Cross Inn, Cei Newydd/New Quay Area Guide

History

Until the early 19th Century, New Quay consisted of a few thatched cottages surrounded by agricultural land, the natural harbour providing a safe mooring for fishing boats and a few small trading vessels. The New Quay Harbour Act was passed in 1834 and a stone pier was constructed at a cost of £4,700. Trading activity increased and new houses were built as economic migrants arrived. Shipbuilding began to take place and the town increased in size with the construction of terraced housing up the slopes of the sheltered bay.

By the 1840s, more than three hundred workmen were employed in shipbuilding in three centres, New Quay itself, Traethgwyn, a bay just to the north, and Cei-bach, a pebble beach further north below a wooded cliff. Here were constructed not only smacks and schooners for sailing along the coast, but also larger vessels for sailing to the Americas and Australia. At that time, as well as shipwrights, New Quay had half a dozen blacksmith shops, three sail makers, three ropeworks and a foundry. Most of the male inhabitants of the town were mariners or employed in occupations linked with the sea. The observant tourist can still see the old warehouses, now put to new uses, lengths of chain, metal rings and capstans, and a list of tolls for exports and imports can still be seen outside the harbourmaster's office.

By 1870, shipbuilding had ceased at New Quay but most of the men living there still went to sea. There were navigation schools in the town and many of the last square riggers that sailed the world were captained by New Quay men. Between 1850 and 1927, the Board of Trade issued 1,380 Merchant Master and Mate certificates to New Quay men. As early as 1907, a local newspaper noted that “New Quay, that rising little Welsh watering place, boasts that it has more retired sea captains living in it than any other place of its own size in Wales.” At the 1939 War Register, there were 58 sailors (active and retired) living in New Quay, of whom 30 were master mariners, with more at sea who were not included in the Register.

Highlights and attractions

Key attractions for holidaymakers include the picturesque harbour and expansive sandy beaches, as well as opportunities, including boat trips, to see the population of bottlenose dolphins that lives in Cardigan Bay. The town has a heritage centre and marine wildlife centre, as well as a tourist information centre. Nearby New Quay Honey Farm, the largest bee farm in Wales, has a live bee exhibition and sells honey, mead and beeswax. The outskirts of the town feature many large holiday parks and caravan sites.

The annual Cardigan Bay Regatta, usually in August, has been conducted since at least the 1870s. Events now include inshore sports (swimming, rowing, etc.) and dinghy and cruiser racing.

There are extensive beach walks, as well as cliff walks along the Coastal Path, south to Llangrannog and north to Aberaeron.

The National Trust's Llanerchaeron estate is just a short drive away,as is the 18th century Ty Glyn Walled Garden in Ciliau Aeron. Less than an hour's drive away, you'll find the neolithic Pentre Ifan Burial Chamber, as well as the Castell Henllys Iron Age Village. Restored steam trains on the Vale of Rheidol Railway leave from nearby Aberystwyth on the scenic route to Devil’s Bridge.