Explore the Edwardian splendours of Aberystwyth

Distance/Time:                          6.5km / 4 miles.

Start:                                        Along the sea front on Marine Terrace (or use free weekend car park on Queens Avenue behind Marine Terrace)

Grid Ref:                                   SN 583 824

The grand architecture and majestic Edwardian and Victorian buildings have put Aberystwyth firmly on the tourist map. And the noticeable history goes back even further. The town is watched over by Edward I’s mighty castle, the ruins of which still stand on Castle Hill. It was built in the 13^th century on a low knoll by the coast as part of his “Iron Ring” of fortresses in Wales designed to subdue his arch-rivals, the Welsh army.

Today, modern Aberystwyth buzzes with a vibrant student population and is home to many important institutional and government buildings; not least the stunning home of the National Library of Wales.

1: Walk to the northern end of Marine Terrace (away from the castle and pier). At the last building on the right, turn right for some wide steps then bear left up the windy path that leads up Constitution Hill.

2: Cross the railway by a footbridge, then turn left up steps to cross it again and continue. At the top, with a café building on the right, bear right through two wooden posts then turn left for the track leading away from the café and Camera Obscura, with the coast path running almost parallel below.

3: Soon turn left through a gate for a wide track. Shortly afterwards leave the track to cross a stile on the left into a field. Walk straight ahead to pass below a satellite station. At a finger post, bear left to follow the track downhill to another stile. Cross it and go into the woods.

4: Continue for a while until the path bends very sharply left. Stay ahead here for a small wooden gate. Go through it and along a short track to reach a lane. Go straight ahead and uphill, passing the cottages on the right.

5: Pass more cottages and then eventually, as the road bends sharply right, go straight ahead and follow signposts for Coed y Cwm. Continue along the woodland path, which can be muddy in places.

6: Look out for a slightly open area on the right, which is an old quarry. Immediately after this there’s a small way-marker on the right pointing upwards. Follow this rough and steep track to a path at the top. Turn left then the path levels out to pass a small bench on the left. Follow this track to an old stone wall; turn right uphill.

7: At the top, go through the gate/stile and continue ahead along the left edge of the field to another gate/stile ahead. Cross this and follow the fingerpost along the right edge of the field this time. Pass through a broken stile and bear half left over the field, passing between two derelict barns to another stile.

8: Cross it and turn left along the lane towards the sea. Stay ahead, ignoring a track on the left and continue for a short distance to a gate on the left. Go through this and follow the narrow path along the edge of the golf course.

9: Soon after passing the club house on the right, find a stone stile on the left. Cross this into Parc Penglais woodland and stay ahead through a short open area. At the end bear right, then soon go right again up a short path that curves left along the top of an old wall. Look for some stone steps on the right; take these to reach the viewpoint and continue to the interpretation boards below.

10: Re-trace your steps a few paces to a path on the right (just before the stone steps up to the higher viewpoint). Take this and then turn right again at the path junction and follow the stony track downhill. This soon leads out of the woods and emerges on the bend of a road. Turn left then almost immediately left again for a rougher track.

11: Walk downhill, bearing left when you meet North Road to the main road (Northgate Street). Turn right, then just after the pedestrian crossing and traffic junction stay ahead to walk down North Parade, with its rows of elegant terrace houses. Continue ahead through Owain Glyndwr Square and ahead again along Great Darkgate Street. At the clock, turn right along Pier Street and follow this to meet Marine Terrace at the end. Turn right and back to the start.

**These directions are for guidance only. The Oakeley Arms can accept no responsibility for any loss, damage or injury resulting from the use of this information. The information quoted is correct at the time of writing. Always take a map with you and be prepared for the weather for turn. Do not venture out in bad weather

The National Library of Wales (80 words)

After a long battle with Cardiff over where Wales’ national library should be housed, Aberystwyth won in 1907. The majestic building was designed by Sidney Greenslade and was opened in 1916. Today, this beautiful library houses over 4 million printed books and manuscripts. It keeps the first ever Welsh book (printed in 1546) as well as the famous Book of Taliesin, which dates from the early 14^th century.

It is open to the public. See www.llgc.org.uk for details and hours.