{{Infobox UK place
|country = Wales
|welsh_name =
|constituency_welsh_assembly =
|official_name = Aberystwyth
|latitude = 52.42
|longitude = -4.07
|unitary_wales = [[Ceredigion]]
|lieutenancy_wales = [[Dyfed]]
|constituency_westminster = [[Ceredigion (UK Parliament constituency)|Ceredigion]]
|post_town = ABERYSTWYTH
|postcode_district = SY23
|postcode_area = SY
|dial_code = 01970
|map_type =
|os_grid_reference = SN585815
|population = 11,607 (2001) [http://www.aberystwyth.org.uk/fea02.shtml]
|static_image = [[Image:AberystwythPromenade.jpg|230px]]
|static_image_caption = Aberystwyth Promenade and sea front
}}

'''Aberystwyth''' ({{pronEng|ˌæbəˈrɪstwɪθ}}, South Welsh: {{IPA2|abɛrˈəstɔʏθ}}) is a historic [[market town]], administrative centre and holiday resort within [[Ceredigion]], [[Wales]]. It is often colloquially known as "Aber", and is located at the confluence of the [[River Ystwyth]] and [[River Rheidol|Rheidol]].

In modern times Aberystwyth has become a major [[Wales|Welsh]] educational centre. The indigenous population is around 12,000, but for nine months of the year the 7,500 resident students associated with [[Aberystwyth University]] (formerly the University of Wales, Aberystwyth) take this total to about 19,500 people.

==Geography==

[[Image:ClarachBayCeredigion.jpg|thumb|left|230px|View of Clarach Bay from Constitutional Hill, Aberyswyth]]

The town is situated near the [[Confluence (geography)|confluence]] of the rivers [[River Ystwyth|Ystwyth]] and [[River Rheidol|Rheidol]], about midway down the length of [[Cardigan Bay]]. Although the name may seem to suggest otherwise, only the River Rheidol actually passes through the town - the River Ystwyth only just skirts the town, following the reconstruction of the harbour.

Aberystwyth has a [[pier]] and a fine seafront which stretches from [[Constitution Hill]] at the north end of the Promenade to the mouth of the harbour at the south, taking in two separate beach stretches divided by the castle.

Aberystwyth is an extremely isolated town, considering the population density of the [[United Kingdom]]. The nearest substantial settlements are located at least 1 hour 45 minutes drive away: [[Swansea]], to the south, is 70 miles away; [[Shrewsbury]], in [[Shropshire]], [[England]], to the east, is 75 miles away; and [[Wrexham]], to the north-east, is approximately 80 miles away. The capital, [[Cardiff]], is over 100 miles away.

==Brief information==
{{location map|Wales Dyfed |long=-4.04|lat=52.25|caption=Aberystwyth within Dyfed|width=190}}
Aberystwyth is a major tourist centre and a cultural link between the north and south of [[Wales]]. Constitution Hill is scaled by the [[Aberystwyth Electric Cliff Railway]] giving access to fine views and other attractions at the top, while much of the finest scenery in [[Mid Wales]] lies within easy reach of the town. This includes the wilderness of the [[Cambrian Mountains]], whose valleys contain forests and meadows which have changed little in centuries. A convenient way of reaching the interior is by the preserved narrow gauge [[Vale of Rheidol Railway]].

Although the town is relatively modern, it contains a number of historic buildings, including the remains of the castle and the old buildings of the University College of Wales nearby. The Old College was originally intended to be a hotel, but due to a lack of funds the shell of the building was sold to the university. The new university campus overlooks Aberystwyth from Penglais Hill to the east of the town centre. The [[Aberystwyth railway station|terminus]] for the standard gauge railway is also very impressive being built in 1924 in typical style of the period.

The architecture is a mix of Gothic, Classical Revival and Victorian, and the town is sometimes referred to as "the Oxbridge of Wales".

The town is generally regarded as the capital of mid Wales, and several institutions have regional or national offices there. Perhaps the most important of the public bodies located in Aberystwyth is the [[National Library of Wales]]. The library also incorporates the [[National Screen and Sound Archive of Wales]], one of six British regional film archives. The [[Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Wales]], which maintains and curates the [[National Monuments Record of Wales]] (NMRW), provides the public with information about the built heritage of Wales. Aberystwyth is also the home to the national offices of [[UCAC]] and [[Cymdeithas yr Iaith Gymraeg]], and the site of the [[Institute of Grassland and Environmental Research]]. The [[Welsh Books Council]] is also situated in Aberystwyth.

==History==
===Mesolithic===
There is evidence that during the Mesolithic Age the area of Tan-y-Bwlch at the foot of Pen Dinas was used as a flint knapping floor for hunters making weapons from flint that was deposited as the ice retreated.

===Celtic===
The remains of a celtic fortress on [[Pen Dinas]], a hill in [[Penparcau]] overlooking Aberystwyth, indicates that the site was inhabited before 700 BC. On a hill south of the present town, across the River Ystwyth, are the remains of a medieval [[ringfort]] believed to be the castle from which Princess Nest was abducted. This rare survival is now on private land and can only be accessed by arrangement.

===Middle Ages===
However, the recorded history of Aberystwyth may be said to date from the building of a fortress on the present Castle Hill, in 1109. [[Edward I of England|Edward I]] rebuilt [[Richard de Clare, 2nd Earl of Pembroke|Strongbow's]] Castle in 1277, after its destruction by the Welsh. Between the years 1404 and 1408 [[Aberystwyth Castle]] was in the hands of [[Owain Glyndŵr]], but finally surrendered to Prince Harry (the future King [[Henry V of England]]). Shortly after this the town was incorporated under the title of Ville de Lampadarn (the ancient name of the place being Llanbadarn Gaerog, or the fortified Llanbadarn, to distinguish it from [[Llanbadarn Fawr]], the village one mile inland). It is thus styled in a charter granted by [[Henry VIII of England|Henry VIII]], but by [[Elizabeth I of England|Elizabeth I's]] time the town was invariably termed [[Aberystwyth Castle|Aberystwyth]] in all documents. In 1647 the Parliamentarian troops razed the castle, so that its remains are now inconsiderable, though portions of three towers still exist. Excavations in the 1970s within the castle, in what is believed to be a stables area, revealed a complete male skeleton, deliberately buried. Rarely surviving in Wales' acidic soil, this skeleton was probably preserved by the addition of lime from the collapsed building. Affectionately known as "Charlie", he probably dates from the Civil War period, probably dying during the Parliamentarian siege and is now housed in the [[Ceredigion Museum]] in the town.

===Victorian era===
The [[Cambrian Railway]] line from Machynlleth reached Aberystwyth in the [[1860s]] closely followed by rail links to [[Carmarthen]] which resulted in the construction of the town's impressive [[Aberystwyth railway station|station]]. The railway's arrival gave rise to something of a [[Victorian era|Victorian]] tourist boom and the town was once even billed as the "Biarritz of Wales" [http://www.gigaflop.demon.co.uk/aber/AberAdvS.gif]. During this time a number of hotels and fine town houses were built including the Queens Hotel. One of the largest of these hotels "The Castle Hotel" was never completed as a hotel but following bankruptcy was sold cheaply to the Welsh National University Committee, a group of people dedicated to the creation of a Welsh University. The University College of Wales (later to become [[Aberystwyth University]]) was founded in 1872 in this building.

Aberystwyth was a [[contributory parliamentary borough]] until the [[Representation of the People Act 1884|Third Reform Act]], which caused its representation to be merged into that of the county in 1885.

===Modern History===
The [[Vale of Rheidol Railway]] narrow gauge line from [[Devil's Bridge, Ceredigion|Devil's Bridge]] was constructed between 1901 and 1902, intended to ship mineral traffic, primarily lead, from Devil's Bridge down to Aberystwyth for trans-shipment. By the time it was finished the lead mines were in a deep downturn and it therefore came to rely largely on the tourist industry. The railway opened for passengers in December 1902. It is still open for the summer season today.

On the night of Friday [[14 January]] [[1938]] a storm with estimated wind speeds of up to 90 mph struck the town. Most of the promenade was destroyed, along with 200 feet of the pier. Most properties on the seafront were damaged, most severely on Victoria Terrace.

[[Cymdeithas yr Iaith Gymraeg]] held their historic first protest on Trefechan Bridge in Aberystwyth, on 2 February 1963, and here also the first ever independent Welsh [[evangelicalism|Evangelical]] Church was established (see [[Evangelical Movement of Wales]]).

[[Merched y Wawr]] have their national headquarters in Aberystwyth.

Aberystwyth hosted the [[National Eisteddfod]] in 1865, 1916, 1952 and 1992.

On March 1st, 2005, Aberystwyth was granted [[Fairtrade Town]] status.

==Tourist facilities and attractions==
[[Image:aber2179e.jpg|thumb|right|250px|View of Aberystwyth and Cardigan Bay from the [[National Library of Wales]]]]
The town boasts:
* [[Aberystwyth_Electric_Cliff_Railway|Aberystwyth Cliff Railway]] a [[funicular railway]] and a [[camera obscura]] on Constitution Hill (known as Consti to locals)
* Castle ruins (see history section)
* A [[Vale of Rheidol Railway|steam railway]] (The aforementioned narrow gauge Vale of Rheidol Railway)
* [[Aberystwyth Arts Centre]], which houses theatres, a cinema, exhibition galleries, practice rooms and studios, shops, cafes and bars
* A [[Ceredigion Museum|local museum]]
* The Parc Penglais nature reserve
* A leisure centre, swimming pool and various other sports fields and facilities
* A marina
* A golf course
* A cinema

==Transport==
===Rail===
Aberystwyth is served by [[Aberystwyth railway station|Aberystwyth station]], situated in the town centre. The station is the terminus of a service provided by [[Arriva Trains Wales]], on a roughly two-hourly basis, over the scenic [[Cambrian Line]] to [[Shrewsbury]] and [[Birmingham]] via [[Machynlleth]] and Mid Wales. Connecting services from Machynlleth also provide a link to [[Gwynedd]]'s west coast.

Aberystwyth station is also the terminus of the [[Vale of Rheidol Railway]], a [[steam locomotive|steam operated]] [[narrow gauge railway|narrow gauge]] [[heritage railway]]. This provides a convenient and scenic transport link during the summer months to [[Devil's Bridge, Ceredigion|Devil's Bridge]], a tourist attraction about 12 miles east of the town.

===Road===
Two of Wales's important trunk roads, the [[A487 road|A487]] and [[A44 road|A44]] meet in the town, with much traffic between north and south-west Wales passing through.

Aberystwyth is also a hub for Wales's [[TrawsCambria]] bus network, with regular direct services to [[Bangor, Wales|Bangor]], [[Cardigan, Ceredigion|Cardigan]], [[Carmarthen]] and [[Cardiff]]. A daily [[National Express]] coach to London and Birmingham also exists.

==Music==
Within Wales, Aberystwyth is known for its music scene {{Fact|date=October 2007}} which has produced successful{{Fact|date=October 2007}} bands and artists such as:
*[[The Crocketts]]
*[[Hot Puppies]]
*[[Murry the Hump (band)|Murry The Hump]]
*[[Fenks]]
*[[Radio Luxembourg (band)|Radio Luxembourg]]
*[[The Winchester 4]]
*[[The Maggie Thatchers]]

*[[Rose Simpson]], once a member of the [[Incredible String Band]], was Lady Mayoress of the town in 1994.

''Aberystwyth'' is also the tune name of several minor Christian songs

*“We're the Boys From Aberystwyth” is one of the two unofficial anthems of the town, “I’m an Aberboy and I’m Ok!” being a close second.{{Fact|date=October 2007}}

==In fiction==
Aberystwyth (albeit an alternative universe version) is the setting for the cult [[Louie Knight]] series by [[Malcolm Pryce]] which transfers [[Raymond Chandler|Chandleresque "noir"]] stories and dialogue to this small seaside town. This alternative reality features many landmarks of Aberystwyth such as [[Aberystwyth University|the University]] and the [[National Library of Wales]], but the social situation is radically altered to more closely resemble the pulp/noir stereotypical "Dirty Town" that the narrative plays off. Most of the humour in the books is derived from the almost seamless juxtaposition of the real Aberystwyth and the fictional, noir Aberystwyth. Various aspects of [[Culture of Wales|Welsh culture]] are reflections of what you might expect to see in reality, but with a pulp twist - for example, prostitutes wear Welsh stovepipe hats.

In the setting for [[BattleTech#Beyond gaming|''Classic Battletech'']], a star system in the Timbuktu Theatre of Alarion Province of the Lyran Commonwealth / Lyran Alliance is named Aberystwyth.

The local writer [[Niall Griffiths]] has set many of his novels here and reflects local slang, settings and even individuals. ''Grits'' and ''Sheepshagger'' are set wholly in Aberystwyth, which also features prominently in his other novels such as ''Kelly and Victor'' and ''Stump.'' He portrays a more gritty side of Aberystwyth.

[[Nancy Bond]]'s ''A String in the Harp'' is set in the small coastal town of [[Borth]], near Aberystwyth. The main characters' father is on sabbatical leave from [[University of Massachusetts Amherst|Amherst University]] and working at the University of Wales, Aberystwyth.

==Twinned towns==
Aberystwyth is [[town twinning|twinned]] with:
* {{flagicon|Germany}} [[Kronberg im Taunus]] in [[Germany]]
* {{flagicon|Brittany}} [[St-Brieuc]] in [[Brittany]] in [[France]]

==Quotes with reference to Aberystywth==

*In the book ''[[The meaning of liff]]'' by [[Douglas Adams]] and [[John Lloyd (writer)|John Lloyd]], Aberystwyth is defined as: “A nostalgic yearning which is in itself more pleasant than the thing being yearned for.”

*[[Alfred Tennyson, 1st Baron Tennyson|Lord Tennyson]]: “This place, the Cambrian Brighton, pleases me not...”

*[[Wynford Vaughan-Thomas]]: “The perfect town for the unambitious man”

*Malcome Pryce in ''[[Aberystwyth Mon Amour]]'': “Aberystwyth was a great place for a connoisseur of irony”

== See also ==
*[[Clarach Bay]]
*[[Penglais Nature Park]]
*[[Aber and Inver as place-name elements]]

==External links==
{{commons|Aberystwyth}}
{{Wikisource1911Enc|Aberystwyth}}
*[http://www.aberystwythguide.co.uk/gallery/c1.html Photographs of Aberystwyth] at The Aberystwyth Guide.
*[http://www.aberystwythsilverband.co.uk Seindorf Arian Aberystwyth Silver Band]
*[http://www.bbc.co.uk/wales/mid/sites/aberystwyth/ BBC Guide to Aberystwyth]
*[http://www.ceredigion.gov.uk/index.cfm?articleid=197 Ceredigion Museum]
*[http://www.aberystwythartscentre.co.uk/ Aberystwyth Arts Centre]
*[http://www.aberystwythguide.org.uk/ Vas's Aberystwyth Guide]
*[http://www.aberystwyth.org.uk About Aberystwyth]
*[http://www.aberystwyth-online.co.uk Aberystwyth Online]

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[[Category:Beaches of Wales]]
[[Category:Seaside resorts in Wales]]
[[Category:Towns in Ceredigion]]
[[Category:Towns in Cardiganshire]]
[[Category:Market towns in Wales]]
[[Category:University towns]]

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