Tregaron Wales local history, tourist information, B&B and self catering holiday accommodation

Tregaron is an ideal place to stay for people who enjoy, cycling, walking, bird-watching and fishing as well as being a central location for the many historic sites and attractions that West Wales has to offer. A small market town, Tregaron lies 17 miles south of Aberystwyth, 12 miles east of the seaside town of Aberaeron and 12 miles north of Lampeter. Tregaron nestles in the foothills of the Cambrian mountains near the mountainous source of the river Teifi. To the east of Tregaron stretch mile after mile of heathered hills, some of the last great unspoiled areas of Wales. To the north is Cors Caron or Tregaron Bog, a huge red-tinted marshland. A National Nature Reserve, Cors Caron is famous for the variety of wildlife and birds to be spotted there. Tregaron Map

In the early 19th century Tregaron was a thriving market town and a staging post for drovers taking their animals over the bleak Cambrian Mountains to the markets of England. Cattle, sheep, ponies, pigs and even geese were driven over the mountains after being purchased from local fairs. Tregaron's traditional market, Ffair Garon, was granted its Royal Charter in 1292 and is still held today.

Natwest Bank and Red Lion Pub Tregaron was also well known for it's wool and woollen products. The Doldre area of the town was renowned for its knitting. These products were sold at local markets and also sent to the mining communities in South Wales. Wool from the Tregaron area was even used as a base for the railway line that was built across the Cors Caron bog.

The town had a large number of public houses and blacksmiths shops to support this trade and this, in turn, gave rise to a thriving banking business. The Aberystwith and Tregaron, or Black Sheep, bank which was set up in 1810 was one of the first banks in Wales.

Henry Richard, 'The Apostle of Peace'
Henry Richard was was born in Tregaron in 1812. A bronze statue by the sculptor Albert Toft was erected in the main square in August 1893, where it still stands today. The statue was built in recognition of his efforts to promote international peace and for his contribution to developing secondary and higher education in Wales. In 1868 he was elected M.P. for Mrthyr Tydfil and in 1883 he became the first Vice President of Cardiff University College. A plaque on the statue reads as follows:
'Born here in Tregaron, he was educated for the Christian ministry, and in 1835 he was ordained in London. In 1848 he was appointed secretary to the Peace Society gaining an international reputation as 'The Apostle of Peace'.

Joseph Jenkins, the Welsh Swagman.
Joseph Jenkins (1818-1898) was born at Blaenplwyf near Talsarn, Cardiganshire, one of twelve children. He married at the age of 28 when he began farming at Trecefel, just south of Tregaron. Jenkins wrote poetry, specialising in the englynion, a Welsh verse form. He became a successful farmer (Trecefel was judged the best farm in Cardiganshire in 1857) a leading figure in the community.
Then suddenly - at the age of 51 - he decided to leave his wife and family and emigrated to Australia, where he stayed for twenty-five years until he returned home again in 1894.
Between 1869 and 1894, Jenkins lived much of his life in central Victoria including Maldon, Ballarat and Castlemaine where he worked as a 'swagman' or itinerant worker.
Throughout his life Jenkins kept a diaries of his everyday life. The diaries, consisting of 25 volumes, were discovered 70 years after Jenkins' death in the attic of one of his descendants in Wales. The diaries were published in 1975 as 'Diary of a Welsh Swagman', Jenkins’ writings have become a popular Australian history text.
In 2001 Pity the Swagman by Bethan Phillips was published recounting his life in both Wales and Australia. Diary of a Welsh swagman 1869-1894

Twm Sion Cati (Catti), the Robin Hood of Wales
Twm Sion Cati (Thomas Jones), the Robin Hood of Wales, lived 1530-1609. Known as the Wild Wag of Wales, he was born near Tregaron. He seems to have been a two-sided personality - bard, scholar, landowner on one hand; practical joker, wit, hiwayman and general scallywag on the other.

Excerpt from the 1977 book 'Hawkmoor' by Lynn Hughes, creator and co-writer of the BBC serial 'Hawkmoor'.
The legend of Twm Sion Cati lived on in the oral tradition of Wales for nearly 200 years before being written down by Meyrick in the early nineteenth century. There exists his will, his genealogies, his poetry scattered through various manuscripts, his pardon in five aliases under Great Seal 1559 and an account of his conflict with Vicar Morgan Davyd of Tregaron in the courts of the Court of Star Chamber around 1600. The ruins of (his home) Fountaingate are still visible beside the Tregaron-Abergwesyn road a mile outside the town. Twm Sion Cati's cave near Ystradffin, Rhandirmwyn (Camarthenshire), is popular with tourists. It is hidden in an R.S.P.B nature reserve. Born in 1530, illegitimate son of a descendant of the Gwaethfod family, Princes of Cardiganshire, who had distinguished litery traditions, Thomas Jones died in 1609. He was a gentleman farmer and genealogist. Sion Dafydd Jones, a contemporary scholar, describes him as the finest Herald Bard of his day. He won the chair at Llandaff Esisteddfod in 1561. He was a notorious outlaw. He lived many lives. His fellow bards and poets describe him as a womaniser, an unsucessful one like Dafydd ap Gwilym. He was married twice and had legitimate as well as illegilimate issue, two sons John and Rees (a base son John Moythe) and a daughter Margaret, who married a Griffith David (Davyd?). He married Johane Williams Ystadffin within the month of her husband, Thomas Williams's death, September 1607. He was then seventy-seven years of age. He soon busied himself with forging Thomas Williams's will in this wife's favour, though she had been left £2000 per annum and property worth £3000, a considerable sum of money!

Cors Caron

View of Cors Caron looking north from Pont Einon on the Tregaron - Aberystwyth road where the river Teifi leaves the bog

Cors Caron, or Tregaron Bog was once a large shallow lake fed by the river Teifi which flows down from its source in the high hills east of the village of Pontrhydfendigaid. At the end of the last Ice Age a glacier melted, leaving a natural dam across the valley creating a lake which filled with sediment and vegetation.
Today this former lake is the best remaining example of an active raised bog in England and Wales. It is an important refuge for a wide range of plants, insects, birds and mammals.
Around 170 species of birds have been recorded at the bog including Whooper swans which spend the winter here after migrating down from Russia and Scandinavia. Rarities are occasionally reported which have included the Purple Heron, Montagu's Harrier and Great Grey Shrike. Mammals such as otters, polecats, red foxes and the rare water vole are common, as are reptiles such as the adder, slow worm and common lizard.

Cors Caron is a National Nature Reserve, owned and managed by the Countryside Council for Wales. For visitors the Old Railway Walk and viewing tower are accessible at all times but elsewhere a permit is needed. A walk around Cors Caron

Red Kites

A wide variety of birds can be spotted at Cors Caron but one of the area's most spectacular sights is the rare red kite. The red kite (milvus milvus) with its distinctive 'V' tail feathers and underbody colouring can often be seen soaring over the local hills and Tregaron town itself. The Red Kite

Tregaron red kite centre and museum in the old National School The newly refurbished Red Kite Centre in Tregaron provides information not only on red kites but also other local wildlife around Tregaron and Cors Caron with live video of red kites, otters, owls, bats and small birds at their nesting sites. It is also a local history museum featuring the Tregaron district and the way of life in rural Welsh communities. A tea room serves traditional Welsh food made from local produce.

Opening Hours:
Open 7 days a week (March until October) 10.30am-4.30pm. Admission is free.
Winter opening hours ( November until March) 12.00am-4.00pm, please call (01974) 831486 for further details.

Abergwesyn Pass

The old Abergwesyn drovers road climbs east from Tregaron crossing the remote and beautiful Mynydd Elenydd Range of the Cambrian Mountains which offers a spectacular journey of remoteness and breathtaking scenery.
Travelling in the Irfon gorge towards the Devils Staircase

The 14mile journey along the old drovers road provides one of Britain's most memorable drives. Leaving the market square and passing through the Pentre area of the town the single track road winds up through the Brenig valley, passing through a forestry plantation, before emerging into an area of high moorland almost devoid of trees, where one of the only signs of civilisation is a red telephone box. Leaving the moorland the road drops down the 1 in 4 Devils Staircase, with its hairpin bends, into the Irfon valley from where it follows a narrow ledge cut into the side of the mountain to Abergwesyn. Teifi pools in the Cambrian mountains above Tregaron

"But it is worth venturing, for he who crosses the mountains there can not only see some of the finest views in Great Britain, but can boast if he reaches the other side of being both a good driver and a brave man" - Gareth Jones By car across wildest Wales in 1933

The wild hills to the east of Tregaron contain some of the most beautiful scenery in Britain. In 1972 the Cambrian Mountains were even designated Britain's eleventh National Park by the Countryside Commission, but the designation was thwarted by politicians. The Cambrian Mountains have both lost and gained from this: the losses are recognition, protection, and an economic uplift for the tourist industry; the gain is a peace and solitude hard to find in any of the other national parks. www.cambrian-mountains.co.uk

Walking

Walking in the Tregaron area encompasses that value added factor. On your door-step can be see rolling hills as far as the eye can see. Added to this the occasional peak and excursions into hidden valleys, Tregaron and the surrounding area comprises of a cocktail of interesting, satisfying, and for the ambitious, challenging days out in the hills. Nature at it's best, is what some have said , where wildlife can be observed first-hand, in all its glory. There is something for all the family.

A quiet moment in Cwm Berwyn Clwb Cerdded Crwydro Caron was established in 2003 by 6 enthusiastic walkers who saw the need for a walking based club in the area that not only answered the needs of the local population, but also the requirements of the many visitors who are welcomed to the area affectionately referred to as the 4th Unofficial National Park of Wales, The Cambrian Mountains.
There are nine local walks all within a short distance from Tregaron Square. Some will start from the Square itself, others require a short scenic drive. There is a gradual progression within the walks timetable culminating in the Tregaron Three Peaks Challenge in August.
A trip up to Wales' highest mountain will be reward enough for those few who have completed most of the Club's walks.

Click Here for booking and further information.

Talbot Hotel

The Talbot Hotel, Tregaron

The 13th century Talbot Hotel standing in Tregaron square was visited in 1854 by George Borrow author of Wild Wales who declared 'I experienced very good entertainment at the Tregaron Inn, had an excellent supper and a very comfortable bed'. Wild Wales by George Borrow

In July 1848 an elephant from "Batty's Menagerie" died as the result of drinking lead poisoned water and is reputed to be buried in the field at the rear of the hotel.

The old drovers road to Abergwesyn starts at the Talbot Hotel. Before setting off on the long rough journey across the mountains the black cattle were shod with iron plates in a blacksmiths shop in a field behind the hotel. (One of a number of blacksmiths in Tregaron at this time). Pigs were fitted with woollen 'socks' with leather soles and geeses' feet were coated with tar and sand to prepare them for the journey.

The Talbot Hotel today looks much as it would have done 100 years ago. The inn which adjoins the hotel was nominated for 'Best West Wales Open Fire' award in 2001 and offers good food and ale with friendly service with a truly 'local' atmosphere.

The Talbot is billed as 'The best Roots venue in Wales' and hosts regular live music events organised by Cambria Arts. Gig Guide

Visit the Talbot Hotel Website

Welsh Gold

Gold has been mined in Wales since Roman times, but only in small quantities. Mining costs and and the small amount of gold recovered make Welsh gold rare and expensive. There are 3 gold mines in Wales today. Dolaucothi, near Pumpsaint, is now inactive and owned by the National Trust. Gwynfynydd, in Dolgellau, has been restored after being inactive and the public can now visit the working gold mine. The third mine near Barmouth is not open to the public.

Rhiannon Welsh Gold and crafts centre The Welsh Gold Centre in Tregaron square sells items of jewellery crafted from Welsh gold. Rhiannon

Established in 1971 by Rhiannon Jones, the centre also offers a large range of locally crafted items.

With financial support from the Welsh Development Agency the Centre has now been refurbishing and converted into a major tourist attraction. It now includes display workshops, a jewellery showroom, exhibition galleries, a retail craft centre and tea room.

Art and Crafts

Oriel CAMBRIA Gallery

The Oriel Cambria Gallery is run by Cambria Arts to promote the work of artists living in and around mid Wales. It is situated upstairs on the first floor of Rhiannon Gold Centre in the heart of Tregaron.

Celf Cambria Arts is a voluntary arts association based in Tregaron. For more details of exhibitions and artists exhibiting at the Oriel Gallery please visit the Celf Cambria Arts website

Events

Annual Events:

Ffair Garon Traditional Country Fair - May (last Bank Holiday)
Tregaron Music Festival - July (1st Friday / Saturday)
Tregaron Carnival - July (3rd Saturday)
Tregaron Show - August (3rd Wednesday)
Tregaron Eisteddfod - September (2nd Friday / Saturday)
Contact Curiad Caron for exact dates

Tregaron Trotting Club:

Tregaron Trotting Club hosts regular races throughout the summer at the Dôl-yr-Ychain racetrack. Top class horses from all over Britain compete at this popular rural track which is located on the B4343 between Tregaron and Pontrhydfendigaid.

Tregaron Spring Harness Racing Meet - May (1st Saturday after May Bank Holiday)

Tregaron Classic Harness Racing Meet - August (Friday / Saturday, August Bank Holiday)

Tel: 01974 261343 for more details, Tregaron Trotting Club

Curiad Caron

Curiad Caron is a community & tourism venture to promote Tregaron and the surrounding area. Curiad Caron offices are in Chapel Street, Tregaron where a wide range of literature and information on events, tourist attractions and local issues can be found.

Curiad Caron have listings of organised long distance, themed and historical walks in the Tregaron area.

Telephone 01974 298146, e-mail info@curiadcaron.org or visit the Curiad Caron website.

Local Area

Please see links below.

Tregaron is 10 miles north of the University town of Lampeter and 17 miles south east of the coastal resort and university town of Aberystwyth.

To the west, also on Cardigan Bay, are the resorts of Aberaeron and New Quay.

A few miles to the north of the town beyond the village of Pontrhydfendigaid the river Teifi rises and begins the journey to its estuary at Cardigan from the Teifi Pools, six adjacent lakes some of which are dammed. A few miles beyond these to the north east lies the Elan valley reservoir complex.

Other local places of interest include the village of Llanddewi Brefi (mentioned in Little Britains 'only gay in the village') and Strata Florida abbey.
Legend has it that the ground rose up to allow David, patron saint of Wales, to address the congregation in Llanddewi Brefi. The resultant mound can be seen to this day and the parish church is built upon it.
Strata Florida abbey, near Pontrhydfendigaid, fell victim to the Dissolution and today survives in ruins. The abbey is reputed to be the burial place of Dafydd ap Gwilym, the most notable of the Welsh strict metre poets of the Middle Ages.