Aberystwyth to Mynachdy’r Graig walk
This walk will take you from the historic seaside splendour of Aberystwyth, along the beautiful Cardigan Bay coast to the former monastic grange of Mynachdy’r Graig.
Crunch along the pebbles at Tanybwlch Beach
Take in the views over Cardigan Island, Ynns Enlli (Bardsey Island), the Lleyn peninsula and Snowdonia. Why not explore the town and castle of Aberystwyth at the end of your walk.
Map
Start:
Royal Pier, Aberystwyth, grid ref: SN581818
1
Start the walk from The Royal Pier, Aberystwyth.
Aberystwyth Pier
Opened in 1865, Aberystwyth's pier was the first to be built in Wales. Originally 264yd (242m) in length, it is now considerably shorter, following a series of storm attacks.
2
Walk south with the sea on your right, past the castle.
Aberystwyth Castle
Aberystwyth is definitely a town with a history. The castle was built here at the command of Edward I after his conquest of Ceredigion in 1277. It was seized by the Welsh several times, the first being in 1282. In 1404 it was captured by Owain Glyndwr, who held it until 1408. During this siege, a cannon was used for possibly the first time in Britain.
3
Take the next turning on the left along Tan-y-Cae road (South Road) to the main A487 and turn right over the River Rheidol on the Trefechan Bridge.
4
From here, take the Pen yr Angor road (which is the 2nd road on the right), walk past Anthony Motors Mazda Garage and over the small bridge onto the storm beach of Tanybwlch.
Tanybwlch Beach
Look out for interesting geological features such as glacial boulder clay and 400 million year-old Aberystwyth Grits (Silurian rocks) on the walk between direction points 6 and 7.
5
There is a car park on the shingle by the stone jetty. Follow the coast path through the gate on your left and along the flat track at the top of the beach, which leads straight to the climb up Allt-wen.
6
Follow the coastal path markers along the path. Points of interest include Morfa Bychan, one of the many granges owned by the monks of the Strata Florida monastery, near Tregaron. Rhys ddu (Black Rhys) lived here when Owain Glyndwr fought to make Wales independent in the 14th century. Rhys was captured by the English and hanged. Look out for the remains of several lime kilns along the coastal path. These were used to burn limestone imported from South Wales, which was used in building and for spreading on the land to improve its fertility.
7
The path moves down to the abandoned farmhouse of Ffos-las and on to the National Trust property of Mynachdyr Graig.
Mynachdyr Graig past
Originally another of the granges belonging to the monks of Strata Florida, the name Mynachdyr Graig translates as 'monk's house on the rocks'. The farm would have been managed by a bailiff, responsible for overseeing the working on the land and sea for crops and fish. Local shipwrecks would also have been plundered for their spoils. The fruits of the farmworkers' labours were then transported back up to the monastery.
8
You have now reached Mynachdyr Graig.
Mynachdyr Graig present
Purchased by us in 1992 (although the farmhouse is privately owned), this 63-hectare (153-acre) farm includes excellent examples of recently restored 19th-century farmstead buildings. The estate features considerable lengths of typical Cardiganshire walls and banks, and a diverse range of natural habitats. It provides an unusually good example of coastal heath and sedge-rich tussock mire. Look out for earthworks on the middle section of the terracing, by the road down to the farmstead local legend has it that these are pirates' graves!
9
You can now either retrace your route back to Aberystwyth, or walk up the track to the lay-by on the A487, where the bus (X40, X50 or 550) will stop on request and transport you back to Aberystwyth. Check the traveline-cymru website for times.
End:
Royal Pier, Aberystwyth, grid ref: SN581818
