Arosfa Harbourside Guest House, Aberaeron

The Reverend Alban Thomas Jones Gwynne was the wealthy local entrepreneur who, 200 years ago employed a prominent London architect to design a small harbourside town on what was then the marshy estuary of Afon Aeron and surrounding farmland. Work on the stone walled harbour began in 1807 with the surrounding houses and buildings that were part of the original plan being mostly completed by the 1850’s. The first building to be completed that is still in existence is the Harbourmaster Hotel, then called the Red Lion and the first of over 20 pubs. Other early buildings a little further out were soon lost to the sea.
North of the river is known locally as the Liverpool Side, harking back to the old sailing ship days when many local seamen often sailed to that then busy Atlantic port. It followed that south of the river was the Birkenhead Side and on that side of the river most of the early development was devoted to the commercial life of the harbour. There were timber stores, coal yards, building yards and the south beach was a boat building area from which many of the local boats came, the last of which was the “Cadwgan”.
If you look around carefully you can still see the occasional building that predates the “new” town development. You may look out for the 3 toll houses that used to operate the toll gates before the “Rebecca Riots” and also spot some oddities. For instance why does Pengarreg the large house at the southern edge of town stand with it's back to the main road and what was the little house for on the edge of the car park outside of the yacht club. Also why does Masons Row bear that name. For most of the 19th century Aberaeron Harbour was a centre for local trade and commerce and the town thrived. Things began to change with the opening of the railway in 1916 and for a while the town slipped into obscurity.
Today the town's delightful harbour, natural elegance and serene 19th Century atmosphere attracts many visitors from near and far proving that Aberaeron's national recognition for it’s Georgian architecture is well earned. The Welsh language features strongly in everyday life and will be heard on the street, in the shops and bars where you will find the local people friendly and obliging.
We suggest that you pay a visit to the Tourist Information Office at the end of the quay where they have all opening times and so forth of the many different places to see.
One thing to note is that Aberaeron has it’s own vineyard at Ffynnon Las that has guided tours and tastings. It lies just on the edge of town as you leave towards Lampeter and a bottle is the perfect gift.
Llanerchaeron
A three mile stroll along the old railway track will bring you to this small Welsh gentry estate that was left to the National Trust in 1989 on the death of J.P. Ponsonby Lewis. The house was designed by John Nash of Regent Street, London fame who was almost certainly involved in the planning of Aberaeron. Built at the end of the 18th century it has a model range of domestic, estate and farm buildings that has singled it out as something significant with very little alteration having happened since it was originally built. With it’s 2 large walled gardens and extensive landscaped grounds and parkland Llanerchaeron is a local jewel and has benefited from high quality restoration that was financed in part by a National Lottery Grant.
Leisure Centre and Swimming Pool
For the active visitor these modern facilities offer an alternative on the odd showery day. They are both within the school campus.
“Top 10” Things to do
•Roman Gold Mine - be sure to be on a guided tour
•Devils Bridge Falls via the narrow gauge railway
•Aberystwyth Cliff Railway, the world’s largest camera obscura and cafe
•Cors Calon Nature Reserve - one of Europe’s largest bogs
•Red Kite feeding centres. A local bird saved from extinction
•Dolphin watching at Newquay
•Llangrannog Cove - picturesque village with stunning walks
•Aberystwyth University Arts Centre - great on a rainy day
•Llanarchaeron Country House and Estate
•Aberaeron’s delightful Harbourside and riverside