Set between Llandysul (about four miles south of Rhydowen) and New Quay on the beautiful Cardigan Bay coast (about 20 minutes north), the villages of Talgarreg, Pontsian, Prengwyn, Maesymeillion and Rhydowen are also perfectly placed for accessing the larger towns of Lampeter (15-20 minutes) and Newcastle Emlyn (around 20 minutes), as well as picturesque Aberaeron (25 minutes).

If you’re looking for a home for sale in Ceredigion, then these villages offer a mix of both traditional and modern properties, all surrounded by the rolling landscapes of West Wales.

You can also read more about the many other towns and villages of West Wales in our location guides, while if you want to discuss your move with Helen or Tania then please get in touch.

History

This part of West Wales is awash with ancient history and legends of battles and magic. Just north of Llandysul is Pen Coed-Foel, an Iron Age hillfort dating back to around 800 BC – AD74. Originally a camp with a stone enclosure, it now has double ramparts which enclose an area of roughly 4.5 acres. An incredible site, if you’re coming to the area to search for a house for sale in Ceredigion it’s definitely worth visiting.

More recently, the area developed as the home of the Welsh woollen industry. Sheep were reared in the countryside that surrounds these villages and through the 19th century woollen mills were established in Llandysul. Sadly, by the end of the 20th century, all of the mills had closed as cheaper imports took hold.

Tourism & Recreation

If you love activities such as walking, cycling and horse riding then this beautiful part of Ceredigion is perfect for you. There are numerous quiet lanes and walking routes across the area, with something for all fitness levels. You can also walk part – or all if you have the time – of the Ceredigion Coastal Path, which covers 60 miles of the coastline from Cardigan in the south up to Ynyslas in the north. 

Road cycling is also a popular sport here, with both countryside and coast to discover, while mountain bikers and horse riders will enjoy the trails and bridleways on offer. In fact, this part of West Wales is hugely popular with equestrians and you’ll find a range of studs, stables and equestrian services across the region. 

Being so close to the coast, residents here can also enjoy many different water sports. Surfing is probably the sport West Wales is best known for, with the clean waters of Cardigan Bay home to fabulous beaches that offer something for everyone – from beginners through to experienced surfers. You’ll also find plenty of surf schools where you can get started by taking some lessons.

Other water sports include everything from windsurfing and sailing, to water skiing and paddle boarding. You can take a look at Cardigan Bay Watersports in nearby New Quay to find out more about their full range of activities. 

Fishing is also very popular here and with miles of coastline to discover, as well as the famed River Teifi, you’ll be spoiled for choice. The Llandysul Angling Association has the rights to over 30 miles of fishing on the River Teifi, and has a choice of membership and permits.

At weekends many people head to one of the nearby beaches, and there are plenty to choose from just a short drive from these villages. The closest beaches are at New Quay, which has three different beaches – Harbour Beach, Dolau and Traeth Gwyn – as well as Llangrannog, which has a main beach and a smaller second beach, and Aberaeron, with beaches and colourful houses.

If you enjoy adventure sports such as river swimming, canyoning or climbing then you should contact Llandysul Paddlers. They will tailor an experience to suit you and offer almost any outdoor activity!

If you prefer sports with less adrenaline, then in Llandysul there’s a leisure centre which has a swimming pool and provides a range of fitness classes, while for keen cricketers you can join the Llandysul Cricket Club, which also has junior teams. 

Shopping

If you enjoy shopping in local, independent stores, then you’ll have plenty to explore in this part of Ceredigion. While these villages are small, you’ll find some unique shopping opportunities and a friendly welcome.

In Rhydowen there’s the incredible Alltyrodyn Antiques, a deceptively large antiques shop that is packed with all sorts of decoration and furnishing inspiration. In Pontsian there is also a Premier convenience store for essential items.

For larger food shops head to Llandysul, where you’ll find a Spar and a CK Foodstore, as well as a butcher, a fruit shop, a bookstore and even a wood stove shop. While if you have a sweet tooth don’t miss the famed Cardigan Bay Brownies, Newcastle Emlyn!

The larger town of Lampeter has more choice for food shopping, including a Sainsbury’s and a Co-Op as well as independent stores such as Mulberry Bush Wholefoods, the popular Y Becws for specialist breads and cakes, and the fantastic Watson & Pratt’s. Here you’ll also find a good range of services such as hairdressers and beauticians, as well as clothing and craft shops.

In Lampeter there’s also a Lloyds bank and an HSBC for any financial requirements you have.

Eating & Drinking

If you enjoy wining and dining, this part of West Wales has a wide choice of cafes, restaurants and pubs.

At Pren-gwyn, close to Rhydowen, you can try the Gwarcefel Arms, a traditional pub serving homemade food, including Sunday lunch. In Talgarreg the local pub is the Glanyrafon Arms, which serves a range of beers as well as snacks and pub meals such as lamb shank, lasagne and Welsh faggots. 

On the far side of Horeb the Daffodil Inn is set in the pretty village of Penrhiw-llan and is a charming country pub – perfect for a special occasion. 

In Llandysul you’ll find a wider range of restaurants, pubs and takeaways including Buon Appetito, which sells some fabulous Italian coffees and deli products. There’s also Nyth Y Robin , which sells antiques and books alongside some delicious food. For takeaways try the Taj Llandysul, Dan l’Sang, or Pizza Choice.

There are also plenty of foodie options in Lampeter, including the popular Granny’s Kitchen – a traditional cafe with great food. You should also try the Artisan’s Food & Drink Boutique and The Stables at the Royal Oak Hotel for local steaks and fresh fish. There’s also the Nehar Indian takeaway and Ling Di Long for Chinese food.

A little further away in the Georgian town of Aberaeron there’s a range of cafes and restaurants, including the well-known The Stubborn Duckling and McCowans Cafe – popular for its coffee and snacks such as homemade Welsh Rarebit.

Healthcare

Healthcare is a priority for many house buyers, and if you choose to live in this area there is a choice of GP surgeries. Depending where you buy, there is the Llynyfran Surgery in Llandysul, the Meddygfa Emlyn in Newcastle Emlyn, and the Lampeter Medical Practice in Lampeter. 

There are also a number of dental practices in the surrounding area. Close to Rhydowen is the Cottage Dental Practice, while in Lampeter there is a choice of either the Pont Steffan Dental Practice on North Road or (my)dentist on Market Place. Alternatively, in Newcastle Emlyn there is Emlyn Dental Care on Church Lane, or the Teifi Dental Centre at Emlyn Square.

The closest pharmacies to these villages are in Llandysul, which has a Lloyds Pharmacy and a Boots Pharmacy, or in New Quay where there is the Central Pharmacy. Lampeter also has a Boots Pharmacy as well as the Adrian Thomas Pharmacy and a Lloyds Pharmacy.

We would also recommend West Wales Chiropractors in Blaenporth (around 25 minutes from these villages) for any back issues you may have.

Finally, if you’re moving to the area with pets, then you’ll find veterinary clinics in Llandysul – Tysul Vets and in Lampeter where there is Steffan Vets as well as a veterinary service dedicated to farm animals – ProStock Vets.

Schools

If you move to the area and have children of school age then there is a small local primary school in Talgarreg, while in Llandysul there is the purpose-built combined primary and secondary school Ysgol Bro Teifi. 

As your children get older, Lampeter has a campus of the University of Wales Trinity St David. Founded in 1822, the university here has a rich history and attracts students from across the UK and beyond. The Lampeter Campus offers a wide range of courses including Ancient History, Archaeology, Creative Writing, History and more.

Alternatively, Coleg Ceredigion in Cardigan offers academic courses, apprenticeships and online study options in a range of courses – from furniture design and creative media to hospitality and business.

Finally, for parents of children with autism or severe learning disabilities, there is the renowned Canolfan y Don in Aberporth school (about 30 minutes away depending on where you choose to live). The specialist team offers learning and development for children up to the age of 11.

Transport

Living in this beautiful, rural region of West Wales you’ll find that having a car is essential to access all of the amenities you need, however there is a good regular bus service connecting most of these villages to Lampeter.

You can also find out more by using this journey planner, which has information on a full range of bus services in West Wales.

Find out more…

We are a specialist estate agent in Ceredigion and are always happy to help you with your property search. You can contact Helen or Tania directly on 01239 562 500 to discuss your requirements and we’ll keep you up to date with all of the latest properties that come onto the market.

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
• Primary schools – Click Here
• Transport – Click Here and Here
• Property management and lettings – Click Here