Cardigan

If peace, quiet and miles of open, secluded Welsh countryside sound like the ingredients to your perfect getaway, the small, coastal town of Cardigan in mid-Wales could be right up your street.

Cardigan was once the county town of Cardiganshire and is located in one of the most sparsely-populated areas in Wales. It sits on Cardigan Bay, a 40-mile stretch of idyllic Welsh coastline that features a unique array of flora, fauna, cliffs and caves. Inland from Cardigan is the Teifi Valley, a sweeping area of remote moorland, enjoyed by walkers seeking to get away from it all and also by ornithologists keen to glimpse the skylarks, merlins, grouse, kestrels and red kites that make their homes there.

The town of Cardigan itself is home to around 4,000 people and a castle that dates back to the 11th Century. Cardigan Castle has a rich history but was severely damaged in the English Civil War. Restorative work in recent years has made great strides in restoring the castle to its former glory.

With its ample facilities and easy access to such stunning areas of coast and countryside, Cardigan is a great place to enjoy a self-catering cottage holiday. Visitors can enjoy the sympathetically restored town centre shops, a modern arts centre, a theatre and a nineteenth century guildhall, amongst various shops, bars and cafes in the centre.