Llanarth Cottages with Hot Tubs

Get More From Your Llanarth Hot Tub Cottage Break

Sightseeing

Llanarth sits in a prime spot for exploring Ceredigion's best bits. The village itself is small but makes an excellent base. I recommend heading to New Quay (15 minutes by car) where dolphin-spotting boat trips run daily between April and October from the harbour (SA45 9NW).

Aberaeron (10 minutes north) is worth visiting for its Georgian architecture and harbour. The Harbourmaster Hotel restaurant scores 4.5/5 on TripAdvisor. Don't miss the honey ice cream at The Hive (SA46 0AQ, open 9am-5pm daily).

Cardigan Castle (SA43 1JA) sits 25 minutes south and has been restored after years of neglect. It scores 4.5/5 on TripAdvisor and tickets cost £8.50 for adults. The 13th-century castle hosts events throughout summer.

For beaches, Penbryn (SA44 6QL) is a National Trust gem with a mile of golden sand. It's quieter than many beaches in the area and has featured in the James Bond film "Die Another Day". The car park costs £5 all day.

Pet Friendly

Many Llanarth cottages welcome dogs, with some accepting up to three pets. Most charge around £20-£30 per dog. The village has several footpaths where you can walk straight from your cottage door without needing to drive.

Penbryn beach allows dogs between October and April, while nearby Tresaith beach (SA43 2JL) has sections where dogs can run year-round. After beach walks, The Ship Inn in Tresaith welcomes muddy paws in its bar area.

Cardigan Bay Active (SA46 0JP) runs dog-friendly boat trips where your four-legged friend can join you dolphin spotting. Book ahead as they limit dog spaces per trip.

The Druid Inn in Goginan (SY23 3NT) makes a good lunch stop during walks, with water bowls and treats for dogs. They serve decent pub grub and have a garden where dogs can stretch their legs while you enjoy your hot tub cottage holiday.

Top 3 attractions you have to see in Llanarth

Llanerchaeron Estate (SA48 8DG) sits just 5 miles from Llanarth and is a must-visit. This National Trust property is an 18th-century Welsh gentry estate with a villa, farm buildings and walled garden. Open Wednesday-Sunday, 10am-5pm, it costs £10 for adults. The working farm has rare breed animals that kids love and the walled garden supplies the excellent tea room. A visitor last month wrote: "The gardens are stunning and the house tells a fascinating story of Welsh rural life."

Cardigan Bay Marine Wildlife Centre in New Quay (SA45 9NR) offers free entry and opens daily 10am-4pm. Their exhibition explains the bay's marine life and staff help visitors spot dolphins from their watching point. They run research surveys you can join for £18 per person. The centre gets 4.5/5 on TripAdvisor with one visitor noting: "We saw dolphins within 15 minutes of arriving at the viewpoint!"

The Dylan Thomas Trail takes you through nearby Lampeter and New Quay where the famous Welsh poet lived and worked. The trail is self-guided with information boards at key locations. The White Horse pub in New Quay (SA45 9PT) was Thomas's regular drinking spot and still serves good beer and food. A recent visitor said: "Sitting where Dylan once sat with a pint of local ale was the highlight of our holiday."

Is Llanarth good for families with young children?

Yes! Most cottages provide high chairs and travel cots. The beaches have shallow waters for paddling and Cardigan Island Coastal Farm Park (SA43 1PU) lets kids feed farm animals and possibly spot seals. The flat harbour walls at Aberaeron are perfect for crabbing - buy equipment at the local shops.

How far is Llanarth from the beach?

The nearest beach is at New Quay, just 3 miles away (about 10 minutes by car). Aberaeron's pebble beach is 4 miles north, while Penbryn's sandy beach is 7 miles south. You'll definitely need a car as public transport is limited.

Can I get groceries in Llanarth?

Llanarth has a small village shop for basics. For bigger shops, Aberaeron has a Costcutter and local butcher. Lampeter (15 minutes inland) has a Co-op and Sainsbury's. Many cottages offer welcome hampers with local produce if ordered in advance.

What's the best time to see dolphins in the area?

Summer months (June-September) offer the highest chance of dolphin sightings, with August typically best. Morning boat trips have calmer waters. Land-based watching from New Quay harbour wall is free and often successful, especially on rising tides.

Are there any good walks directly from Llanarth?

Yes, the Ceredigion Coast Path passes nearby. The section between Aberaeron and New Quay (7 miles) offers stunning views and can be done as a one-way walk using the local Cardi Bach bus to return. The inland Bro Aeron trail also passes through Llanarth with well-marked footpaths.

What if it rains during our hot tub cottage holiday?

Besides enjoying your hot tub (which is great in the rain!), visit the National Wool Museum in Dre-fach Felindre (SA44 5UP), Internal Fire Museum of Power in Tan-y-groes (SA43 2JS) with its working engines, or drive to Aberystwyth (30 minutes) for its arts centre cinema and cafes.

1. Discover Ceredigion Official Tourism Site
2. Cardigan Bay Tourism Information
3. Llanerchaeron National Trust Property
4. Cardigan Bay Marine Wildlife Centre