Links and local interest
Lampeter is a traditional small Welsh market town, surrounding the handsome buildings of the university. It has a fine selection of shops, the like of which are no longer to be found in most high streets.
There is an excellent variety of good eating places, free car parking, and easy, level access to the shops.
The county of Ceredigion is one of the jewels of Wales, with a wonderful diversity of scenery from mountain to coastline, including much of historical and wildlife interest. It also makes a convenient base for exploring further afield in Wales, whether north to Snowdonia, east to the borders, or south to the Brecon Beacons or Pembrokeshire.
Why not build a short holiday break in the area around a visit to Calico Kate and the adjacent Jen Jones Welsh Quilt Centre? There is much of interest in the district: see below for a few ideas.
Quilting services
No time to quilt? For quilting with a Gammill longarm machine, I can highly recommend:
Sarah Tosh offers a personal and professional quilting service; examples of her work are on display at Calico Kate.
Other textile-related links
Jen Jones Welsh Quilt Centre: Opened in 2009 in the old Town Hall, Lampeter. A permanent exhibition of quilts from Jen Jones's collection, together with quilts from other collections. Almost next door to Calico Kate.
Open Tuesday to Saturday, 11.00am - 4.30pm.
Closed all day Monday (except Bank Holidays).
For pre-booked parties, opening days and times are flexible.
Jen Jones, Llanybydder: fine
collection of traditional Welsh quilts.
tel. 01570 480610
Minerva Centre, Llanidloes: frequently holds
exhibitions of textile interest.
tel. 01686 413467
Museum of the Welsh Woollen Industry, Drefach
Felindre: learn the fascinating history of the Welsh textile industry and see
the weaver at work, in this rare survivor from the days when the village of
Drefach Felindre had many spinning and weaving mills. Reopened 2004 after a complete refurbishment.
tel. 01559 370929; part of National Museums
& Galleries of Wales
Curlew
Weavers, Rhydlewis, Newcastle Emlyn: small family-run mill, open to
visitors Monday to Friday.
tel. 01239 851357
Local interest
Aberaeron: a unique and beautiful, small Georgian town, formerly an important seaport, and celebrating its 200th anniversary in 2007.
Abergwesyn pass: drive the "mountain
road" from Tregaron, through magnificent wild scenery, past Llyn Brianne,
towards Builth Wells. The Elan valley route, between Rhayader and Cwmystwyth is
an equally wonderful drive.
Aberystwyth
Arts Centre: an excellent arts centre, set within the University campus,
with fine views over Cardigan Bay.
tel. 01970 623232
Cae
Hir Gardens, Cribyn: Sitting comfortably in a beautiful wider landscape,
this garden is the inspiration and work of one enthusiastic Dutchman!
tel. 01570 470839
Cardigan Bay: a wonderful coastline, dotted with attractive villages and with many fine coastal walks.
Ceredigion Museum, Terrace Road, Aberystwyth:
excellent local museum, full of information about the county, and with frequent
special exhibitions.
tel. 01970 633088
Cors Caron - Tregaron Bog:
this 'raised bog' is a wetland site of international importance, and a
National Nature Reserve. There is an easy walk along the disused
track-bed of the Carmarthen to Aberystwyth railway, and now also a
splendid board walk leading to a hide, shown right.
Dolaucothi gold mines: first worked by the Romans,
and intermittently until the 1930s; now run by the National Trust.
tel. 01545 570200
Kite Centre, Tregaron: much information on our
local speciality, the red kite, and other birds of local interest, as well as
some local history.
tel. 01974 298977
Llanerchaeron, Ciliau Aeron, near Aberaeron: a
gentleman's residence, designed by Nash, and recently restored by the National
Trust.
tel. 01545 570200
Norwood
Gardens, Llanllwni, near Pencader: A brand new garden, begun in 2003. A
fascinating linear design comprising several gardens within a garden, making the
most of "borrowed" scenery beyond the garden boundary.
01559 395386
Rhiannon, Tregaron: Jewelry in Welsh gold and other
metals, from Welsh designers, and much else including maps and Welsh interest
books.
tel. 01974 298415
Strata Florida: the remains of a fine Cistercian abbey, set in splendid scenery in the Cambrian mountains, also the starting point for a bracing walk round the Teifi lakes.
Vale of Rheidol Railway: a narrow-gauge steam railway over 100 years old, running through wonderful scenery from Aberystwyth to the spectacular waterfalls of Devil's Bridge/Pontarfynach.tel. 01970 625819
Where to stay - Bed & Breakfast
Brynheulog B & B: just outside Llanddewi Brefi, an ideal base for walking, birdwatching or unwinding
Coedmor-fach Cottages: self-catering cottages 2 miles outside Lampeter, in the Teifi valley
Nantgwynfaen Organic Farm: B & B and farm shop: specialists in local and organic food
Peterwell House: offers a choice of self-catering or Continental B & B accommodation in a fine old house on the outskirts of Lampeter