Aberystwyth Pier and Harbour: A tour of the town’s landmarks and legends

(7 reviews)

Aberystwyth audio tour: Aberystwyth Pier and Harbour: A tour of the town’s landmarks and legends

This is a 2mi walking tour

It takes an average of 75 mins to complete.

Aberystwyth

The United Kingdom

$7.99

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About the Tour

The Aberystwyth Seafront Promenade is a popular destination for tourists and locals alike but few people know the history of this 2,000-meter-long walkway. On this walking tour from the Aberystwyth Cliff Railway to the end of the Aberystwyth Harbour, I’ll share the stories etched into the buildings, walls and streets that surround you.

Along the way, I’ll tell you what the town was like back in the 1200s when Edward 1st built his castle, forming part of his iron ring around Wales. We’ll visit the Aberystwyth Castle Grounds and see the ruins of the once proud monument. I’ll show you the over 100-year-old St Michael’s Church, the third church to be built on this site. We’ll also glimpse the unmissable 65-foot-high Aberystwyth War Memorial that bears the names of some of the men killed in the World Wars.

On this 75-minute tour, you can look forward to:

Learning about the castle, the walled town, and why Aberystwyth was the only settlement built by Edward where Welsh people were allowed to own property within the town walls
Finding out why Aberystwyth was once thought to have the most important harbour in Wales
Discovering the origins of the town’s misleading name, which makes it sound like the river Rheidol doesn’t run through it

Come along with me, and enjoy this gentle stroll through this historic and picturesque Welsh town.

Tour Producer

Sean Westlake

2 tours

Sean Westlake is one of Wales’s most respected Blue Badge Guides and the current Chair of the Wales Official Tourist Guides Association. After a distinguished thirty‑year career as a police officer serving the communities of Mid Wales, Sean brought his commitment to public service, clarity, and care into the world of professional guiding. His transition into tourism was a natural evolution: a chance to share the landscapes, stories, and heritage he has always loved with visitors from around the world.
As a licensed and fully insured driver‑guide, Sean offers a premium touring experience for up to seven passengers. His tours can be crafted as single‑day adventures or extended, multi‑day journeys, each one carefully structured around the interests, pace, and needs of his guests. Whether exploring castles, industrial heritage, wild landscapes, or contemporary Welsh culture, Sean specialises in creating tailor‑made itineraries that feel personal, thoughtful, and effortlessly organised.
Known for his ability to blend historical depth with engaging storytelling, Sean brings Wales to life through layered, accessible narratives that resonate with first‑time visitors and seasoned travellers alike. His leadership within WOTGA focuses on raising professional standards, developing high‑quality resources, and championing inclusive, ethical guiding practices across the country.
Passionate, knowledgeable, and unfailingly attentive to guest experience, Sean continues to shape the future of Welsh guiding with integrity, warmth, and a genuine love for the place he calls home.

Preview Location

Location 1

Start of tour Aberystwyth Cliff Railway

Hello and welcome, I'd like to thank you for taking the time to go for a walk with me in the town where I live.

We'll start here outside the bottom station to the cliff railway where we'll stay while I introduce myself and explain how VoiceMap works.

My name is Sean and ... Hello and welcome, I'd like to thank you for taking the time to go for a walk with me in the town where I live.

We'll start here outside the bottom station to the cliff railway where we'll stay while I introduce myself and explain how VoiceMap works.

My name is Sean and I'll be your guide as we wander through the seaside town of Aberystwyth. I've lived in Mid-Wales all my life and worked as a police officer for thirty years and Aberystwyth was part of my 'patch'. I retired from the police in 2012 and since then have been leading motorcycle tours through Wales, Scotland, and other countries in Europe. I'm a qualified tour guide and I'm a member of the Wales Official Tourist Guide Association.

I wanted to set up these walking tours with VoiceMap because I can only be in one place at a time. I love nothing better than standing in front of a group of interested people and describing and interpreting what they see, giving them a first-hand account of this fabulous country called Wales, a place that I call home. Sadly I can't always be there but hopefully, this will be the next best thing

So we start our tour outside Aberystwyth Cliff Railway station. We won't be travelling on the train during this tour but you are welcome to come back later and do so.

This is the longest electric funicular cliff railway in Britain. It has been transporting visitors to the summit since opening in 1896. 12,000 tons of rock were removed during its construction and at the top, you have, on a clear day, unrivalled views of Cardigan Bay and 26 mountain peaks including Snowden. You could also walk up the hill using part of the Wales coastal path that runs to your left.

So if you turn around and face the sea, you can see we're at the north end of the 'prom' as we call it. Let's get going. Please now walk down the slope in front of you to reach the end of the prom.

I mentioned the Wales coastal path just now. Wales was the first country in the world to have a pathway along the whole coast of the country and it stretches for 870 miles.

While you walk, I want to briefly explain how VoiceMap works.

It uses your location to play audio automatically, at the right time and place. This means that you can put your phone away now. Don't worry if I'm silent at times, when I'm not giving directions or telling stories. There's a map on your screen if you ever feel lost, and if you do get way off track without noticing, VoiceMap will let you know. Read More

View locations and route

How VoiceMap Works

Focus on your surroundings, not the screen

The VoiceMap app uses GPS to play audio automatically, at the right time and place, so you can focus on your surroundings, not the screen.

Follow a route with turn-by-turn-directions

VoiceMap tours follow a route from a fixed starting point. That lets us give turn-by-turn directions and use context to tell a better story.

Resume playback to go at your own pace

If you'd like to stop for a drink or go into a museum, end your tour then use the Resume feature to pick up exactly where you left off.

Listen as many times as you like

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Major Landmarks

Aberystwyth Cliff Railway
Aberystwyth Seafront Promenade
The Glengower
Amgueddfa Ceredigion Museum
Trefechan Bridge
Yr Hen Lew Du
Aberystwyth Clock Tower
Aberystwyth Pier
St. Michael's Church
Aberystwyth Castle Grounds
Aberystwyth War Memorial
The Hut
Aberystwyth Harbour

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Getting There

Route Overview

VoiceMap tours follow a route from a set starting point. It’s how we give turn-by-turn directions and tell a story greater than the sum of its parts.

Start location
Cliff Railway House, Cliff Terrace, Aberystwyth SY23 2DN, UK
Total distance

3km
Final location
52.40712894, -4.09037351
Distance back to start location

2km

Directions to Starting Point

The tour starts at the entrance to the bottom station on the cliff railway at the north end of the promenade. You can drive there along Queens road but there is very little parking space, but there is a car parking along the promenade.
Post Code SY23 2DN. what three words ///rationed.honestly.fondest
If you approach from the promenade itself, when you get to the end, there is to your right a short slope or steps up to the station.
There are no public transport links to the station

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Tips

Places to stop along the way

Aberystwyth is blessed with many good eating places. On the prom you have PD's Dinner and opposite that Baravin. In the town you will pass SY23 a Micheline star restaurant. Look up Medina for very good food. You can eat on the Pier at its brasserie. There are also any number of fast food places to choose from.

Best time of day

This tour is okay at anytime, day or night, its best in daylight but there is enough lights with the street lights to make the walk easy. The town never gets that busy.

Precautions

Aberystwyth is a safe town with very little crime. You will be perfectly safe walking the route. You are in Wales so you can expect rain at any time of year and you are on the coast so expect wind.
Aberystwyth is a sunny place, one of the sunniest places along the coast.

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“This app has become my go-to app for audio tours. I pretty much use it for every trip and it works wonderfully. I highly recommend VoiceMap for travelers to truly experience cities.”

App Store Review

“Great app. walk around at your own pace, stop where you want, move on or speed up when you want. Read the script before you go or during the commentary, speed it up or replay it. Repeat the tour whenever you like.”

Google Play Store

Questions and Reviews

5 / 5

7 Ratings

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Aberystwyth Pier and Harbour: A tour of the town’s landmarks and legends

About the Tour

Tour Producer

Sean Westlake

Preview Location

Location 1

Start of tour Aberystwyth Cliff Railway

How VoiceMap Works

Major Landmarks

Aberystwyth Cliff Railway

Aberystwyth Seafront Promenade

The Glengower

Amgueddfa Ceredigion Museum

Trefechan Bridge

Yr Hen Lew Du

Aberystwyth Clock Tower