Activities in the Area

New Quay is a picturesque village in Cardigan Bay which was once a busy shipbuilding centre and fishing port. It is now famous for its bottle nose dolphins and its association with Dylan Thomas and is believed to be the setting for “Under Milkwood”, the play Thomas started to write whilst living here.

New Quay is built on terraced slopes which fall steeply to the beautiful sandy beach. The sheltered harbour is a haven for the small local fishing boats, and in the Summer, for the dolphin spotting tours which take visitors out daily. If you’re looking for a few days relaxation, or a more active getaway, there is something here for everyone.

Amongst the many attractions of New Quay, The Cardigan Bay Marine Wildlife Centre is one of the most interesting. Providing all the information you could wish for on the dolphins, seals and sea birds of Cardigan Bay, this is a good place to visit before you board a boat to see if you can actually spot any of the animals you’ve just learned about.

If you don’t mind getting wet, Cardigan Bay Watersports offers dinghy sailing, yacht cruising, power boating, windsurfing and kayaking from the beach. Short sessions and longer courses are available and are suitable for all levels and abilities.

For the energetic amongst you, this area offers some beautiful walks along Ceredigion’s spectacular coastline, a third of which has been defined as ´Heritage Coast´. During the summer, there is a programme of guided walks, talks and boat trips, held at different venues along the coastline. If you’re interested in bird watching, this is an ideal place to see many varieties of birdlife.

There is also the Dylan Thomas Trail for those with an interest in the arts. This tour offers an insight into the life of the poet who was once a visitor to Ffynnon Feddyg, and who later lived in the house next door. The story of what happened during that time was re-created in last year’s film “The Edge of Love”, filmed in New Quay, and starring Kiera Knightley and Sienna Miller.

If you prefer a gentle stroll, the pretty, narrow streets of the village are full of gift shops, cafés and restaurants. Stop for ice cream or laze away the day drinking coffee and gazing at the view. Just relax and let the world go by.

For a change of scenery, 10 minutes drive away you’ll find the very pretty harbour town of Aberaeron. Its most striking feature is its architecture, a quarter of which is listed for either its architectural or historical interest.

The rest of West/Mid Wales is easily accessible, with Cardigan, Lampeter, Llandysul and Aberystwyth, all within a 30-40 minute drive through the beautiful Welsh countryside.

When you visit New Quay, life is full of endless possibilities.