Farmhouse holiday cottages in a tranquil rural hideaway Ceredigion, West Wales.
An ideal base for exploring The Teifi Valley, Cardigan Bay and Pembrokeshire.

River Valleys

River valleys Millions of years ago melting ice cut valleys through the Cambrian Mountains was formed to form lush river valleys.

Ceredigion’s five main rivers (Aeron, Dyfi, Rheidol, Teifi and Ystwyth) are still fed by natural springs high in the Cambrian Mountains at the start of their journey down to the sea.

Aeron Valley: The lower wide and green Aeron valley flows down to the sea at Aberaeron from its remote source at Mynydd Bach.

Dyfi Valley: The Dyfi River is northern boundary of Ceredigion, and is considered to be the boundary between north and south Wales.

The estuary of the Dyfi is flanked by the mountains of Snowdonia and the Cambrian range to the north and on its southern bank Ceredigion is the largest extent of lowland bog in Britain - Cors Fochno

Rheidol Valley: The River Rheidol source is on Plynlymon Mountain, the highest point in mid-Wales and the source of the rivers Severn and the Wye.

From Nant y Moch reservoir it flows down to form one of the most spectacular waterfalls in Wales at Devil’s Bridge. The Rheidol then meanders on past long abandoned mines past the Rheidol Power Station's visitor centre, and into Aberystwyth harbour.

Teifi Valley: The Teifi is the longest river (75 miles) in Wales, it starts at Teifi Pools in the remote Cambrian Mountains. It flows Pontrhydfendigaid and on through Cors Caron, nature reserve. The Teifi meanders through the towns and villages of Tregaron, Llanddewi Brefi, Lampeter, Llandysul, Newcastle Emlyn, Cenarth, Cilgerran and finally enters the sea at Cardigan.

From Lampeter it marks the county boundary between Ceredigion and Carmarthenshire and nearer the estuary Ceredigion and Pembrokeshire.

The Teifi is perhaps know best as a fly fishing river, especially for ‘sewin’ (sea trout) and salmon.

The Teifi Estuary is home to The Welsh Wildlife Centre, Cardigan Castle guards the bridge in the town, St Dogmaels and Poppit Sands lie on its southern bank it flows into the Irish Sea past Cardigan Island beyond its northern bank.

Ystwyth Valley:The River Ystwyth source is high up in the Cambrian Mountains and its valley has wonderful and wild scenery. The river flows through Aberystwyth into the harbour alongside the River Rheidol.

The Ystwyth valley is now sparsely populated but in bygone year’s silver, lead and zinc was mined and reached a peak in the 18th century. The old mines ruins now stand silent.

The river valley is one of the most beautiful in Wales. The road leading over the Cambrian Mountains to Rhayader was once described by the AA as one of the ten most scenic drives in the world.

The Elan Valley - Powys

The Elan Valley is a river valley situated to the west of Rhayader, in Powys, Wales, sometimes known as the "Welsh Lake District

The valley contains the 5 Elan Valley Reservoirs and a visitor centre. It famous for picturesque scenery and is a good day out from Stallion Valley. Much of the valley is designated as Sites of Special Scientific Interest, and there is a popular Elan Valley cycle trail, from Rhayader around the reservoirs.

The Cothi Valley

The River Cothi also flows from the Cambrian Mountains but is in Carmarthenshire and provides excellent fly fishing. The upper valley is part of the Dolaucothi Estate, which is owned by the National Trust and incorporates the site of the Dolaucothi Roman Gold Mines.

The lower part of The Cothi River flows through Abergorlech and the Brechfa Forest on its way down to join The Towy River near to Carmarthen.

The Towy River

The source of the River Towy is in the Cambrian Mountains just a few miles from that of the areas other great river, the River Teifi. It flows through the steep rugged hills of the Towy Ferest and forms the border between Ceredigion and Powys.

About 6 miles from its source back in 1972 it was dammed to create the Llyn Brianne reservoir which supplies water to south east Wales.

Further down the river flows past Llandovery and Llandeilo in a broad river valley were it meanders and forms oxbow lakes.

It carries on through Carmarthen into the Towy estuary past Llansteffan Castle and out to Pendine Sands.