We
decided we would do a drive to the west coast of Mid Wales today. Our journey
took us through Llanidloes, Cwmbelan, Llangurig &Ponterwyd to Aberystwyth,
where we stopped for a couple of hours. After finding a car park, we headed to
a local shop to get gloves for me – it is very cold (especially in the wind),
then to find somewhere to get a coffee. We bypassed one place because it smelt
funny, but found a small café where we were able to get coffee & hot
chocolate that was good. From there, we headed to the local tourist information
centre to get some brochures and ideas for the rest of the week. There are a
couple of places we know we already want to go to, but we wanted to get
information on those places and more. It will not be hard to fill our days! There
is so much to see. From the information centre, we walked round to the
Aberystwyth Castle ruins.
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| Ruins of Aberystwyth Castle |
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| more ruins |
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| a view from the castle ruins along the coast |
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| more of the ruins |
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| the "Old College" building |
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| a view along the road between Aberystwyth & Barmouth |
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| between Aberystwyth & Barmouth |
Aberystwyth
Castle (Welsh: Castell Aberystwyth) is an Edwardian fortress was built
during the First Welsch War in the late 13th century. It was begun during Edward
I's first Welsh campaign. Building work started in 1277. The inner ward was
built in a diamond-shaped concentric castle, with a twin D-shaped gatehouse
keep with mural towers at each corner. The outer ward consisted of twin
D-shaped gatehouse, a barbican, a rock-cut ditch and a large curtain wall with
towers. Marcher Lord Gilbert de Clare built a Motte and bailey castle a mile
south of the current site in c.1110. It was called Castell Tan-y-castell,
Aberrheidol Castle and Old Aberystwyth. The earth and timber
castle was later reinforced with stone. The castle was captured by Owain
Gwynedd in 1136 before changing hands at least three more times before being
captured by Llywelyn the Great in 1221. The Welsh prince razed this castle and
rebuilt another one in its place. Aberystwyth Castle was not complete when the
Welsh briefly captured and burned it in 1282. Later work was overseen by Master
Mason James of St George. Construction ceased in 1289. The castle was subjected
to a lengthy siege during the revolt of Mado gap Llywelyn in 1294-5. By 1307 a
borough was thriving outside the castle walls in a town that was called in
Welsh, Llanbadarn Gaerog (English: Fortified Llanbadarn). However
historical accounts suggest that the castle had already begun to fall into
disrepair by 1343. During the national uprising led by Owain Glyndwr, the Welsh
took possession of the castle in 1404. But the English soon recaptured the
castle by 1408. In 1637 Aberystwyth Castle was designated as a Royal mint by
Charles 1 which made silver shillings. The mint's operator raised a regiment of
Royalist soldiers during the English Civil War. Oliver Cromwell slighted the
castle in 1649.
We
enjoyed our wander around the ruins and the views along the coast. Another old
building just along from the castle is the “Old College” building – the original
site of the Aberystwyth University. The University was founded in 1872 as University
College Wales. The first Principal was Thomas Charles Edwards and initially there
were 26 students. Before 1894, when the college joined the University of Wales
as a founder member, students were submitted for examinations to the University of London). The building, is now the
site of most of the University's administration as well as the Departments of
Welsh and Education.
After
exploring the castle ruins, we headed back to the main part of town to get some
lunch at a local café before heading off again. Our next stop was at Barmouth
after driving through Bow Street, Taly-y-bont, Machynlleth, Aberdovey, Bryncrug,
Llanegryn & Llwyngwril. We only stopped briefly at Barmouth then headed
back to LLandinum via Bontddu, Llanelltyd, Mallwyd, Cemmaes, Llanbrynmair,
Carno & Caersws. When we were almost back at Llandinum, I decided I would
take photos of signs with interesting names and statements. It is not easy to
get photos while we are driving, but I will do my best! Back at the Lodge, we
put a couple of loads of washing on and relaxed & caught up on journal and
blog writing.
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