Set close to the charming market town of Cardigan, the rural villages of Mwnt, Ferwig and Gwbert offer the best of country life in West Wales. Combining picturesque landscapes with the beautiful Welsh coastline, and the convenience of easy access to the services of Cardigan, it’s no wonder these villages are becoming increasingly popular with property buyers.

The village of Ferwig is just 2.5 miles northwest of Cardigan, Gwbert is a little further at 3 miles from Cardigan, while Mwnt is a National Trust owned area 4.5 miles north of Cardigan.

Read on to discover what makes this part of West Wales so special, and get in touch if you’d like to discuss your property search with Helen or Tania. You can also read about the many other villages around Cardigan Bay in our location guides.

History

Mwnt is an ancient parish of Ceredigion and, as such, has a rich history. Set beside the main pilgrimage route to St David’s, it’s no wonder that remnants of mediaeval religion can still be found, with the pretty whitewashed church – The Church of the Holy Cross – set above the beach. The building dates back to the 13th century, but it is likely that pilgrims used it several hundred years before then. Sailors too would visit the church to pray – thanks to its easy access, close to the beach. Since these times Mwnt hasn’t changed too much – it is still a small hamlet, with just a few houses and recently won a Green Coast Award.

Ferwig is a small village, made up of a pretty church dating back to around 1853 and a number of houses. History shows that the area was inhabited as far back as the Bronze Age. The majority of houses and farms in Ferwig today were built in the 19^th or 20^th centuries.

While Gwbert has little history to show before the early 20th century, it is said that a wandering saint called Gwbert landed here and took shelter in a cave. The reality is unknown, but by 1886 there were moves to make Gwbert a major seaside resort – similar to Brighton or Scarborough. Despite much being written on Gwbert’s attractions at the time, major growth never materialised, ensuring it retains the charm of a small, peaceful coastal village.

Just outside Gwbert, you’ll find Craig y Gwbert, and it’s here that the remains of an Iron Age fort were found, while south-west of the village mediaeval pottery and shoes were unearthed and are now on display at Cardigan Heritage Centre.

Tourism &  Recreation

Mwnt is famous for its stunning sandy beach, owned by the National Trust. While it has gained widespread praise, including from the Daily Mail who put it on a list of Best Beaches, it rarely becomes too busy.

At Mwnt beach you can relax, enjoy the sea and look out for the wildlife such as dolphins, seals and porpoises. It’s also worth doing the walk around Foel y Mwnt, the headland that climbs above the beach for some fantastic views of Cardigan Bay. 

Just 2.5 miles from Mwnt is Ferwig, surrounded by lovely countryside – perfect for walking and cycling. If you have children then Ferwig also has a great play park, located close to St Pedrog’s Church. Alternatively, the beaches of Poppit Sands and Aberporth are just a short drive away (both less than six miles from Ferwig).

For keen walkers, the 60-mile Ceredigion Coastal Path passes through Gwbert, as well as the 870-mile Wales Coast Path. The surrounding area is also great for cycling, with quiet roads, gentle rolling hills and stunning views of Cardigan Bay and the estuary where the River Teifi meets the Irish Sea.

Gwbert is also popular with holidaymakers due to its pretty beach, and you’ll find two hotels here – the Cliff Hotel & Spa, which also has its own 9-hole golf course, and the smaller Gwbert Hotel. 

Cardigan Golf Club is also close by, just two and a half miles from Cardigan. Founded in 1895, this golf course is listed as one of the top courses to play in Wales and offers fabulous views of Cardigan Bay.

The Cardigan Island Coastal Farm Park is very popular and easily accessible from all three of the villages. Overlooking the Teifi estuary and with views across to Cardigan Island, here you can discover both farm animals and local wildlife such as seals in their natural habitat.

Beyond all of this, there is a great choice of watersports – Gwbert is popular for surfing, windsurfing and kitesurfing, as well as sea kayaking and sailing on the Teifi Estuary – try the Teifi Boating Club for a range of boating activities and youth training programmes. 

If you prefer keeping fit in a gym or at classes, the Cardigan Leisure Centre is just a short drive away, or try Cardigan Swimming Pool and Fitness Centre.

Shopping

The three neighbouring villages of Mwnt, Ferwig and Gwbert don’t have any shops themselves, but they are just a couple of miles from Cardigan with its range of retail therapy!

A traditional market town, Cardigan still retains a choice of charming independent shops, alongside the larger national retailers. The lovely Guildhall Market has over 50 different stores, selling everything from flowers and antiques to gaming gear and hand knitted accessories. There’s also a cafe where you can enjoy tea and cake if you fancy a break from the shopping.

Cardigan is also where you’ll find the major supermarkets – Tesco, Aldi and Spar are all here. If you prefer to support smaller, local shops then there are butchers, bakers, beauty salons, hairdressers and more, ensuring you can find almost everything you need. There are also some great surf shops – essential if you live in this part of the World.

And to pay for it all? There’s a Lloyds, Barclays and an HSBC!

Eating & Drinking

With a growing reputation for great food, there’s no shortage of places to eat and drink in this corner of West Wales.

The Flat Rock Bistro is set within The Gwbert Hotel. Open to residents and non-residents, its menu includes dishes such as jacket potatoes and paninis for lunch, while in the evening enjoy a seafood platter, steaks, risotto and more.

Alternatively, The Cliff Hotel offers a choice of dining options and breathtaking views of the coast. The Point Bar & Lounge serves coffees, cakes, light snacks and a good choice of wines and cocktails, while the Carreg at the Cliff serves lunches and dinners, with dishes including seafood, steaks and a braised lamb shoulder, as well as vegetarian and vegan options.

Being only a few miles from Cardigan it’s also easy to enjoy the many restaurants and cafes of this pretty town. A few to try include the Food for Thought, Bara Menyn Bakehouse, 1176 at Cardigan Castle, Yr Hen Printworks and the fantastic Pizzatipi.

Healthcare

If you do decide to move to Mwnt, Ferwig or Gwbert, you’ll need to register with healthcare services and you’ll find all of these in Cardigan.

The Cardigan Health Centre is open every day from 8.30am until 1pm and then from 2pm until 6.30pm. The centre offers a comprehensive range of services, with five doctors and three nurse practitioners. If you’re in need of something simple like a sick note or test results, the surgery also offers e-consultations.

For dental treatment there’s a choice of dental practices in Cardigan – Cardigan Dental, located in the Integrated Care Centre, the Feidr Fair Dental Practice, and the Charsfield Dental Surgery. All are open five days a week and have several practising dentists.

For back issues there is a chiropractor in Blaenporth – West Wales Chiropractors – which we would highly recommend.

Schools

If you’re moving to this part of West Wales with young children then primary schools will be at the forefront of your mind. For residents of Mwnt, Ferwig and Gwbert the closest primary school is in Cardigan – the Ysgol Gynradd Aberteifi, which offers both Welsh and English language education.

As your children grow up, Cardigan has a good secondary school – Ysgol Uwchradd Aberteifi, with school buses running from Gwbert and Ferwig each day. There is also the Coleg Ceredigion in Cardigan, which has a comprehensive range of courses – including online courses and Apprenticeships. Subjects include everything from hair and beauty, to finance, public service and automotive studies.

If you’re looking at universities for your child – or yourself – the University of Aberystwyth (about an hour from the villages), has an excellent reputation for both undergraduate and postgraduate studies. 

For parents of young children who have disabilities, severe learning difficulties or autism, you may also be pleased to hear that there is the renowned Canolfan y Don school at Aberporth (about 10minutes from Ferwig and 15 minutes from Gwbert). Supporting children up to the age of 11, it has an excellent team and a range of specialist facilities.

Transport

If you decide to live in this rural part of West Wales a car is essential. While the bus is the main form of public transport, the services may not fit with your requirements.

The villages of Mwnt, Ferwig and Gwbert all have regular bus services connecting to Cardigan and Aberporth. To check times and daily schedules you can take a look at this journey planner. To give you a guide to journey times, the bus to Cardigan takes around half an hour from Mwnt, 16 minutes from Ferwig, and about 12 minutes from Gwbert.

Find out more…

Thinking of moving to Mwnt, Ferwig or Gwbert? We are here to help and happy to discuss your move with you. Please give us a call on 01239 562 500 and we’ll happily answer your questions to help you plan your move to Cardigan Bay or West Wales. 

To help, you can find out more about other local activities and services on these additional websites…

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