20 Things to do in Ceredigion with kids

Penny spent an amazing week making the most of the middle of Cardigan Bay in the county of Ceredigion, Wales, via a stay at Barbara House with Sykes Cottages. From the wild and other wordily landscape of hills, forest, remote farms and isolated chapels used for the filming of BBC detective thriller Hinterland, to brightly coloured seaside towns like Aberystwth and Aberaeron, to New Quay, once home to poet Dylan Thomas, and on to secret beaches like Mwnt, Ceredigion is a county with plenty to keep outdoor loving children and their grown ups exceedingly happy.

20 Things to do in Ceredigion with kids
Here are 20 things to do in Ceredigion, the Alexander family loved:

 

Aberaeron

Aberaeron is a foodie’s paradise and a beautiful place to hang out. The colourful harbour has been described as one of the prettiest in Wales, maybe the UK. We caught it on a grey day, but still it was wonderfully cheery.

1. Decide which colour house you would live in

20 Things to do in Ceredigion with kids

2. Eat in a Family Friendly Gastro Pub with a pet albatross, as recommended by Alistair Sawday.

The Harbourmaster, Aberaeron 20 Things to do in Ceredigion with kids

3. Eat Welsh Honey Ice Cream, it’s the best we have ever tasted.

20 Things to do in Ceredigion with kids

4. Jump the boulders while pretending to be pirates brandishing sticks as swords.

20 Things to do in Ceredigion with kids

 

Llanrhystud/Llannon

Two quiet towns but both have beaches, Llanon made a sleepy and untouristy base for us. We stayed in a great value and absolutely beautiful blue Georgian house, which was just as gorgeous inside.

5. Beachcomb, who knows what you might find and what you could make it into? The driftwood is amazing.

20 Things to do in Ceredigion with kids

Devil’s Bridge

The first episode of Hinterland was filmed here, an incredible place full of ancient legend. The River Mynach crashes through the deep ravine of ferns and ancient oaks, so it is dramatic too.

6. Race down Jacob’s ladder, 100 crooked old steps, learn about how Devil’s Bridge got it’s name, and watch a 300ft waterfall.

Devil's Bridge, 20 Things to do in Ceredigion with kids

Aberyswyth

A larger town with great shops, a sweeping promenade and a really big heart.

7. Have chips on the seafront in a shelter

20 Things to do in Ceredigion with kids

8. Spend your pocket money in the little shops.

 

Mwnt

Owned by the National Trust and listed in The Guardian’s top UK beaches, this is a stunning secret beach.

9. Play on this glorious sandy beach.

20 Things to do in Ceredigion with kids

10. Have tea and cake, you can’t beat the home-made bara brith and welsh cakes from the little kiosk.

11. Climb up the hill for the best views of Cardigan Bay.

20 Things to do in Ceredigion with kids

12. Sneak into the tiniest little white 15th century chapel.

 

New Quay

Home to Dylan Thomas this seaside town has bags of character, you can almost imagine the characters that inspired Thomas walking around it.

13. Take one of the Dolphin Boat Trips and keep your eyes peeled for these amazing creatures, sadly we went out of dolphin season, aim for April to October.

14. Tuck into Fish and Chips

20 Things to do in Ceredigion with kids

15. Play on the sandy beach with your bucket and spade.

16. Buy shells, or pose with the shark.

20 Things to do in Ceredigion with kids

Sykes Cottages

17. Head home to your Sykes Cottage to recover by leaping onto a cosy sofa or chair.

20 Things to do in Ceredigion with kids

18. Or play games and beat your parents.

20 Things to do in Ceredigion with kids

19. Have a little walk to the local beach to collect more driftwood.

20 Things to do in Ceredigion with kids

20. Make something wonderful with it to bring home.

20 Things to do in Ceredigion with kids

Penny and family were guests of Sykes Cottages and stayed in the stunningly beautiful, blue, Georgian, Barbara House. To follow her adventures in detail visit parentshaped.

 

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