Drive from home to Ceredigion
New Quay for an evening meal and dolphin spotting (follow [SA45 9NR] to get you to the harbour carpark – paid parking, this car park does have a card machine if you don’t have change)
Info: Cardigan Bay is famous for its bottlenose dolphins, with a population of around 250. They’re drawn here by the abundant feeding grounds, the undisturbed habitat and the clean waters.
It’s possible to see bottlenose dolphins all year round, but your prospects are best in the summer when there’s plenty of mackerel in the waters to be eaten. And New Quay is pretty much dolphin central, where there’s a good chance you’ll spot them from the harbour wall.
*Tip – from experience, the dolphins are best spotted late afternoon into the evening.
Evening meal suggestion: Fish and chips from The Lime Crab: located right next to the harbour
*As discussed, whatever you decide to do for your evening meal, keep your receipts and we will reimburse you
Overnight @ Cuddfan @ Wildernest
Address: Wildernest, Blaengor, Dihewyd, Lampeter, Ceredigion, Wales SA48 7QR
Your hosts are Hugh and Jude, they will meet you on arrival as they live on site.
Check in time on Saturday is 4pm
Check out time on Monday is 10:30am
Instagram: @wildernestwales
Facebook
Visit Strata Florida Abbey and optional walk to the Teifi Pools
Strata Florida Abbey to the Teifi Pools – 9 mile circular route through the Cambrian Mountains - 4h approx. The starting point is the car park at Strata Florida Abbey.
Address: Abbey Rd, Ystrad Fflur, Ystrad Meurig, SY25 6ES
Info: The source of the River Teifi, one of the longest river in Wales, is found in the north of Ceredigion. Tranquil Llyn Teifi and the other Teifi Pools - Llyn Hir, Llyn Gorlan and Llyn Egnant – lie hidden in the hills, on the remote Monks’ Trod from Strata Florida Abbey.
Stay overnight @ Cuddfan @ Wildernest
Evening meal suggestions: The Facondale - Lampter, The Pepper Pot, Penwig, and The Blue Bell – all New Quay
There are also two supermarkets in Lampeter: Co-op and Sainbury’s
*As discussed, whatever you decide to do for your evening meal, keep your receipts and we will reimburse you
Check out by 10:30am
AM Drive to St Davids (approx. 1hr40)
Visit St David’s Cathedral (follow [SA62 6RD] to get you there – there is a free car park just past The Bishop pub as you’re passing it on your left, straight ahead of you in the carpark you will see the cathedral)
Opening times: 10am – 3pm
Info: The westernmost peninsula of Pembrokeshire is dominated by the city and cathedral of St Davids. Resting place of Saint David, or ‘Dewi Sant’ in Welsh, patron saint of Wales, the cathedral has stood as a place of holiness and pilgrimage for over 800 years. In medieval times, it was said that two pilgrimages to St Davids were equal to one to Rome.
The present cathedral is built on the site of the 6th-century monastery Saint David founded to teach missionaries to spread Christianity. As Saint David’s reputation spread, his monastery grew and a community developed. Unfortunately it also drew the attention of the Vikings, who plundered it many times over the next few centuries. The Normans eventually took over the monastery and
began building the current cathedral in 1181. Having survived the collapse of its tower, an earthquake and the Reformation, the cathedral continues to enthral and inspire its visitors, even after 800 years.
1.30PM: Coastal foraging with Craig Evans
Info: Craig will meet you at your hotel car park, Twr Y Felin [SA62 6QT] you can follow him to the first foraging site. I’d suggest bringing change for the car park – Craig can be contacted on 07989 143868
Due to tide times and weather forecast, the full foraging experience is not possible on this date, however the following will still be available: Foraging for coastal plants and seaweed. Craig will bring along some cockles, mussels, soft shell clams etc and cook them as usual on a Solva Stove aka Swedish Candle.
Locations will include Nolton Haven and Newgale beaches.
Instagram: @coastal_foraging_with_craig
Facebook: @CoastalCraig
Stay overnight @ Twr Y Felin, St Davids Pembrokeshire
Address: Twr Y Felin, Ffordd Caerfai, St Davids, Haverfordwest SA62 6QT
Info: There is free car parking on site
Please note: face coverings are mandatory in all shared areas such as reception and lobby
Breakfast included
Check-in is available from 4pm
Check-out is by 11am
Instagram: @twryfelinhotel_stdavids
Facebook: @TwryFelinHotel
Twitter: @TwrYFelin
Optional visit to Abereiddy on route to dinner
(follow [SA62 6DT] to get you there – car parking is £4 during the day)
Info: Abereiddy, or Blue Lagoon, is an old quarry, just north of the beach in Abereiddy Bay, that was abandoned and flooded in 1910, as the rock that separated it from the sea was demolished, allowing the waves to flow in.
Today the blue lagoon is a popular spot for rock climbers and for clubs which jump from the rocks into this cold, deep, water, with its distinctive deep blue hue. Even for those not wanting to take part it can be fascinating to watch. The lagoon and surrounding coastline are also used by coasteering and kayaking groups.
The ruins of former buildings of the quarry, including the row of workmen’s houses still scatter the surrounding area. The area is popular for walkers, with the Pembrokeshire coastal path passing the lagoon, and some stunning cliff-top walks nearby.
Dinner @ The Sloop Inn: Reservation for 2 at 7pm
Address: Porthgain, Haverfordwest SA62 5BN – plenty of free parking is available
*Keep your receipts and we will reimburse you for your evening meals
Instagram: @sloopporthgain
Facebook: @SloopPorthgain
Check out by 11am
AM: Drive to Marloes Sands and take half mile cliff walk down the beach - approx. 50minutes drive
(follow [SA62 3BH] to get you there – National Trust car park, you will need change)
Info: You’ll be greeted by 1.5km of uncrowded sweeping sand, dotted with sandstone towers standing in low-tide pools shimmering with tiny fish and shrimps, plus views of Skokholm and Gateholm islands. The flat sand is perfect for beach games and the crystal-clear water makes good surfing (but watch out for rips). All the amusement here is provided courtesy of Mother Nature – not by any arcades.
Drive to Llandeilo (follow [SA19 6EN] to get you there) approx. 1hr30 drive
Stay overnight @ The Cawdor, Carmarthenshire
Address: Rhosmaen St, Llandeilo SA19 6EN
Info: The Cawdor has a private car park, situated at the rear of the hotel. You may pull up outside to leave your luggage at reception, and we will direct you to our parking facilities. Please be advised that The Cawdor is a listed building and does not have a lift.
Breakfast included
Check-in is available from 3pm
Check-out is by 11am
Dinner @ The Cawdor: Reservation for 2 at 7:30pm
*Keep your receipts and we will reimburse you for your evening meals
Twitter: @TheCawdor
Instagram: @thecawdor
Check out by 11am
Climb Llyn Y Fan Fach
Drive to car park at Llanddeusant (follow [SA19 9UN] to get you there)
9 mile circular route from the car park near Llanddeusant – 4.5h approx.
Info: You’ll find the enchanting glacial lake of Llyn y Fan Fach at the western end of the Brecon Beacons National Park. The lake is associated with the 14th-century legend of the ‘Lady of the Lake’. In this tale, a young farmer marries a beautiful woman who has emerged from the lake, with a promise that he would not strike her three times. Having been struck by him three times (though never in anger), she duly returns to the lake. She returns briefly to instruct her sons, who go on to become doctors, known today as the ‘Physicians of Myddfai’.
Drive home
Please keep receipts for evening meals each night, parking (where possible), petrol receipts and a note of total mileage and you will be reimbursed.