Quieter than Aberystwyth’s North beach, Aberystwyth South is a sheltered sand and shingle beach that when it’s warm catches the sun all day, and a great place to see stunning sunsets when the weather is right. If you want to bring your dog, be aware there are restrictions in place.
The southern end of the beach by the harbour trap is popular with surfers and body boarders. It has a reasonably exposed reef break with consistent, clean waves, with winter and spring the best times to visit.
Although it’s not the best beach for building sandcastles, children will enjoy going for a paddle or skimming stones. During the summer, RNLI lifeguards patrol the beach which means you can swim with peace of mind. There is also an RNLI lifeboat station that was established in 1861. It was the first station to have an inshore lifeboat and has received 13 awards for gallantry.
During the warmer months, dolphins and porpoises can often be seen near the shore and there are plenty of seabirds to look out for including kittiwakes, fulmars, shags, and razorbills.
Aberystwyth Castle at the north end of the beach was built between 1277 and 1289 by King Edward I as part of his bid to conquer Wales. It changed hands between the English and the Welsh several times until in 1637 it became a Royal mint for Charles I. In 1649 it was all but destroyed by Oliver Cromwell.
Today, visitors can explore the ruins of the castle, which include the towers and parts of the curtain walls. There are numerous benches on which to sit and enjoy the views over the coast and town, and there is a children’s play area to the rear.
Plenty of shops, cafes, and restaurants can be found in the town centre which is just a short walk away or on nearby North beach, but if you fancy a bite to eat on South beach, The Hut on the seafront is a food shack that sells paninis, pastries, coffee and other hot drinks, as well as a good selection of ice creams.
There are several car parks near the beach, but these get very full in the summer, and it is often cheaper to use the one of the car parks in the town. Public toilets are by the lifeboat station and by the castle.
Access to the beach is via a concrete slipway opposite South Marine Terrace. Alternatively, there are steps down to the beach at several other points between the harbour and the castle.
