Why Living In Aberystwyth Is The Best: The Student Guide

Aberystwyth is a beautiful university and seaside town located on the coast of West Wales.

Well known for its picturesque beaches, natural beauty, quaint streets, historic landmarks, and cultural attractions, this town offers plenty of fun things to do for those living here. 

Of course, it’s also home to Aberystwyth University, one of the oldest and most prestigious universities in Wales, with a student population of 10,000 students from across the UK and beyond. 

It may be smaller than most places, but the compactness of the Welsh town certainly ensures you don’t have to mooch too far to get involved with the array of activities on the doorstep of your student accommodation.

We’ve done our research and put together this guide on why living in Aberystwyth for university is the best.

Carry on reading to find out! 

living in Aberystwyth

1. A Beautiful Seafront 

Living in the charming seaside town of Aberystwyth means you’ll be right on the doorstep of a beautiful seafront that stretches for miles along the coastline. 

During your student years, you can take a stroll, admire the views of Cardigan Bay, soak up the sunshine, have a picnic with your friends or just simply sunbathe and take some time to relax. 

If you’re a fan of water sports, you can even get involved in some paddle boarding when the weathers nice, or take a dip in the sea during the summer.

Who doesn’t love a trip to the beach? Whilst living here you can take advantage of it! 

Aberystwyth seafront

2. Historical Landmarks 

There is a wealth of things to do in Aberystwyth to suit everyone’s tastes so, your calendar will be filled up. 

Whilst living here, you can explore the town’s rich history by taking a visit to the ruins of Aberystwyth Castle, a Grade I listed Edwardian fortress.

Offering stunning views of the town, promenade. pier and coast, this landmark is a must-see for students and locals alike! 

Another historical destination which is certainly worth visiting during your university years is the Amgueddfa Ceredigion Museum. 

Inside a beautifully preserved Edwardian theatre are permanent and temporary displays that explore Ceredigion’s heritage, culture and art.

It’s well worth taking a trip to delve into the history of your new home. 

Aberystwyth Castle

3. Cultural Hubs 

After a cultural fix whilst living in Aberystwyth? Not to worry, there are plenty of places for you to enjoy. 

The Aberystwyth Arts Centre is the largest arts centre in Wales and is recognised as a national flagship for the arts. 

This award winning cultural hub is part of Aberystwyth University, and features a theatre, concert hall, studio and cinema, gallery spaces as well as cafés, bars, and shops. 

For those who love reading, you spend hours delving into Welsh history and culture at The National Library of Wales.

Situated in the heart of Aberystwyth, this library houses more than 4 million books, including the first book ever to be published in Welsh in 1546! 

The National Library of Wales

4. Stunning Sights 

During the summer, one of the best things to do in Aberystwyth is to walk the Victorian Promenade which stretches across the town. Although, there are plenty of other stunning sights to discover whilst living here. 

Constitution Hill is one of the most scenic green spaces and lucky for you students, it’s located in the heart of Aberystwyth overlooking several of the Welsh Mountains and Cardigan Bay. 

There’s no better way to see the town’s historic streets and landmarks than the Aberystwyth Town Trail.

This is a self-guided walking tour that takes you through the likes of the old market hall and the war memorial.

For those weekends where you’re off uni, make sure to take a trip to the Aberystwyth Cliff Railway with your friends.

It’s actually the longest funicular electric cliff railway in Britain and offers amazing panoramic views of the town and the coast! 

Aberystwyth Cliff Railway

5. Food & Drink 

Aberystwyth has plenty of local restaurants, bars and cafes where you can enjoy some tasty foods and drinks when you don’t feel like cooking in your student flat. 

For eating out with your friends, Little Italy is an intimate Italian style restaurant with a warm charm and a relaxed atmosphere which is well worth heading to. 

Situated in the heart of Aberystwyth, it is an ideal place for indulging in some mouth-watering foods and drinks. 

Another top rated food and drink hub is Medina, a casual-chic Mediterranean cafe serving up delicious kebabs, homemade cakes and desserts, tea and coffee. 

If you’re searching for places to enjoy some drinks with your friends in this Welsh town, The Angel Inn is a cheap and cheerful pub.

It has a great atmosphere and a 4am licence so the party never has to stop!

food and drink with friends

6. Annual Events 

There are plenty of annual events and festivals in this town, each offering something different so everyone can get involved in the fun.  

One of the biggest annual events which takes place in the town is The International Ceramics Festival, Europe’s premier ceramics festival.

Held at Aberystwyth Arts Centre, the dates for this year’s event are the 30th June until the 2nd July 2023. 

For music fans, The Big Tribute Festival also takes place every year in Aberystwyth in August.

Here you can enjoy a weekend of live music, free camping and make some unforgettable memories with your friends. 

If none of these are tickling your fancy, there are plenty of other events and activities to get involved with whilst living in Aberystwyth!

events in Aberystwyth

There we have it, the end of our guide on things you might want to know about living in Aberystwyth.

As you’ve discovered, there is so much to do in this town so your student years will be well spent! 

It’s no wonder that Aberystwyth ranked 1st in England and Wales for student satisfaction in the 2022 National Student Survey

Read next: Students Can Now Use Artificial Intelligence To Write Assignments, Does It Really Work?

Table of Contents