Nestled amid the rolling hills and patchwork fields of West Wales, the three villages of Pentrecwrt, Bangor Teifi and Bancyffordd are ideally located between the charming towns of Llandysul (about three miles away) and Newcastle Emlyn (between six and eight miles, depending where you choose to live).

The beauty of this part of West Wales is that you’re also not far from the stunning Welsh coastline, with its watersports and activities just half an hour’s drive away. 

If you’d like to discuss your move to West Wales, we’re here to help. We’ve lived here all of our lives and are happy to offer advice and insight into where and what to buy, for your individual requirements – please get in touch. 

You can also read more about the other towns and villages of West Wales in our location guides.

History

This part of West Wales has a rich history – both ancient and more modern. Bangor Teifi has its pretty St David’s church, originally built in 1812 on the site of a mediaeval church and entirely rebuilt in 1930-32.

Pentrecrwt is believed to date back to at least the 12th century, and actually has an ancient ‘motte’ on the hillside above it. In the village, there is still a small church, and you can see a bridge over the River Teifi that was built in 1841 to connect the Alltcafan Mill – the textile industry was hugely important to the economy here in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

Tourism & Recreation

There’s something for all ages in this picturesque area. For walkers, there is a wide choice of tracks and bridleways to explore, while at the coast you can discover the renowned Ceredigion Coastal Path, which runs 60 miles along the coast from Cardigan in the south to Ynyslas in the north.

Cycling and horse riding are also very popular, with numerous trails through the countryside and quiet lanes to discover.

If you’re keen on fishing, then the famed River Teifi is close by. If you want to meet other enthusiasts then the Llandysul Angling Association welcomes new members and has several permit types available. Alternatively head to the coast where the clean waters of Cardigan Bay are home to fish such as turbot, cod and mackerel.

The close proximity to the coast means that there are some of Britain’s best beaches within a 30-minute drive of Pentrecwrt, Bangor Teifi and Bancyffordd. Penbryn beach is owned by the National Trust and has almost one mile of sand to enjoy, making it very popular with families. 

There’s also Aberporth beach, which is loved for its two sandy beaches and rockpools, while you can also head to Llangrannog where the pretty beach has some lovely pubs and cool beach cafes.

Remember to look out for some of the wildlife that makes its homes in and around Cardigan Bay. Regularly seen here are dolphins and seals – sometimes with their pups – and some wonderful sea birds.

And if water sports are your thing, you’ll have plenty of choices living here. Surfing is hugely popular, with lessons readily available if you’re keen to learn. Alternatively, try water skiing, windsurfing, kitesurfing or sailing, with a sailing club available in Tresaith.

If you prefer a swimming pool and sports complex, then in Llandysul there’s the Calon Tysul which offers everything from swimming lessons to climbing, a fitness suite and sports for children.

These villages are also close to the National Wool Museum, which is located just outside Drefach Felindre, as well as the picturesque Teifi Valley Railway, a narrow gauge railway with a steam engine. 

Shopping

Shopping here is very local, which is part of the charm of rural Welsh living. However, you can find high street shops such as Tesco and banking services in Cardigan and Carmarthen, both around half an hour away.

In Pentrecwrt there is Storfa JJ Stores, a convenience store open until 8 pm for a range of essential grocery items. There is also a hairdresser here – Talking Heads, which has a good reputation.

For larger shops, you’ll find a Spar and a CK Foodstore (with a Post Office) in Llandysul, as well as some lovely independent shops such as the fab newsagent, a butcher, a shop selling outdoor gear, and Arcade – a lovely shop selling stoves and cookers.

Depending on where you live, you may find Newcastle Emlyn a little closer and here you’ll find a Co-op Food store, a Post Office, as well as a good choice of independent shops such as the popular Cardigan Bay Brownies, as well as butchers, florists, health food shops and more.

Eating & Drinking

The rolling countryside of West Wales has a growing reputation for great food, and there are some wonderful cafes and restaurants here and on the Cardigan Bay coast. 

In the surrounding villages, there are several lovely restaurants and pubs. Not far from Bangor Teifi and close to the Teifi Valley Railway, you’ll find the Leaky Barrel Welsh Bistro & Shop. With a choice of fabulous products to buy, alongside delicious local specialities such as Welsh Rarebit in the bistro, this is a great place for a coffee, lunch or a drink with friends.

Only a couple of miles from Bangor Teifi is the beautiful Daffodil Inn at Penrhiwllan. This country pub and restaurant is listed in the Michelin Guides and is a good choice for a special occasion. It also has accommodation – shepherd’s huts with hot tubs!

Another good option is the Lamb of Rhos, less than two miles from Pentrecwrt, which serves a wide choice of food throughout the day – steaks, curry, burgers and more.

Alternatively, at Drefach Felindre there’s the Tafarn John Y Gwas pub, which serves good fresh food, as well as The Red Lion, a 19th-century pub that offers home-cooked food and a friendly atmosphere.

There’s also the pop-up restaurant Veganishmum – follow them on social media to keep up to date with their upcoming events and head along to try some of their innovative dishes. 

Healthcare

If you move to the area and need to register with a doctor, the closest GP surgery is in Llandysul – the Llynyfran Surgery. Appointments are available online and there are community nurses and health visitors, as well as doctors. There are also a number of specialist clinics and e-consultations for certain requirements.

There are two pharmacies in Llandysul –  Lloyds Pharmacy, centrally located on New Road, and the Boots Pharmacy on Lincoln Street.

Dental care is also available in Llandysul at the Cottage Dental Practice at Rhydowen.

If you are in need of an excellent chiropractor we would recommend West Wales Chiropractors in Blaenporth (about 14 miles from Llandysul).

If you have pets or other animals, the Tysul Vets is based in Llandysul and is open from 8.30 am until 6 pm Monday to Friday, and from 9 am to 1 pm on Saturdays.

Schools

Which primary school your children go to in this area will depend on where you live as there are various small, local primary schools.

Not far from Pentrecwrt is the Brynsaron school, a bilingual school that welcomes children from the age of three to eleven. There’s also the Penboyr Primary School in Drefach Felindre, which is a Church of Wales Primary School.

If you live closer to Llandysul you may choose to send your child to Ysgol Bro Teifi, a purpose-built, combined primary and secondary school, where children from other primary schools in the area also go to receive their secondary education.

For families who have a child with severe learning difficulties, we’d suggest contacting Canolfan y Don, an excellent school in Aberporth, around half an hour from these villages. Their specialist team also supports children with profound and multiple disabilities and autism.

Once your children leave school there is a choice of further education colleges in the local area – Coleg Ceredigion in Cardigan and Aberystwyth, or Coleg Sir Gâr and the School of Art, both in Carmarthen. Depending on your child’s interests, all of these colleges provide a wide range of academic and practical courses, including online study and apprenticeships. They also offer adult learning courses if you are interested in further study.

There is also the University of Wales Trinity St David Carmarthen Campus, which offers courses ranging from Archaeology to Computing, as well as PGCE and part-time courses, giving plenty of choice for you and your children.

Transport

While there are bus services in this area, they may not be as regular as you need if you are relying on them to access work or local amenities. You can check bus routes and timings on this journey planner, but we do feel a car is essential if you choose to live in this rural area.

Find out more

If you’re interested in finding out more about life in Pentrecwrt, Bangor Teifi & Bancyffordd you can call us on 01239 562 500 or get in touch with Helen or Tania. We’re always happy to share our knowledge of West Wales, so please feel free to contact us 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 – 

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