Aberdulais Mill

I don't want to sound rude about the place, but Aberystwyth's charm is of a rather old-fashioned sort. It doesn't seemed to have changed at all since I last visited it decades ago. The most striking thing in the shopping area was the absence of the usual chains. Unless I missed them, there are no Starbucks, no Gap, no Next, no Top Shop/Man etc etc. Instead there are lots of traditional-looking family-run businesses. Good for supporting the local economy but how long can they keep the global chains out?

But the really great thing we found in Aberystwyth is the National Library of Wales. There were various exhibitions on, including a brilliant one called 'small world' which was about people visiting Wales form elsewhere, and Welsh people travelling the world. Lots of artefacts and photos from Welsh settlements in Argentina, Melbourne, and Ohio - really good. Also some of those wonderful railway posters from the 30s and 40s.

I don't think photography was allowed but I managed to sneak a couple (no flash of course) of pictures by JMW Turner - including this waterolour and another oil painting - both of subjects in Wales. These are quite early works, from the late 1790s.

Alternatives today:

Dolbadarn Castle - another Turner
Bea's bar
Llangranog