Aberarth
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Aberarth, Ceredigion, Wales is a small seaside village situated towards the southern end of Cardigan Bay between Aberystwyth and Cardigan.
As its name suggests it is at the mouth of the River Arth and is on the A487 coastal road.
The town has some historical significance having been founded around the time of the Norman invasion. The Normans built Dineirth Castle some way up the river valley. During the 12th century Cistercian monks used the area as a seaport to import "Bath Stone" from Bristol which they used for the building of Strata Florida Abbey on land granted to them by The Lord Rhys.
Llanddewi Aberarth Church on a hill about half a mile to the south of the town is reputedly on the site of a 9th century church. The church has a Norman tower with the rest rebuilt in 1860.
Aberarth was involved in the shipbuilding industry before 1850, but the town has faded with the decline of the industry.
It has some welcome visitors from the wild bird community. The red kite, peregrine falcon, chough and stonechat are some of the species to be found in the locality.
The beach, while covered with large pebbles, is very popular with surfers at certain times of the year.
In 2005, a public footpath and cycle lane was finished connecting Aberarth to its larger neighbour Aberaeron.
