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Official Visitors Guide
2014
www.visitaberdovey.co.uk | 1
Aberdyfi from the Air
Discover Aberdyfi
Aberdyfi boasts some
of the finest beaches in
Britain with four miles of
golden sand-dune backed
shoreline running north to
Tywyn. The championship
links golf course lies to the
landward side of the dunes.
The beaches are popular
with sunbathers, swimmers,
surfers and fishermen
while the estuary attracts a
wide range of water sports
enthusiasts.
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You don’t need to travel too far
from Aberdyfi to find a different
world - that of spectacular
mountain and valley scenery. The
peaks of the Cader Idris and Aran
Fawddwy ranges are within easy
reach and are complimented by
the charm of the Dyfi and Dysynni
valleys nearby. An ideal area for
walkers, climbers and wildlife
watchers.
Aberdyfi is also an ideal base
for visiting many of the major
attractions in North Wales and Mid
Wales.
Whether you use your visit to
Aberdyfi as a base for your
explorations, or a relaxing family
Index
Time & Tide Bell
break in beautiful surroundings
we have all the information in this
guide to meet your needs and to
keep you coming back for more.
From our myths and legends of
King Arthur, to what you can find
and explore in and around Aberdyfi
and our neighbouring towns and
villages.
You’re only a page turn away from
discovering something new and
exciting that you may not have
known before.
For more information on events
and things to do in and around
Aberdyfi, come and visit us online at
www.visitaberdovey.co.uk
Discover Aberdyfi
2-3
Welcome
4-5
Mountain Rescue
6-7
Family Day Out
8-9
Yacht Club
10 - 11
Dyfi Biosphear
12 - 13
Time & Tide Bell
14
Osprey Project
15
RSPB Reserve
16 - 17
Otter Watch
18 - 19
Walk With A View
20 - 21
Kittiwake Walk
22 - 23
On Your Bike
24 - 25
A Green With A View
26 - 27
Aberdovey Bike Ride
28 - 29
Events
30 - 31
Places To Stay
32 - 39
Myths & Legends
40 - 41
Bells Of Aberdyfi
42 - 43
Malachy Doyle
44
Aberdyfi Lifeboat
46 - 47
Rowing To Victory
48 - 49
Aberdovey To Pennal
50 - 51
Set Sail To Aberdovey
52 - 53
Talyllyn Time Table
59
www.visitaberdovey.co.uk | 3
Croeso / Welcome
Here we are on the banks of
the beautiful Dyfi Estuary – ever
changing with the ebb and
flow of the awesome tide. Yet
strangely constant, the timeless
witness to the endeavours of
man and the cry of the gull.
Aberdyfi. Truly unique and
picturesque, nestling between
the sand and the hills. Brooding
quietly with memories of
Victorian glory and the bustle of
ship building and commerce yet
alive and vibrant to the noise and
colour of summer holidays; blue
seas, yellow sand, buckets and
spades, crabbing and donkey
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rides, with an occasional shower
of rain on the green hills.
The A493 is not the busiest road
in Wales but in the times gone by
the Dyfi was a busy highway.
Roman keels would have
plied their way through these
waters on their way to the
Roman station at Pennal.
Perhaps navigating the river as
it meandered its way through
the low coastal plain of Cantre’r
Gwaelod – the bottom Hundred
inundated by the sea in the
5th century, the peal of the
drowned bells giving us the Bells
of Aberdyfi echoed today by our
Time and Tide Bell located under
the jetty.
This great expanse of sea and
sand is the geographic, historic
and cultural divide between
North and South Wales with the
ancient Dyfi Ferry providing the
strategic link. A place for great
meetings such as the gathering
of the Welsh princes and rulers
held by Llywelyn Fawr (the Great)
in 1216, maybe the first Welsh
Parliament. Eight hundred years
later, whatever your reason to
be in Aberdyfi, come, take in
the history and mystery and the
breath taking scenery. Enjoy the
sailing, rowing, fishing, golfing
and walking and so much more.
Our beautiful language is alive
and well in this special Welsh
village and so let us look forward
with confidence into this century
with success and prosperity
for the many varied shops and
businesses, our restaurants
and bars, chapels and churches
and our world famous Outward
Bound centre.
Welcome, and welcome back.
Croeso a chroese yn ‘ol.
David Roberts
www.visitaberdovey.co.uk
www.visitaberdovey.co.uk|| 5
Mountain Rescue
Aberdyfi Search &
Rescue Team is a charity
funded and volunteer
operated organisation
which provides a Search
and Rescue service 24
hours a day, 365 days a
year in wild and remote
locations throughout
South Snowdonia and Mid
Wales.
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The team was established in 1973,
and was originally named Outward
Bound Wales Search and Rescue
Team, as it drew heavily on the staff
of the world famous establishment
at Aberdyfi. Now membership
is much wider, and as well as
outdoor instructors, our volunteers
include architects, artists, builders,
hoteliers, engineers, teachers, and
the odd bee-keeper. All give up a
large amount of their time to train
and provide a voluntary search and
rescue service day or night, all year
round.
If you would like to help us
raise funds for our work, please
donate through our website at
www.aberdyfi-sart.org.uk
The team covers a geographically
large area of remote and wild
countryside stretching from the
Mawddach Estuary in the north, to
the Dyfi estuary in the south, and
almost as far as Newtown to the
east. In addition we work closely
with our colleagues in the adjacent
teams to help cover the Southern
Rhinogydd and down to the moors
and hills around Aberystwyth.
All of our vehicles and equipment
are funded through charitable
donations.
www.visitaberdovey.co.uk | 7
A Family Day out
In the spectacular foothills
of Cader Idris lies Tywyn,
the home of the very first
preserved railway in the
world. Dating back to 1865,
the Talyllyn Railway, built
to serve the Bryn Eglwys
Slate Quarries, has never
closed. After the slate
quarries ceased to function,
and closure threatened the
line, a group of enthusiasts
formed the Talyllyn Railway
Preservation Society and
managed to take over in
1951.
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These days things are very different.
The whole Railway is maintained by
a small paid staff and a large pool of
enthusiastic and skilled volunteers.
Now in addition to working on track
maintenance, volunteer engineers,
drivers, firemen, guards and others
necessary for the running of the
trains perform most of the day to
day tasks.
Your train could well be driven
by a dentist, with the fireman a
student or perhaps a highly skilled
motor engineer, and the guard a
vicar, with youngsters on holiday
from school being trained for
responsible jobs in years to come.
The signalman, or blockman as we
call them, might well be a retired
professional railwayman.
Talyllyn Railway
Riding the trains is far more than
a simple journey up and down
the seven and a half mile railway.
There are walks into the hills from
most stations; you could spend a
spectacular day exploring Dolgoch
Falls, visit the remains of the slate
quarries, walk to the remains of
Castell – Bere in the next valley, try
a meal in a local hostelry, or stay
around the railway and enjoy a hot
meal in our King’s Restaurant at
Tywyn or a snack at Abergynolwyn
Tea Room.
Don’t forget the free Narrow
Gauge Railway Museum at Tywyn
Wharf, which displays a fascinating
collection of large and small exhibits
explaining the development of
narrow gauge railways in the UK.
Children will also enjoy the
Railway Adventure Playground at
Abergynolwyn station. There’s fun
for all the family and we hope the
warm welcome you receive from
our friendly staff and volunteers will
encourage you to come and see us
again.
For more details see our website
www.talyllyn.co.uk.
Plan your day out with
our time table on
page 59
Or visit us at
www.talyllyn.co.uk
www.visitaberdovey.co.uk | 9
Aberdovey Yacht Club
The Yacht Club
This very friendly club caters for
dinghies, cruisers, sailboards
and kitesurfers. It is probably
the best located sailing club
in Wales with stunning views
over the Dovey estuary. With
refurbished changing rooms,
showers and toilets, we offer
excellent facilities both for
sailing and for social events.
There is a healthy dinghy fleet
including GP14s, Lasers, RS
Visions, RS Fevas, 49ers and
many others, a thriving junior
fleet of Toppers including many
club boats, a buzzing kitesurfing
scene and friendly cruiser fleet
racing. Boats are often bought
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and sold within the Club and there
is always advice on hand to help
you acquire your own pride and joy.
On Friday evenings in the summer
social sailing is open to everyone,
all abilities, where you can practise
some skills, do some fun racing, go
for a gentle sail, or a blast!
For 2014 we have a packed
programme of national and local
sailing events and competitions,
coaching weekends (an experienced
team of coaches will help you get
the most from your sailing, so that
you perform better and, more
importantly, enjoy it more), Kitefest
and Boardwise events, and regatta
weeks. For more details please
check out the race calendar and
social events pages on the web site
(www.doveyyachtclub.org.uk).
If you would like any further
information on the Club and what it
could offer you and your
family (at present we are offering
half-price introductory family
membership for 2014), or to join a
training course, please get in touch
with us - we look forward to seeing
you on the water.
What we offer:
Dinghy and Yacht racing.
Cruising in company.
Windsurfing and Boardwise
weekends.
Learning to sail, adult and children
– we have Royal Yacht Association
Training Status.
Social events in a friendly club house
with lounge, bar and galley (available
to hire for private functions).
Contacts:
Commodore – Bob Usher (01654
767580), [email protected]
Membership Secretary –
David Mason, (01622 542788),
[email protected]
Sailing Secretary – Rupert Tildesley,
[email protected]
Take a look at the events page
for Yacht Club events this year.
P30 - 31
www.visitaberdovey.co.uk | 11
Biosffer Dyfi
Edrychwch o’ch cwmpas – rydych
mewn ardal arbennig o ran ei
harddwch, treftadaeth, bywyd
gwyllt a mwy. Mae Bro Ddyfi ac
Aberystwyth wedi ei chydnabod gan
UNESCO fel Gwarchodfa Biosffer ers
2009, y cyntaf o'i fath yng Nghymru.
Tyrchwch i mewn i goedlannau,
tir corsiog a natur de’r aber yn
Ngwarchodfa RSPB yn Ynyshir
(01654 700222). Beth am ymweld
â chanolfan Gwarchodfa Natur
Genedlaethol Dyfi yn Ynyslas (01970
872900), lle mae afon Ddyfi’n cwrdd
â’r môr? Ceisiwch gael cipolwg
ar weilch y pysgod yng Nghors
Dyfi (01654 781414), un o ddwy
warchodfa Ymddiriedolaeth Natur
Sir Drefaldwyn yn y dyffryn.
Gall fws neu drên fod yn rhan o
12 | www.visitaberdovey.co.uk
brofiad eich gwyliau! Traveline
Cymru sy’n gallu rhoi’r wybodaeth
ddiweddaraf i chi ynghylch
trafnidiaeth gyhoeddus – galwch
nhw ar 0871 200 22 33.
Arferai’r ardal hon fod yn gartref i
ddiwydiant llechi ffyniannus. Mae
Canolfan y Dechnoleg Amgen (01654
705950) wedi’i hadeiladu ar hen
chwarel. Mae Labyrinth y Brenin
Arthur (01654 761584) yn gwneud
defnydd clyfar o hen dwneli’r
chwarelwyr, ac mae digonedd
o adfeilion hen fythynnod llechi
hynaws i’w darganfod ar y bryniau.
The Dyfi Biosphere
Look around – you’re in an area
known for its beauty, heritage,
wildlife and more. The Dyfi Valley
with Aberystwyth has been
recognised by UNESCO as a
Biosphere Reserve since 2009, the
first of its kind in Wales.
Delve into woodland, marshland and
southern-estuary nature at the RSPB
reserve at Ynys-hir (01654 700222).
Visit the Dyfi National Nature
Reserve centre at Ynyslas (01970
872900), where the Dyfi meets the
sea on the southern side of the
estuary. Try spotting the ospreys
at Cors Dyfi (01654 781414), one of
two Montgomeryshire Wildlife Trust
reserves in the valley.
Make the bus and train part of the
holiday experience! Traveline Cymru
is the real-time information provider
for public transport – call them on
0871 200 22 33.
This area was once home to a
burgeoning slate mining industry.
The Centre for Alternative
Technology (01654 705950) is built
in an old quarry. King Arthur’s
Labyrinth (01654 761584) makes
clever use of the old miners’ tunnels.
And there are plenty of atmospheric,
tumbledown slate cottages to
discover up in the hills.
www.visitaberdovey.co.uk | 13
Bell Under Jetty
Time & Tide Bell
Aberdovey’s time & tide bell
was installed in July 2011. It is in
reference to an ancient Gaelic
legend and song about the kingdom
of Cantre’r Gwaelod, a kingdom now
submerged beneath Cardigan Bay.
The origins of the legend are lost in
the mists of time, but the ancient
Gaelic legend perhaps refers to
ice melt at the end of the last ice
age, the inundation of the land,
and the formation of the bay. It
is said that its bells can be heard
ringing beneath the water. At low
tide sometimes the tree stumps
of ancient forests are revealed.
Radio carbon dating suggests that
these trees died around 3500 BC.
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A stainless steel grille was installed
in the jetty floor so you can stand
above the bell as it becomes
submerged and then revealed by the
tide.
Monty
Dyfi Osprey project
The Dyfi Osprey Project will have
a whole new lease of life in 2014
- Montgomeryshire Wildlife Trust
have been building a state-of-the-art
360 Observatory! This new building
will literally take osprey and wildlife
watching and learning to a whole
new level.
Just 200 metres away from the Dyfi
osprey nest, visitors will be able to
view and photograph the famous
osprey pair from a safe and elevated
position. The 360 Observatory is
a first of it’s kind in the UK, a truly
iconic stage to engage with wildlife.
The male osprey Monty, and his
partner Glesni, produced two chicks
in 2013, two very large females!
The sisters won’t return from their
African wintering grounds until 2015
but Monty and Glesni will return in
March for another breeding season.
The pair have become famous after
being showcased on the BBC’s
Springwatch and Autumnwatch
programmes over the last three
years and the HD Live Streaming
was watched by almost two million
people in 2013 in over 60 countries.
The Dyfi Osprey Project visitor
centre is open daily from April
2014 from 10am to 6pm and it’s
just £2.50 per adult for a day’s
visit, children go FREE!
www.visitaberdovey.co.uk | 15
The RSPB Reserve
800 hectares in the middle
of the Dyfi estuary is owned
and managed by the RSPB.
It is of course, the beautiful
RSPB
Ynys-hir
reserve.
The reserve is situated
on the southern side of
the estuary 6 miles south
of Machynlleth, 12 miles
north of Aberystwyth in the
heart of the Dyfi Biosphere
Reserve.
The reserve hosts a terrific mix of
habitats, from moorland hillside down
to sessile oak woodlands with peat
bog, reedbed, freshwater pools and
finally saltmarsh. This wonderful mix
means that there is a huge variety
of wildlife and contrasts. In the
summer you can wander through the
woods displaying a magical carpet of
spring flowers including, bluebells,
celandines and campion whilst in the
trees and undergrowth some of the
most stunning migrant nesting birds
can be spotted. Redstarts and pied fly
catchers in particular.
Walk along the boardwalk and
wetland trail and keep your eyes
open for various dragonflies and
damselflies zooming along.
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This is also ideal habitat for spotting
lizards and even grass snakes
basking on warm sunny days.
During the winter months the
lowland wet grassland and estuary,
hosts a variety of wintering waders
and wildfowl. Two hours either side
of high tide is a good time to visit as
the birds move up the estuary with
the rising water. Wrap up warm and
head out to Saltings or Breakwater
hides for views of lapwing, teal,
pintail shelduck and barnacle geese.
However, the lovely thing about
visiting Ynys-hir is that you don’t
have to be a bird expert to enjoy a
visit, there are 6 miles of well marked
trails that will take you through some
lovely countryside and offer stunning
views of the surrounding area. We
have a family friendly trail where you
can take up the challenge of finding
brass rubbings and throughout
the year we run a variety of events
and activities from family wildlife
sessions to stargazing, so it’s worth
checking out the website to see if
anything takes your fancy.
Lots of you may be familiar with the
reserve from having watched the last
couple of series of BBC Springwatch
which was filmed here using our
tractor shed as their studio and
introducing much of our wildlife
to audiences through the 40 live
cameras that were placed around
the site.
Facilities:
7 hides from where to watch birds,
wildlife or simply take in the views.
Visitor centre open daily: 9am5pm April – October, 10am-4pm
November – March.
Hands-on activities, exhibitions and
refreshments – Light snacks and
drinks.
Picnic tables and toilets.
Entrance is free to RSPB members;
Non Members - £5 adults, £2.50
Children.
For more information.
Tel: 01654 700222
www.rspb.org.uk/ynys-hir
Having said that, nothing replaces
experiencing it for real, so bring a
picnic and come and spend the day
in one of the RSPB’s most beautiful
reserves.
www.visitaberdovey.co.uk | 17
Otter Watch!
Otters have the reputation
of being largely nocturnal
and secretive. They have
been present in Aberdovey
for many years, but were
rarely seen until last
summer.
In full view of visitors to the
beach and jetty, two otters began
fishing in daylight, and sharing
the shoreline and beach with the
holiday visitors. To everyone’s
delight, they also swam with the
sail boards and canoes in the
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estuary, and made themselves at
home with summer activities.
People watched them catching
their favourite eels, flounders
and dabs, with the occasional
larger fish, and they hunted
round the jetty for crabs. They
gave wonderful opportunities for
photography and a chance to see,
at close quarters, what is still a
rare animal.
By their very nature, otters travel
to and fro in their large home
ranges, but Aberdovey looks
forward to welcoming them back
as the days lengthen.
In spite of their apparent
tameness, we do not forget
that they are truly wild animals,
and the community Council has
reminded everyone that they
should be treated with respect,
and not to be approached too
closely, in case they bite.
Their presence in the Dovey
estuary confirms the quality of
the natural environment in the
area. From the special sea bass
nursery in the estuary, to the
dolphins in Cardigan Bay, and
the seals along the coast, there is
much to see from a wildlife point
of view.
Bird life also flourishes here,
and the breeding success of the
Glandyfi Ospreys, (featuring on
BBC’s Springwatch programme)
is of much interest. They can be
seen fishing in the estuary when
they return from Africa again
summer.
D Hughes & Son
Quality Ladies & Gents
Casual Clothing
01654 767 260
Open all year 9am - 5pm
www.visitaberdovey.co.uk | 19
A walk with a view
Aberdovey is a great holiday
destination. Picturesque, lively,
and situated in a glorious
south-facing location sheltered
by the mountains of southern
Snowdonia. There’s a pretty
harbour with colourful sailing
boats and, of course, a fabulous
clean and sandy beach with safe
bathing.
If you enjoy walking, the miles
of sand with stunning views of
the Dyfi estuary will attract you
like a magnet. It’s great place for
old and young and their fourlegged friends (away from the
dog-free area in front of the main
car park). You can take a stroll
along the sands – or maybe walk
the four-or-so miles between
Aberdovey and the neighbouring
resort of Tywyn, terminus of the
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Talyllyn Steam Railway, perhaps
using public transport for the
outward or return journey.
Aberdovey is on the beautiful
Cambrian Coast Railway Line, and
there are local buses.
Having got into your stride, you
may want to explore some more
great walks in and around the
southern part of the Snowdonia
National Park with a Kittiwake
guide book. These very popular
and affordable guides each
feature twenty rewarding walks,
clearly described and graded for
difficulty, so there’s something
for everyone to enjoy.
From your base in Aberdovey
you could explore the beautiful
Dysynni Valley (possibly from the
Talyllyn Railway), magical Castell
y Bere, curious Birds’ Rock,
serene Talyllyn Lake and majestic
Cadair Idris. Kittiwake has some
of the very best walks in the area
for you. Nearer to base there’s
remote and rocky ‘Happy Valley’
(Cwm Maethlon) with its ‘Bearded
Lake’ (Llyn Barfog), which is the
subject of an Arthurian story
involving a magical cow.
Happy Valley joins the
Aberdovey/Machynlleth road
near Pennal and there are good
woodland and riverside walks
there. However, before heading
off to explore these, why not
pull on your shoes and enjoy a
three-and-a-half mile walk with
a breathtaking panoramic view
of Cardigan Bay, starting from
the very heart of Aberdovey, as
detailed in this book.
You can get your Kittiwake
guides, which are only
£4.95 each, from the Tourist
Information Centre on the
seafront in Aberdovey, or from
www.kittiwake-books.co.uk.
Talyllyn Railway
Coastal Path
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Kittiwake walks
Start from The Tourist Information Centre, Aberdyfi. SN 614959.
1
From the Tourist Information Centre walk to the RIGHT, then take the
first LEFT into Copperhill Street. Continue up the street, passing under
the railway bridge.
2
After the fifth house beyond the railway bridge, take the path to the LEFT,
which climbs uphill, and is joined by a path from the right just after No 2
Bryniau-Isaf. Turn sharp RIGHT here and climb steeply up this path. Continue
ahead when the path widens and becomes a tarmac road. Continue along the
road, passing between houses to join another road.
3
Cross this road, and go through the wooden gate opposite. Turn LEFT,
following the direction indicated by the arrow. As you climb, superb
coastal views open up. The path follows the edge of the field, climbing gently,
then quite steeply, to reach a stile.
4
Cross the stile, and continue with a fence to your left. Cross another stile
in the corner of the field, and carry on ahead, to eventually descend to
the footpath arrow to the right-hand side of Trefeddian Farm. Cross the small
stream by the sign, go through the gate and turn LEFT following the direction
indicated to walk around the back of the farm buildings. Go through the
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waymarked gateway, then turn RIGHT passing caravans. After about 15 yards,
look down to locate a small footbridge over a stream, with a stile just beyond.
Descend to the stream and cross them both.
5
From the stile, walk ahead, uphill, for about 10 yards to reach a small
brow, then walk half-LEFT across the field, with a low summit to the right
and a small outcrop of stones to your left. Soon the handsome, but derelict,
stone buildings of Trefeddian-fach come into view. Walk past these and
continue ahead, following the path between low summits. The path joins a
track. Turn LEFT to reach a tarmac lane, which you follow down through Cwm
Safn-ast.
6
Now pass through a gate, opposite the cemetery, turn LEFT and go
through a gate to reach the coast road. Cross the road, veering slightly
RIGHT, to go down waymarked track to the railway. Pass through the gates
and CAREFULLY cross the railway, looking and listening for trains. Continue
ahead along the path. You are now crossing Aberdyfi Golf Course, so watch
out for fast moving golf balls! Continue to cross a wooden walkway to the
beach. Turn LEFT to return to Aberdyfi along the
sands.
This walk is taken from ‘Walks in the Dyfi Valley’,
which contains 19 more walks and is published by
Kittiwake. Copies are available at Aberdyfi Tourist
Information Centre.
DANGER!
CROSS
WITH
CARE!
6
Cwm
Safan-ast Trefeddian Fach
(ruin)
5
Trefeddian Farm
Old Coastguard
Station
0 Yards
440
0 Metres
400
© Kittiwake Books Limited 2014
Yr Horon
A493
Trefeddian
Hotel
4
3
ABERDYFI
2
1
Station
RNLI
A f o n
START
D y f i
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On your Bike
The Cambrian Coast Sportive
takes in some of the UK's most
spectacular countryside. Starting
from Aberdovey and set entirely
within the Snowdonia National
Park, the routes follow the
coast and beaches, climb the
mountains, skirt around lakes
and descend through forests,
making this arguably the most
scenic sportive ride in the
country.
In this sparsely populated part of the
country, well over half of each route
is done on minor back roads with
smooth tarmac and where cars are
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24
seldom seen allowing riders to ride
happily side by side.
Highlights of the routes includes the
spectacular Cregennan Lakes with its
views over the Mawddach Estuary,
the coastal road to Fairbourne (10km)
right by the sea, the crossing of three
estuary bridges and the mighty Bwlch
y Groes (aka Hellfire Pass) which is
the highest piece of tarmac in Wales
and features in Simon Warren's '100
Greatest Cycling Climbs'.
The routes are comprehensively
marshalled and sign-posted with 3
feed-stations (5 on the Long route)
and riders benefit from electronic
chip timing.
Take time to explore the routes,
view the photos and register online
via our simple rider entry form. We
look forward to welcoming you in
September 2014.
The Cambrian Coast Sportive
is proud to be part of the Celtic
Series of cycling events. For more
information on the series and other
events you can enter please see the
welsh cycling events website.
www.welshcyclingevents.co.uk
www.visitaberdovey.co.uk|| 25
25
www.visitaberdovey.co.uk
A Green with a view
The earliest golf course at Aberdovey
boasted no more than nine holes,
these being flower pots sunk into
the turf. However there was soon a
realization as to just how splendid
the links land was and the Club was
founded in 1892 with the first 18
hole course measuring some 5,540
yards.
Three of the legendary architects
of the early 20th century, Harry Colt,
James Braid and Herbert Fowler,
have all had a hand in shaping
Aberdovey as it stands today.
Over the years the Club has been
graced by many famous visitors;
Taylor and Braid in the very early
days and, much more recently, we
are proud to have Ian Woosnam
and Peter Baker, respectively
Captain and Vice-Captain of the 2006
European Ryder Cup team, amongst
our Members.
Perhaps the Member who made the
greatest impact upon the Club over
many years was Bernard Darwin. He
has frequently been described as
the father of sports writers and set
new standards of golf writing. His
books remain valuable collectors’
items even now. A grandson of the
famous naturalist, Charles Darwin,
as a child Bernard witnessed the
creation of the original Aberdovey
course and, throughout his long
and distinguished career as golf
correspondent for The Times and
Country Life, and in his many classic
books on the game, he wrote
frequently and lyrically about the
delights of golf at Aberdovey. In
12th Green
26 | www.visitaberdovey.co.uk
www.visitaberdovey.co.uk
his own words Aberdovey was the
course that his “soul loved best of
all the courses in the world” and
“about this one course in the world,
I am a hopeless and shameful
sentimentalist and I glory in my
shame”.
Over the years that the Club
has existed it has played host to
many national and international
competitions. The Welsh Seniors’
Championship has made Aberdovey
its usual home and, redolent of
the Darwin era, the Welsh Hickory
Championships are also held
annually here. With British Ladies’
Home Internationals, and GUW
Championships hosted over the
years, Aberdovey truly is a fine test
of links golf.
The exhilarating start to the round
sees you introduced at the earliest
opportunity to the rustic joys of
links golf; tight lies, rolling fairways,
undulating approaches, dry-firm
surfaces and fast greens are all here
in abundance.
The course strategy asks for a variety
of shots and infinite creativity. The
hazards are numerous, deceptive
and sometimes hidden. Like any
great links course what you see
is often not what you get, but it’s
never penal. No-matter their skill,
each golfer will find their own ‘line
of charm’ for the course. As with the
great Scottish links, quirky features
abound throughout the course
e.g. blind-shots, wooden railway
sleepers, the railway itself that skirts
the inland portion of the course.
And, typical of courses designed by
James Braid, each of the four par 3
holes faces a different direction.
The coastal setting with its ever
changing tides and winds ensures
that conditions alter on a frequent
basis. Club selection is therefore all
the more important. You will need
every club in the bag - and probably
more than one way to play them.
Aberdovey is without doubt a
living testament to the unique
characteristics of links golf.
www.visitaberdovey.co.uk
www.visitaberdovey.co.uk|| 27
Aberdovey Bike Ride
The summer of 1993
saw the first ride from
Wolverhampton Police
station to the Welsh coast,
rounding up 30 police officers
and one support vehicle
driven by an officer who
didn’t fancy the exertion. Who
carried the essential supplies,
96 cans of lager donated
by Bank’s Brewery! They all
made it to Aberdovey and
after suitable refreshment
took a coach home.
28 | www.visitaberdovey.co.uk
During the organisation the decision
to raise money for charity was made,
and chose the Compton Hospice in
Wolverhampton. Which benefited
that year to the tune of £3,000.
The following year the Yacht club’s
facilities where taken advantage of
to change, eat and receive suitable
refreshments, and not a lot has
changed since. All the riders still get
Chilli and jacket potatoes when they
arrive. Cooked by Mark Hesbrook, a
fantastic chef and in return money
is donated to his chosen charity.
Newport Cottage Care.
The weather has always been a
battle for the riders heading out
to the West coast, usually the wind
being the problem. From fabulous
sunshine to totally soaked through
an hour later. Over the 21 years, the
riders and supporters have managed
to raise thousands of pounds to
benefit local charities.
There have been a few scrapes along
the way - from riders ending up in
Newtown hospital, only to insist on
being driven to the yacht club so that
they can get started that little bit
earlier on the food and drink. 2013
saw two riders with broken arms and
another one hospitalised with knee
ligament damage, again, only to see
them rush to the Yacht club for their
famous hospitality!
Last year over £60,000 was raised
by the 500 riders who completed
the ride, and 2014 sees them taking
on an extra three day challenge
– cycling stage two of the Tour de
France from York to Sheffield to
Wolverhampton and then the Finally
to Aberdovey.
The event has proved hugely popular
over the years, with riders coming
as far as Australia to take part! It has
raised a huge amount of money for
charity, and is a great way for keen
cyclists to challenge themselves, and
show their charitable spirit at the
same time.
If you think you can take on
the challenge of the Aberdovey
bike ride and would like to find
out more information visit the
website.
www.aberdoveybikeride.co.uk
www.visitaberdovey.co.uk | 29
April20th May25th
Village Family Event – Easter Bonnet
Parade/Easter Activities/Easter Egg
Hunt 11-1.30pm
‘May Gathering’ - Hog Roast and
Ceilidh in the Neudd Dyfi. Starts
7.30pm. Tickets £10
Easter Quiz - £2 to enter. Prize draw
Easter Monday.
May29th
‘10 Commando Challenge’ Fun Run
for Help for Heroes
May31/1st June14th
UKWA Windsurf National
Championship
Boardwise Weekend
Aberdovey Wheel Fest
Locals and Car Clubs to display
classic and vintage cars to the
public.
July4/6th June27th
Supernova National Championships
Single-handed racing dinghy
championships run by Dovey Yacht
Club
The Wolverhampton to Aberdovey
Charity Bike Ride
July12/13th July26th/1st
BKSA National Kitesurfing
Championships. Kitefest Weekend
RNLI Lifeboat Week
fundraising activities for all the
family
July30th Aug5/6/7th
The Welsh Open Crabbing
Championships
www.visitaberdovey.co.uk
30 | www.visitaberdovey.co.uk
Lantern Making 10-12am. Followed
by Festival of Light and Lantern
Procession along the beach
commences 9pm - Fireworks display
to music.
August9th August16th
RNLI Music Festival
Good music to listen and dance
to.
Brass band concert in the Neuadd
Dyfi
Great music with award winning
musicians from around the country
August17th Aug
Laser/Solo/GP14 Open Day
Dinghy racing open meeting run by
Dovey Yacht Club
8th/22nd
Laser/Solo/GP14 Open Week
Topper Week
Dinghy racing regatta week run by
Dovey Yacht Club
Sep13th Sep20th
The Cambrian Coast Sportive
The event starts and finishes in
Aberdovey, routes follow the coast,
beaches and mountains, making
this arguably the most scenic
sportive cycle ride in the country.
Run by Welsh Cycling Events
Picnic In The Park to be held at
Penhelig Park, Live Band
October31st
Kids Halloween Fancy Dress Party
venue Neuadd Dyfi
Nov29th Dec6/7th
Village Christmas Gathering
Turning on the Christmas Tree
Lights, Carol Singing, Santa’s Grotto,
Mulled Wine and Mince Pies
Dec13th
Kids Christmas Party at
Neuadd Dyfi
Party Games, Santa Visit, Food And
Drinks 2 – 5pm
Village Xmas Fayre in and around
the village/square - Ice Skating Rink.
To keep up to date with all the
events and more go to
www.visitaberdovey.co.uk
www.visitaberdovey.co.uk
www.visitaberdovey.co.uk || 31
Understanding the adverts...
All accommodation featured in this
publication has been assessed by
Visit Wales and has been graded
accordingly to the quality and
facilities on offer, giving you peace
of mind in choosing your stay in
Aberdovey.
A lower star accommodation may
still offer high quality but do not
meet all of the facility and services
expectations for the higher star
ratings.
What do our star ratings mean?
Simple, practical , no frills
Well presented & well run
The Visit Wales stars are your
guide to quality. Accommodation
operators are graded between one
and five stars based on the overall
quality of the experience and
facilities available.
Good quality & comfort
Very good
Excellent
Symbols Key
Wi-Fi Access
No Smoking
Restaurant
Access statements
TV in rooms
Short breaks available
En-suite Rooms
Credit cards accepted
Kids Welcome
Tea/ Coffee facilities
Outside Space
Pets Welcome
Cooking Facilities
Toilets
Swimming Pool
Laundry Facilities
Showers
Lifts
Licensed
Play Area
32 | www.visitaberdovey.co.uk
Electric hook-up
Caravan & campsites
Trefeddian Hotel
Tywyn Road, Aberdovey LL35 0SB
Visit
Aberdovey
Rooms: 59
£65 - 120 pp


Hotels &
Inns
Places to stay
A Warm Welcome to
The Sunflower Café
Breakfasts served all day
Lunches, Lighter Snacks
and Children’s Meals
Home Made Cakes
Hot and Chilled Drinks
A choice of Tables Inside
and Outdoor with Dyfi views
Open 9am-5pm
February until November
and until 7.30pm in the
summer holidays
Tel: 01654 767155
Relax in our family run hotel
situated just outside Aberdovey.
With spacious lounges, stunning
sea views, indoor heated swimming
pool and lift to all floors, its an ideal
place to stay in comfort and enjoy
the ever changing views.
Accommodation is offered on a half
board basis
(dinner, bed & breakfast)
01654 767 213
www.trefwales.com
www.visitaberdovey.co.uk | 33
Chalet 17
Woodlands Holiday Park, Bryncrug
Visit
Aberdovey
Sleeps: 4
£280 - £400
Self Catering
Accommodation
Places to stay
Our delightful chalet is in a
peaceful, elevated position within
the grounds of Woodlands Holiday
Park and Country Club, and enjoys
magnificent views of the Snowdonia
National Park.
01568 780 912
www.wiz.to/seventeen
Gogarth Hall Farm
Aberdovey Road, Pennal, SY20 9LB
Sleeps: 4-6
£150 - £650
Celtic House
Aberdovey, Gwynedd LL35 0LL
Sleeps: 8
£400 - £1025
Gogarth Hall farm is situated within
the Snowdonia National Park in a
peaceful part of Mid Wales, with
stunning views overlooking the river
Dyfi and the Cambrian mountains.
Well furnished “Home from
Home” in the heart of the village.
Our prominent position offers
picturesque views of the estuary
and provides easy access to the
restaurants, pubs and amenities.
01654 791235
01654 767 274
www.gogarthhallfarm.co.uk
34 | www.visitaberdovey.co.uk
www.celtichouse.co.uk
Trefeddian
Hotel Cottages
Pant Y Neuadd
Aberdovey,
Gwynedd
LL35 0SB
Aberdovey
Road,
Tywyn, LL36 9HW
Tel: 01654 767213 Fax: 01654 767777
E:
[email protected]
Cottages:
3
£230 - £530
www.trefwales.com
Relax in our family run hotel situated just
outside Aberdovey.
With its spacious lounges, stunning sea views,
indoor heated swimming pool and lift to all
floors, it is an ideal place to stay in comfort
and enjoy the ever changing views.
Accommodation is offered on half board
(Dinner, Room & Breakfast)
Three cosy, fully equipped, self
Indoor
Heatedcottages
Swimming Pool
catering
located on the
Lift to all floors
outskirts of Tywyn, just 3 miles
9 Hole Putting Green
from Aberdovy. Sleeping 2 – 4, the
Indoor and Outdoor Play Area
cottages
have
Full
Size Tennis
Court ample parking and
are open throughout the year.
OPEN All Year
Price per person per night
Half Board (Dinner, Room and Breakfast)
Min: £61 Max: £110
pantyneuaddcaravanpark.co.uk
Rooms:
59
01654 711 393
Aberdovey
Literary
Institute
The Literary Institute is one of the few
buildings on the sea side of the promenade.
The reading room is open all year for
visitors to enjoy peace, tranquillity & views
as they read the papers. Snooker & free
Wi-Fi also available.
New members welcome, please call;
01654 711 200
Total Body Therapy
Open Daily
10am - 8pm
Times May Vary
Gift Vouchers
Available
Whether you have a moment in your lunch hour to maintain
your manicure or time to de-stress and relax, total body
Therapy is the perfect place for you.
Located on the top floor of the Trefeddian Hotel we recommend
you spare some time before your appointment to unwind on
the beautiful balcony overlooking Cardigan Bay.
Acupuncture Massage Facials
Bach Flower Remedy Bowen Technique
Reflexology Allergy Testing Manicures
Pedicures Geleration Luxury Packages
Trefeddian Hotel, Aberdovey
01654 767 213
25
www.visitaberdovey.co.uk | 35
The Vanner
Sea View Terrace, Aberdovey,LL35 0LL
Visit
Aberdovey
Bed &
Breakfast
Places to stay
From £30 pp
Rooms: 2
Vanner offers excellent Bed and
Breakfast accommodation in our
family run house. Our guests
have a lounge with stunning views
overlooking the estuary.
01654 767 274
www.thevanner.co.uk
Fron Haul
Glandovey Terrace, Aberdovey, LL36 0EB
Rooms: 5
From £45 - £95 pn
Gogarth Hall Farm
Aberdovey Road, Pennal, SY20 9LB
Rooms: 2
£30 - £35
50% for Kids under 10
Centrally located, with spectacular
views over the beautiful Dovey
estuary and a minute’s walk from
the beach. Our rates include a
choice of breakfasts served in your
room at a time to suite you.
Gogarth Hall farm is situated within
the Snowdonia National Park in a
peaceful part of Mid Wales, with
stunning views overlooking the river
Dyfi and the Cambrian mountains.
01654 767 843
01654 791235
fronhaul-aberdovey.co.uk
36 | www.visitaberdovey.co.uk
www.gogarthhallfarm.co.uk
Tyddyn Rhys
Aberdyfi, Gwynedd LL35 0PG
Tel: 01654 767769 / 07951 330835
E: [email protected]
www.tyddynrhys.co.uk
Tyddyn Rhys
Aberdyfi, Gwynedd, LL35 0PG
Rooms: 2 + Caravan
£35 - £40 pp
Tyddyn Rhys Farm is run by a Welsh speaking family and is
situated above the beautiful village of Aberdyfi, within walking
distance of the beach, pubs, restaurants and shops. We have 2
double en-suite bedrooms and a luxurious caravan available. As
a result of its elevated situation it commands panoramic views
of the Dyfi estuary and the coastline of Cardigan Bay,
stretching as far as New Quay and on a very clear
day, the tops of the Pembrokeshire hills.
Wifi available.
OPEN All Year Prices per person per night
Min: £35 Max: £40 Rooms: 2
Brig Y Don
Aberdyfi, Gwynedd, LL35 0NH
£80 - £95pr
Rooms: 2
Run by a Welsh speaking family
situated above beautiful Aberdyfi,
with panoramic views of the Dyfi
estuary & within walking distance
of the beach, pubs, restaurant &
shops.
Brig-y-Don is Aberdovey’s finest
Bed & Breakfast. The five Star
and multiple Gold Awards for
excellence awarded by Visit Wales
are testimony to this.
01654 767 769
01654 767 301
medina 1-4page advert_v2.pdf
aberdoveyaccommodation.co.uk
www.tyddynrhys.co.uk
2
2/25/14
Cartref Guest House
Aberdovey, Gwynedd, LL35 0NR
Rooms: 5
£33 - £60
Freshly Ground
On Demand
Open 6 days a week
Beautiful Edwardian house with
comfortable guest lounge &
charming verandah. Contemporary
modern accommodation, great
breakfasts & private parking with
easy access to beach & station
01654 767 273
Small Breakfast Menu
Light Lunches
Afternoon Tea Specials
Homemade Cakes
Gluten-free Available
Located
behind the Chemist
01654 767 159
cartref-aberdovey.co.uk
www.visitaberdovey.co.uk | 37
1:
Cefn Crib Holidays
Pennal, Machynlleth, Sy20 9LB
Visit
Aberdovey
Caravan &
Camping Sites
Places to stay
Pitches: 18 + Tents
A warm welcome awaits you at Cefn
Crib. Whether you want to bring
your tent, your caravan or spend
your holiday in our luxurious bell
tent, then Cefn Crib is the perfect
location.
01654 791 235
gwyliaucefncribholidays.co.uk
Tynllwyn Caravan & Camping
Bryncrug, Gwynedd LL36 9RD
Pitches: 44
£10 - £20
£15 - £27
4 Star Caravan & Camping Park with
Luxury Static Caravans for Hire.
Situated in picturesque Hamlet of
Rhydyronen overlooking Dysynni
Valley, 2.5 miles from Tywyn home
of World famous Talyllyn Railway.
01654 710 370
tynllwyncaravanpark.co.uk
38 | www.visitaberdovey.co.uk
36
and Sea View Holiday Apartments
A very warm welcome awaits you at Aberdovey Cottages
and Sea View Holiday Apartments, where our guests return
year upon year, passing on their legacy of holiday choice and
re-living their childhood memories of days gone by.
•
Sea View Holiday Apartments overlooking the beach
•
Cosy Holiday Cottages in Aberdyfi close to all amenities
•
Pets Welcome in selected properties
•
Short Breaks 2 nights or more
•
Payment by debit or credit card
•
Online booking facility
•
Properties sleeps from 2 – 8
•
Weekly rates from £195 - £825
You will find our Sea View Apartments and Holiday Cottages
spotlessly clean, with freshly ironed bed linen, heating,
electricity and one car parking permit included.
Why not Call Sue or Gary now to see what we can oﬀer you?
T 01654 767 800
M 07773 183 299
E [email protected]
W www.aberdoveycottages.co.uk
aberdoveywales
aberdoveycottages.co.uk
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www.visitaberdovey.co.uk | 39
Myths & Legends
Pen-Y-Bryn
Pen-y-Bryn (Top of the Hill) is an
obvious viewpoint overlooking the
village. To find Pen-y-Bryn turn
into Copperhill Street, and first left
into Prospect Place, up the steep
hill between the houses. The path
winds steeply upwards, soon looking
down on the rooftops and climbing
through the gorse to arrive at the
summit bandstand. This is a good
spot to study the panorama of the
Dyfi valley and the activities on the
beach down below. One word of
Pen Y Bryn (band stand)
Bearded Lake
www.visitaberdovey.co.uk
40 | www.visitaberdovey.co.uk
warning, there are steep drops and
steps around the summit and the
path can be a bit slippery when wet.
The original (Bandstand) shelter was
built in 1897.
In 1151 a castle of wattle and
daub or possibly ‘motte and bailey’
defended by a stockade, was built
by Rhys, the son of Gruffydd, Prince
of South Wales. But unfortunately
in 1157 the castle was destroyed
by Earl Robert de Clare, one of the
Norman Lords of Wales.
Carn March Arthur
(Llyn Barfog - Bearded Lake)
also has a legend combining an
Afangc (a Welsh water demon) and
King Arthur. Many years ago, the
population of Aberdovey and area
were troubled by the demon. The
Afangc would kill anybody who
ventured too close to Llyn Barfog
where it had made its home.
Occasionally the water demon
would go on the rampage amongst
the local people and it also caused
floods
as it thrashed
around
in the
KAL
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13/02/2014
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1
lake. King Arthur was asked to rid
the Afangc from the lake. When he
arrived on his horse named Llamrai,
he used a strong magical chain to
lassoo the Afangc whist it was hiding
in the lake. During the struggle to
pull the Afangc from the lake King
Arthur’s horse left a hoof print in a
nearby stone now known locally as
Carn March Arthur.
However, there are two different
endings to this story. The first tells of
Arthur killing the Afangc. The second
story says that Arthur dragged
the Afangc to Cader Idris and sent
the water demon into the isolated
mountain lake of Llyn Cau.
Sail through the magical underground
waterfall into a time of myth and legend.
t: 01654 761584 • Corris SY20 9RF in Southern Snowdonia
www.kingarthurslabyrinth.co.uk
www.visitaberdovey.co.uk
www.visitaberdovey.co.uk|| 41
Bells of Aberdyfi
There are many versions of the
same story that explains how the
prosperous land just off Aberdyfi
came to be claimed by the sea. Until
about the 17th Century, the lost
land was called Maes Gwyddno (the
land of Gwyddno). This early legend
explains how the land was drowned
when the priestess of a fairy well
allowed the water to overflow.
However, the legend which is
told today, calls the land Cantre’r
Gwaelod (the bottom Hundred),
which extended 20 miles west
of what is the current shoreline
of Cardigan Bay to day, and was
ruled as part of the Kingdom of
Meirionnydd by Gwyddno Garanhir.
The land was extremely fertile, so
much so that it was said that any
www.visitaberdovey.co.uk
42 | www.visitaberdovey.co.uk
acre there was worth four acres
elsewhere. The land depended on
a dyke to protect it from the sea.
The dyke had sluice gates that were
opened at low tide to drain the water
from the land, and closed as the tide
came back in.
One night around 600 AD, a storm
blew up from the south west, driving
the spring tide against the sea walls.
The watchman, Seithennin, a heavy
drinker, was at a party in the King’s
palace near Aberystwyth. Some say
he fell asleep due to too much wine
or that he was too busy having fun
to notice the storm and to shut the
sluices.
With Seithennin leaving the sluice
gates left open the sea rushed in
to flood the land of the Cantref,
drowning over 16 villages. The King
and some of his court managed to
escape by running to safety along
Sarn Cynfelin. Gwyddno Garahir and
his followers were forced to leave
the lowlands and make a poorer
living in the hills and valleys of
Wales.
The legend has inspired many
poems and songs throughout the
ages. And was first thought to be
mentioned in the 750-year old Black
Book of Carmarthen. The Black Book,
which was named after the colour of
its binding, was written in 1250, and
contained poems relating to events
that had take place centuries earlier,
including a poem about Cantre’r
Gwaelod.
The poem is called "Boddi Maes
Gwyddno", The Drowning of the
Land of Gwyddno, and tells the early
version of story where the maiden
Mererid is held responsible for
allowing the deluge that floods the
land.
Whichever version of the legend
you choose, it is said that if you
listen closely you can hear the bells
of the lost city ringing out from
under the sea, especially on quiet
Sunday mornings, and particularly if
you’re in Aberdyfi, which is famous
in Welsh folk legend as being the
nearest place on dry land to Cantre'r
Gwaelod. The well-known song 'The
Bells of Aberdyfi' became popular
during the 18th Century in the music
halls.
www.visitaberdovey.co.uk | 43
Author: Malachy Doyle
I love Aberdovey! When we lived in
Machynlleth, the rain always stopped
when we got to Pennal, and the
sun came out as we approached
Penhelig. So one day there was
nothing for it but to up sticks and
move to Aberdyfi.
Every morning I’d walk the beach.
Every time a child came to stay, I’d
take them crabbing on the jetty.
Fireworks on the water… ice-cream
and sand-castles… walks along
the Roman Road and up to the
Bearded Lake… dining out in the
Penhelig… watching the world from
the Bandstand… watching the tide
from the Reading Room… So many
memories.
44 | www.visitaberdovey.co.uk
I wrote something like thirty books
there, but the one that’s the most
Aberdyfi is called Riley, Kiley and
Smiley. It’s the story of three
children, eating ice-cream, making
sandcastles and best of all, spending
long hot summer days on the jetty,
catching crabs.
I live in Ireland now, on a tiny island
off the coast of Donegal. But a little
piece of Aberdyfi remains forever in
my heart.
Malachy Doyle
If you would like to find out more
about Malachy and his books visit
www.malachydoyle.com
Do... Add seaweed to the bucket to help replicate
the crab’s natural environment and reduce stress.
Don’t... Put too many crabs in one bucket. Stick to a
maximum of 10. Too many crabs in a bucket could suffocate
the crabs or they may start to fight.
Do... Change the water every 30 minutes to avoid asphyxiation.
Only keep the crabs in sea water.
Don’t... Keep them all day long
return them to sea close to where they were caught.
Do... Hold your crab correctly
gently hold it either side of the rear of its shell.
Don’t... Keep your bucket in the sun
Do.... Remove any crabs which are fighting
Male crabs are more aggressive & have bigger claws!
Don’t.... Use a line with a hook on.
T here are crabbing lines available with a bait net or clip,
these are the best to use.
The Old Bake House Aberdovey, Gwynedd,
LL35 0EY | 45
www.visitaberdovey.co.uk
Aberdyfi Lifeboat
In 1837 the first Lifeboat station
was set up in Aberdyfi and
was funded with help from the
Institution and managed by the
Harbour Authorities. The station
was taken over by the RNLI in 1853
and a new boathouse was built to
cater for both the Lifeboat and the
carriage. After running for almost
100 years a decision was made
in 1931 by the RNLI to close the
Lifeboat station in Aberdyfi due to
the lack of water usage from locals
and visitors.
46 | www.visitaberdovey.co.uk
It wouldn’t be for a further 32
years until an Inshore Lifeboat was
established with a D Class which
subsequently was replaced with an
Atlantic 21 class lifeboat in 1974.
The Atlantic class lifeboat proved
its worth within the waters of the
estuary and the surrounding waters
in Cardigan Bay. As a result of this
further alterations were made to the
Atlantic class to make it even more
of an effective Search & Rescue
asset.
The boathouse that stands today
was built as a bolt-on to the already
situated Dovey Yacht Club in 1991
providing housing for the Atlantic 21
and launching tractor. During 1998
the new type of Atlantic class – The
Atlantic 75 B-758 ‘Sandwell Lifeline’
arrived on station (the boat that is
still stationed here today). The name
came from the village of Sandwell
in the Midlands whose residents
tirelessly carried out fund raising
events to help fund the new boat.
The old Atlantic 21 Lifeboat (B559)
is now serving in the British Virgin
Islands.
Future of the Station:
Further improvements are
to be made to the station, a new
model, the Atlantic 85 is being rolled
out to replace the already on station
Atlantic 75 lifeboat. The 85 will be
one meter longer than the 75 and
therefore a decision was made to
extend and renovate the station to
accommodate the new boat along
with the tractor. Currently still in the
planning stage work is to undergo in
2014/15.
Aberdyfi Lifeboat launched 22
times in 2013. Rescues included jet
skis, swimmers, kite surfers, wind
surfers, sailors, injured persons
on the beach, inflatable dinghies,
commercial fisherman and to
conduct searches in both the estuary
and further west into Cardigan Bay.
All these rescues have been and
continue to be made possible by the
very kind donations from the public
donating money or simply dropping
spare change into the collection
boxes during visits to Aberdyfi.
The RNLI gift shop is open for
visitors in the summer months so
why not come down and take a
look.
www.visitaberdovey.co.uk | 47
Rowing to victory
Aberdyfi Rowing Club, based on
the beautiful Dyfi Estuary, is a
vibrant, friendly club with a strong
membership catering for both
competitive and social rowers.
Members row throughout the year
depending on weather conditions,
either in traditonal Celtic longboats
- with four rowers and a cox - or in
the French designed, sliding seat
Yoles.
Aberdyfi has one of the best training
locations in Wales and during the
summmer season the club competes
regularly in the Welsh Northern
and Southern Leagues races. Clubs
from all over Wales also gather
here for Joint League events. Crews
48 | www.visitaberdovey.co.uk
from Aberdyfi also take part in
other events throughout the year,
including races in Ireland and
Europe. The Annual London Great
River Race is an important date in the
club’s calendar, with several crews
from Aberdyfi usually taking part in
this spectacular event held on the
River Thames.
Another popular event where
Aberdyfi crews are keen participants
is the biannual Celtic Challenge,
where teams race from Arklow in
Ireland to Aberystwyth
a distance of 90 nautical miles.
Aberdyfi rowers can often be seen
training hard on the estuary for this
event in the months preceeding the
race.
However , the club is not all about
competitive rowing. There is a strong
emphasis on the social side of
rowing and members can row for the
pure enjoyment of getting out on the
water and enjoying the delights of
the Dyfi Estuary.
Every Saturday morning time is
set aside for Social Rowing, when
new rowers can come along and
‘have a go’ - weather and conditions
permitting - If weather conditions
prevent rowing there is always a cup
of coffee and a chat to be had in the
boatshed. The club has qualified
coaches to help newcomers with
advice, rowing training and water
safety training.
There are also social events held
throughout the year, such as
BBQ’s, Quiz Nights and general
‘get togethers’- often held in the
adjoining Dovey Yacht Club.
Aberdyfi Rowing Club welcomes new
members. By joining, members get
the chance to enjoy the experience
of rowing on the waters of the
Dyfi estuary and beyond, and the
opportunity to make new friends
through rowing.
Interested in finding out more
about Aberdyfi rowing club
www.aberdyfirowingclub.com
www.visitaberdovey.co.uk | 49
Aberdovey to Pennal
Aberdovey and the surrounding
area has many challenging and
gentle cycle rides for all abilities.
This route is for well experienced
mountain bikers due to the steep
climbs and fast tricky downhill
sections towards the end near
Pennal.
We start in the square at Aberdovey
climbing up Church Street bending
round left and continuing up
Balkan Hill for a couple of miles.
Once reaching the top of Balkan
Hill and carrying on up right onto
Panorama Walk, you’ll start to see
some fantastic views up and down
Cardigan Bay, Aberdovey and Tywyn.
50 | www.visitaberdovey.co.uk
For the majority of this section you’ll
be looking down on Happy Valley
and the small B class road linking
Cwrt and Tywyn, which also forms
part of the coastal path.
When the road section ends after 2.7
miles you'll encounter 3 gates close
together and the rough stuff will
greet you immediately. Near vertical
jagged cross-running stone/slate
with a flow of running surface water
for a couple of hundred meters onto
nice green field areas with peddle
high puddles and deep tractor
imprints.
On your left at grid (65,2 – 98,3) you'll
see a marker stone which is where,
legend has it, King Arthur’s horse
leapt across the estuary to escape
enemies. There is also believed to
be a hoof print on the opposite
mountain side.
Coming down the track it will want
you to bend right, but the lake sits
about 100m hidden on your left,
tucked away, so don't miss it. This
is a good opportunity to leave your
bikes on the track and walk to the
lake and Echo Valley behind it.
Back on your bikes it’s a short wet
ride to the start of some great
downhill leading to the main road;
It undulates a fair bit bending away
from the lake with very wet and
slippery rocky tracks to the safe
tarmac farm road. The farm roads
back down are especially steep with
blind bends that cars do use. You'll
hit the main road, turn right on the
A493. It’s a pleasant 6 mile ride back
to Aberdovey where the ride began.
Overall it’s about a 12 mile ride.
Short & Long Distances, Airport & Seaport Transfers
Dyfi Cabs
07831 551538 | 07773 385335
www.visitaberdovey.co.uk | 51
Set sail for Aberdovey
If you are intending to visit
Aberdovey by sea a warm welcome
awaits from our staff and berths
are available along the quay wall
or alternatively, on deep water
swinging moorings. Before making
your approach we advise mariners
to contact the harbour office on
VHF Ch12 or by telephone.
The navigation channel plan (not
to scale) identifies the lateral
marks used in the approach
channel. The position of the Aids
to Navigation can change without
prior notice. Notices to Mariners
are regularly released and updated
by the Harbourmaster and it is
therefore important to contact
the Harbourmaster for recent
corrections to the chart.
Harbour staff will assist with
berthing where possible. Suitable
fenders and barge boards are
52 | www.visitaberdovey.co.uk
recommended and can be provided
on request.
The harbour office is open daily from
0900 to 1700 hrs from 1st April to
30th September, and is occasionally
open until 20.00 hrs, depending on
tide and weather conditions.
From the 1st October to the 30th
March the harbour office is open
Monday to Friday 09.00 to 17.00.
All vessels launching on the coast of
Gwynedd must register before being
permitted to launch from any beach
or slipway. The registration permit is
also valid in Anglesey and Conwy
Harbour Office, Y Cei, Aberdovey,
Gwynedd. LL35 0EB
T.01654 767626.
M. 07879433148.
E-mail:[email protected];
[email protected]
Mae swyddfa'r harbwr ar agor bob
dydd o 0900 hyd 1700 o Ebrill 1af
hyd Fedi 30ain ac ar adegau bydd ar
agor tan 2000 yn dibynnu ar y llanw
a'r tywydd.
O Hydref 1af hyd Fawrth 30ain bydd
swyddfa'r harbwr ar agor o Ddydd
Llun i Ddydd Gwener 0900 hyd 1700.
ddefnyddir yn y sianel nesáu. Gall
leoliad y Cymhorthion Mordwyo
newid heb rybudd. Mae'r Harbwr
Feistr yn cyhoeddi ac yn diweddaru
Hysbysiadau i Forwyr yn rheolaidd
ac felly mae'n bwysig cysylltu
â'r Harbwr Feistr am gywiriadau
cyfredol i'r siart.
Rhaid cofrestru pob llong sy'n lansio
o arfordir Gwynedd cyn derbyn
caniatâd i lansio o unrhyw draeth
neu lithrfa. Mae'r hawlen ganiatâd
hefyd yn ddilys ar gyfer Ynys Môn a
Chonwy. Os hoffech forio i Aberdyfi,
mae croeso cynnes ein staff yn eich
disgwyl, gydag angorleoedd ar gael
ar wal y cei, neu ar angorfeydd dŵr
dwfn pendiliol. Rydym yn cynghori
morwyr i gysylltu â swyddfa'r harbwr
ar VHF 12 neu ar y ffôn cyn nesáu.
Bydd staff yr harbwr yn eich
cynorthwyo wrth angori pan fo'n
bosib. Argymhellir i chi ddefnyddio
ffenders ac estyll cychod addas a
gallwn ddarparu'r rhain os ofynnir
amdanynt.
Mae'r cynllun sianel mordwyo
isod (nid yw ar raddfa benodol)
yn dangos y marciau ochrol a
Swyddfa’r Harbwr, Y Cei, Aberdyfi,
Gwynedd. LL35 0EB
F 01654 767626.
Ffôn lôn: 07879433148.
Ebost:[email protected];
[email protected]’
www.visitaberdovey.co.uk | 53
Ladies & Gents Hairdressers
State registered
Appointments only
Tuesday to Friday,
9am - 5.30pm
Saturday
9am - 1pm
01654 767 437 | 4 new street, Aberdovey, Gwynedd, LL35 0EH
Dyfi Donkeys
Traditional Donkey rides.
Easter to September, weekends & school holidays
11-4pm.
Aberdovey beach next to the children’s playground
Donkey Farm open days in the Dyfi Valley
(See website for dates)
Tel 07717020344 | www.dyfidonkeys.blogspot.com | [email protected]
54 | www.visitaberdovey.co.uk
j & Trevor welcome you to
Mar
Cellar Bistro
e
h
T
01654 767 250
17 Glandovey Terrace,
Aberdyfi, LL35 0EB
If you’re looking for a quick bite or a more leisurely dining experience, the Cellar
Bistro accommodates all in a cosy atmosphere with friendly attentive staff.
Tapas s Fresh Pasta s Pancakes s Pizza s Duck Specialities s Paella
Fresh Fish s Homemade Burgers (using local Welsh produce)
Cocktails s Wines supplied by Tanners s Beers s Lagers
www.visitaberdovey.co.uk | 55
DU-CASSE
Gifts & Home Accessories
Welsh Maid Ice Cream
Beach goods
Hot & Cold Drinks
01654 767891 | [email protected]
56 | www.visitaberdovey.co.uk
Aberdovey LL35 0RG
New Luxury holiday home development overlooking the Dovey Estuary.
Telephone 01654 768290
Open All Year
Monday - Saturday
10 AM - 5 PM
Sunday (Apr - Oct)
11AM - 4PM
www.nandoras.co.uk | 01654 767 356 | [email protected]
www.visitaberdovey.co.uk | 57
& Aberdovey Holidays
WWW.ABERDOVEY-HOLIDAYS.COM
Tel: 01654767111
58 | www.visitaberdovey.co.uk
Steam Trains in
Unspoilt Snowdonia
Take a historic
steam train trip
for Scenic Walks,
Waterfalls,
Free Museum,
Playground,
Licensed Cafe,
Gift Shop & more!
Amserlen
2014
Timetable
Match the colours of the date in this calendar to the timetable below
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
Sat
Sun
February
10 17 24
11 18 26
12 19 27
13 20 28
14 21
15 22
16 23
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
Sat
Sun
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
1
2
3
4
5
6
July
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
Sat
1
Sun 2
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
March
3 10 17
4 11 18
5 12 19
6 13 20
7 14 21
8 15 22
9 16 23
24 31 Mon
25
Tue
26
Wed
27
Thu
28
Fri
29
Sat
30
Sun
August
Mon
4 11 18
Tue
5 12 19
Wed
6 13 20
Thu
7 14 21
Fri
1 8 15 22
Sat
2 9 16 23
Sun 3 10 17 24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
Sat
Sun
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
April
14 21 28 Mon
15 22 29 Tue
16 23 30 Wed
17 24
Thu
18 25
Fri
19 26
Sat
20 27
Sun
1
2
3
4
September
8 15 22 29 Mon
9 16 23 30 Tue
10 17 24
Wed
11 18 25
Thu
12 19 26
Fri
13 20 27
Sat
14 21 28
Sun
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
1
2
3
4
5
May
12 19
13 20
14 21
15 22
16 23
17 24
18 25
26
27
28
29
30
31
October
6 13 20
7 14 21
8 15 22
9 16 23
10 17 24
11 18 25
12 19 26
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
Sat
Sun 1
27
28
29
30
31
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
Sat
1
Sun 2
June
9 16
10 17
11 18
12 19
13 20
14 21
15 22
23 30
24
25
26
27
28
29
November
3 10 17
4 11 18
5 12 19
6 13 20
7 14 21
8 15 22
9 16 23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
Trains also run at Christmas - see our winter leaflet or website for full details.
- trains stop here for refreshments where
Blue Days
Orange Days
shown with red times. Refreshments also
Tywyn Wharf
d 10.30 12.15 2.00 3.45
Tywyn Wharf
d 10.30 2.00
available at Tywyn Wharf.
Dolgoch
11.02 12.49 2.34 4.19
Dolgoch
11.02 2.32
a - arrival time.
d - departure time.
a
4.32
a
2.47
Trains Stop by request at all other stations.
Abergynolwyn
11.18 1.03 2.48
Abergynolwyn
11.18
d
4.50
d
3.15
You can break your journey and return by any
later train.
Nant Gwernol
a 11.25 1.10 2.55 4.57
Nant Gwernol
a 11.25 3.22
Nant Gwernol
Abergynolwyn
Dolgoch
Tywyn Wharf
d 11.35 1.20 3.05 5.07
a 11.41 1.26 3.11
5.15
d 12.10 1.55 3.40
12.25 2.10 3.55 5.30
a 12.57 2.42 4.27 6.02
Green Days
d 10.30
11.02
a
Abergynolwyn
11.18
d
Nant Gwernol
a 11.25
Nant Gwernol
d 11.35
a 11.41
Abergynolwyn
d 12.10
Dolgoch
12.25
Tywyn Wharf
a 12.57
Tywyn Wharf
Dolgoch
12.15 2.00
12.49 2.34
2.47
1.03
3.15
1.10 3.22
1.20 3.32
1.26
3.40
1.55
2.10 3.55
2.42 4.27
Nant Gwernol
Abergynolwyn
Dolgoch
Tywyn Wharf
Tywyn Wharf
Dolgoch
Abergynolwyn
Nant Gwernol
Nant Gwernol
Abergynolwyn
Dolgoch
Tywyn Wharf
d 11.35 3.32
a 11.41
3.40
d 12.10
12.25 3.55
a 12.57 4.27
Pink Days
d 10.30 11.40 12.15
11.02 12.12 12.49
a
11.18 12.28 1.03
d
a 11.25 12.35 1.10
d 11.35 12.45 1.20
a 11.41 12.51 1.26
d 12.10 1.20 1.55
12.25 1.35 2.12
a 12.57 2.07 2.47
12 - Special event timetable. see website.
12 - No Trains. Museum, Cafe & Shop open.
12 - Closed.
12 - Victorian Train also running.
1.25
1.59
2.35
3.07
3.45
4.17
4.32
2.13 3.23
4.50
2.20 3.30 4.57
2.30 3.40 5.07
2.36 3.46
5.15
3.05 4.15
3.20 4.30 5.30
3.57 5.02 6.02
Kids
go from
2 Quid!
with an adult
or senior
Gorsaf Wharf Station, Tywyn, Gwynedd. LL36 9EY. 01654 710472 www.talyllyn.co.uk
www.visitaberdovey.co.uk | 59
Tourist Information Centre
Acknowledgements
The Aberdovey Tourism & Commerce
gratefully acknowledges the financial
support of Aberdovey Community
Council and Aberdovey Advertising &
Improvements Committee.
Conveniently situated
in the centre of the
village on the Wharf
Gardens, the Aberdyfi
Tourist Information
Centre extends the
warmest welcome to all our visitors.
Make the Centre your first port of
call to get the most of your visit to
this wonderful area. Friendly staff
are on hand to give expert impartial
advice on what to do, what to see
and where to stay. The Centre stocks
a wide range of guide books, maps,
souvenirs and a comprehensive
range of leaflets on all of the area’s
attractions. Located in the Centre is
a free exhibition about the history of
Aberdyfi. Internet access is available
at a nominal charge and free Wi-Fi
connection will also be available by
the summer.
Tel: 01654 767321
Email: [email protected]
Web: www.eryri-npa.gov.uk
Main images taken by Barnacles
Photography. Special thanks to Rupert
Tildesley, Natural Light Photography,
Aberdyfi TIC, Tywyn Photographers,
Dyfi Ospreys Project, Malachy Doyle,
Kittiwake books, Aberdovey Bike ride,
RSPB reserve, Aberdovey Search &
Rescue, Doris O’Keefe, Aberdovey
yacht club for the use and supply of
their images.
Every care has been taken to ensure
the accuracy of the information in
this guide at the time of publication.
If there are any errors, we apologise,
Aberdovey Tourism & Commerce
cannot be held responsible for
the loss or disappointment arising
from any misinterpretation, error,
omission or change to information
after publication.
We advise checking on prices and
facilities with service providers before
making arrangements and bookings.
Designed by: Opa Creative
[email protected]
07967 522 842
Printed by: Y Lolfa
[email protected]
01970 832304