Celtic Ceredigion: hillforts and mythical heroes
Standing stones and hill forts are monuments to early man’s settlement of Ceredigion - there are over 170 identified hill forts and enclosures scattered across Ceredigion from the summit of Pumlumon mountain to the Cardigan Bay coast. Many are linked to legends and are great destinations for walks and views.
The age of saints in Ceredigion
According to tradition, St David - the Patron Saint of Wales - was raised on the Ceredigion coast, and later performed his most famous miracle at the Synod of Llanddewi Brefi, in Ceredigion's Cambrian Mountains. Ceredigion has several ancient holy sites which are in use today, from healing wells and early churches to centres of modern learning and multi faith culture.
Welsh princes and Ceredigion castles
Ceredigion was once its own kingdom, lying between the lands of powerful chieftains and princes to the north, east and south, as well as Roman, Viking and Norman invaders. As well as being blessed with the natural defences of mountain, rivers and sea, several castles were built, fought over and destroyed, leaving a legacy of intriguing and romantic ruins.
The spirit of the Cambrian Mountains metal miners
The copper, gold, silver and lead mines of Ceredigion and the Cambrian Mountains are among the earliest in Britain, dating back over two thousand years. Since then the hills of Ceredigion have been mined by monks and kings and have drawn prospectors in search of riches from as far afield as 18th century Germany and Italy.
Georgian genius and gorgeous mansions in Ceredigion
As mining, coastal trading and fishing and innovations in agriculture brought greater wealth to Ceredigion, grand houses were built for the gentry. Llanerchaeron has survived intact, others, including Nanteos, Gogerddan and Trawsgoed adapted, whilst others were ruined and lost, with only a hint of their presence as nature once more reclaims the land.
Religion, radicalism and rebellion
Ceredigion has always enjoyed a reputation for being radical and farmers, mineworkers and even chapel congregations have battled to assert their rights. Discover sites and their intriguing stories across Ceredigion from mountain moorland to towns and tollgates.
Victorian visionaries and adventurers
Harbours busy with coastal commerce and emigrants eager to discover new worlds; engineers harnessing the power of water for industry, radical thinkers and rebellion, and philanthropists founding a 'people's university'.
