Find out more 

We’re award winning, specialist estate agents covering Ceredigion, Pembrokeshire and Carmarthenshire,  and are here to help you find your perfect property. You can call us on 01239 562 500 or get in touch through our website to discuss your property search. It may also be helpful to take a look at these other websites –  

• Things to Do – Click Here 
• Primary schools – Click Here and Here 
• Transport – Click Here
• Property management and lettings – Click Here