In an ideal location between the historic university town of Lampeter (5.5 miles) and popular Llandysul (9.2 miles), the market town of Llanybydder straddles the picturesque River Teifi and offers a choice of both new-build and more traditional properties for sale. 

Offering easy access to good schools and the beautiful coast of Cardigan Bay, there is also a whole range of activities to be enjoyed, including walking, cycling, horse riding, rugby and water sports, ensuring something for all ages. 

To find your perfect home for sale in Ceredigion, Carmarthenshire or Pembrokeshire, please get in touch. with us and we’ll be happy to help you in your home search. You can also read about the many other towns and villages of west Wales in our growing range of location guides.  

History 

From the famed Preseli Mountains with their Iron Age remains, to stories of smugglers on the Cardigan Bay coast and the woollen mills that were a key part of this area’s more recent history, West Wales is fascinating. 

At Llanybydder there is evidence of an Iron Age settlement, located on the hill overlooking the town, while more recently Llanybydder was one of the stops on the important Manchester and Milford Railway, which helped the region thrive in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Sadly the line was closed in 1965. 

The town also has a long history with horses and is renowned for its horse fairs which still take place on the last Thursday of each month, with the largest in the autumn. 

Tourism & Recreation 

Set around five miles southwest of Lampeter, Llanybydder offers a wide range of activities and attractions for residents and visitors. Once you’ve found your perfect house for sale in Ceredigion or Carmarthenshire, then you can start enjoying what’s on offer! 

One of the main attractions of this area is its proximity to the stunning coast of Cardigan Bay – famed for its surf spots if you fancy having a lesson or two! The picturesque town of Aberaeron is less than 16 miles away and has a north and a south beach, as well as Gilfach Yr Halen, which is a small, secluded beach that is lovely to discover. Aberaeron also has some lovely shops and cafes, making it great for a day by the sea. 

Just a little further away is New Quay, which has a choice of the three beaches! The main Harbour Beach is sandy, making it very popular with families and it’s also the home of Cardigan Bay Watersports, where you can try water sports such as paddle boarding and windsurfing. 

While you’re at the coast, make sure you keep an eye out for the wildlife that lives in and around the waters of Cardigan Bay. Dolphins, seals and many different birds make their homes here. 

There’s also plenty of walking and mountain biking to be done both at the coast and in the countryside around Llanybydder. The famous Ceredigion Coastal Path runs 60 miles from Cardigan to Ynyslas, or for something a little shorter try the 21-mile-long Lampeter to Aberaeron footpath. There’s also the Cylchdaith Allt Goch Circular from Lampeter, which takes in an Iron Age settlement. 

Mountain bikers should also head for Brechfa Forest, which offers trails for both experienced and inexperienced mountain bikers, or the Ystwyth Trail, which connects Aberystwyth with Tregaron. Road cyclists too can enjoy the quiet roads that crisscross the countryside here, while for horse riders the area has plenty of tracks and bridleways to explore. 

Keen fishermen (and women) have easy access to fabulous fishing on the coast or try The New Celtic Lakes, a fishing lake at Creuddyn Bridge, about eight miles away. 

For rugby enthusiasts, Llandybydder has its own rugby union team, which competes in the SWALEC Division 4 (West), while for football players and supporters, Llandybydder’s team plays in Division 1 of the Costcutter Ceredigion League. 

If nature and history are more your thing then the beautiful Coed Y Foel nature reserve is less than 10 miles away, while the fascinating Dolaucothi Gold Mines – Britain’s only known Roman gold mine – is about 15 minutes from Lampeter.  

Shopping 

Despite its rural location, shopping in West Wales offers plenty to discover, and Llanybydder and its surroundings are no different. 

In Llanybydder there’s a Nisa convenience store and Siop y Bont, both of which offer a range of groceries for daily shopping. There’s also a barbour’s shop – Terry’s Trims; kitchen specialist Life Style Kitchens if you decide to renovate your kitchen in your new house; a Post Office; and country staples such as Roy Thomas Farm Supplies, a garage for car repairs and Wilson Timber. Also on the outskirts of the town is Jen Jones Welsh Quilts & Blankets, a fantastic find and somewhere to explore for your new home. 

For more choice head to Lampeter, which has a Sainsbury’s, a Co-Op Food store and a Premier grocery store, as well as some lovely independent shops, including Mulberry Bush Wholefoods, Lan Llofft for clothing and gift ideas, and a choice of hairdressers and beauty salons. You should also try Watson & Pratts Bakehouse on Lampeter Industrial Estate, which produces some of the best bakery products and also sells other organic food items.  

Eating & Drinking 

Increasingly recognised for the quality of its food and restaurants, this part of West Wales has a choice of eateries and foodie shops. 

In Llanybydder the Cross Hands Hotel is a good place to stay if you’re coming to the area to find a house for sale in Ceredigion or Carmarthenshire. A beautiful building, with comfortable rooms, it also has a restaurant serving meals such as steaks and fish dishes.  

There’s also a good local pub – the Tanygraig Inn – that serves a range of beers, some local, and there’s a choice of takeaways –  Romino’s is a family-run pizza and kebab takeaway, which also does burgers, wraps and paninis, while China Wok serves delicious Chinese and Cantonese food. 

Just to the south of Llanybydder, in Llanllwni, is The Belle, which offers a lovely pub and dining experience. Using fresh ingredients, you can try dishes such as Swansea oak smoked salmon and pomegranate, Welsh fillet steak and slow roast Welsh pork belly with Calvados apple chutney. Definitely worth a visit! 

You’ve got more dining and drinking choices in Lampeter, including Y Becws for specialist breads and cakes; the Artisans Food & Drink Boutique for great coffees and light meals; or the Castle Green Inn for a Sunday carvery.  

Healthcare 

One of the first things to do once you’ve purchased your new home is to register with a GP. Llanybydder has its own medical centre, the Brynmeddyg Surgery on Llansawel Road, which is a branch of the larger Bro Pedr Medical Group in Lampeter.   

Llanybydder also has its own pharmacy – the Well Pharmacy at Market Square. Alternatively, Lampeter has a choice of three pharmacies – a Boots at Harford Square, the Adrian Thomas Pharmacy on High Street and the Allied Pharmacy on Bridge Street. 

While Llanbydder doesn’t have its own dentist, you’ll find a choice in Lampeter – the award-winning Pont Steffan Dental Practice on North Road and (my)dentist on Market Place. 

If you have animals then you can register with Steffan Veterinary Services on High Street in Lampeter, which has a good reputation. 

We also highly recommend an excellent chiropractor in Blaenporth (around 35 minutes from Llanybydder) – West Wales Chiropractors. 

Schools 

Families in Llanybydder are lucky as the village has its own primary school, which also has additional clubs such as a breakfast club and sports club. The school has Welsh as its main language for educational, cultural and social aspects, with the aim of ensuring all pupils are bilingual by the age of 11. 

For secondary education children go to Ysgol Bro Pedr in Lampeter, an all age school that welcomes pupils from ages 3-19.  

Lampeter also has a campus of the University of Wales Trinity Saint David. If you or your child are interested in further education it offers a range of study options – full-time, part-time, online and distance learning. Courses here include subjects such as Philosophy, History and Nursing Studies.  

You’ll also find that Aberystwyth University is around 45 minutes’ drive to the north. This award-winning university welcomes students from around the world, providing an international environment for studying undergraduate, postgraduate and online courses. 

Another attraction of this area if you have a child who has educational needs such as severe learning difficulties or autism, is the accessibility of some excellent specialist schools. Canolfan y Don school at Aberporth, around 23 miles away, has an excellent team and specialist facilities for children 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 

As the railway closed a long time ago, the main form of transport in this area is the local bus service, but to really access all of the surrounding amenities you will need a car.  

The T1 bus service connects Carmarthen to Aberystwyth and stops at Llanybydder regularly throughout the day. It also stops at Lampeter. 

Find out more 

Our team is here to help you find your next home. We’ve built up an award-winning, specialist estate agent in Ceredigion, Carmarthenshire and Pembrokeshire. You can call us on 01239 562 500 or get in touch through our website. 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 and Here  
• Property management and lettings – Click Here