LOCAL BEACHES

 

Poppit Sands

Close to St Dogmaels and by the start of the northern end of the Pembrokeshire Coast Path stands the wide sandy beach of Poppit Sands. This sloping beach is at the estuary of the River Teifi near Cardigan so the sea is shallow a long way out. Beware though, owing to the nature of the estuary there are unpredictable currents at the far end of the beach, so bathing is only safe within the patrolled area. An RNLI lifeboat station operates from the beach and lifeboat drills are performed about twice a week. RNLI lifeguards patrol the beach in the summer months. There is a large area set aside for dog walkers in the summer months and for those who enjoy the search for sea creatures there are rock pools.

 

Mwnt

Mwnt gets its name from the prominent steep conical hill that rises above the beach. This is a National Trust beach and is approached by pathway from the large pay and display car park on the road above. A shop and toilets are nearby.

Mwnt was the site of an unsuccessful invasion by Flemings in 1155, and their defeat was celebrated on the first Sunday in January as "Sul Coch y Mwnt". It is said that the bones of the defeated invaders would occasionally be visible under the sand when uncovered by windy conditions in the early 20th century.

The nearby Church of the Holy Cross (Welsh: Eglwys y Grog) is an example of a medieval sailor's chapel of ease. The site is said to have been used since the Age of the Saints, but the present building is probably 14th century.

 

Aberporth

In the 16th century, Aberporth was a subsidiary landing point for the port of Cardigan. Boats, nets and salt for preserving were brought in from Ireland. It developed rapidly in the late 17th and early 18th centuries as local people began to take part in the maritime trade. It became a very active port with the northernmost of the two beaches extending into the river valley and provided a safe anchorage. Limekilns, coalyards and warehouses were built on its south shore.

Aberporth developed into one of the main centres of the herring fishing industry in Wales. Drifting and netting were both employed and at one time at least 20 full time herring smacks went to sea regularly. The industry persisted until the beginning of the First World War when fish stocks declined. Crab and lobster fishing continues on a small scale to this day.

 

Tresaith

Legend relates that a certain king of Ireland had seven troublesome daughters. Failing to exercise control over the princesses he finally lost his patience and told his servants to put his daughters on an open boat and cast them adrift. The Irish Sea currents took the craft towards the coast of Ceredigion where it beached. The seven princesses landed safely, fell in love with the sons of seven local Welsh families, married and settled down. This is why the settlement is called Tresaith (Welsh 'the Town of Seven').

The village is of recent origin. Until the mid 19th century it consisted of 2 dwellings, a thatched cottage and the Ship Inn. The Parry family who ran the inn were ship owners and their first vessel, the New Hope, was built at on the beach at Tresaith in 1827. Later, several smacks of about 25 tons operated from here, bringing in coal, limestone and culm. In the last few decades of the 19th century the village became popular as a seaside holiday destination and contemporary newspapers referred to it as the Second Brighton.

TO  DISCOVER MORE ABOUT NEARBY BEACHES PLEASE CLICK ON THE PICTURE ABOVE

HOW TO BOOK

 

Both cottages are available throughout the year, so if you want to know prices, or check that a week is free, or if you would like to book either cottage for your holiday, please either send us an email stating your requirements by clicking here  or telephone us on 07768152483

 

Email: bookings@westwalescottageholidays.co.uk

0044(0)7768152483