Exploring Cenarth Falls and Newcastle Emlyn

Although small, the pretty village of Cenarth in West Wales is a popular tourist attraction because of its spectacular series of waterfalls and salmon-leap. Cenarth Falls is a natural beauty spot with a glorious low-rise cascade and ancient watermill.  It’s close to Newcastle Emlyn, the legendary resting place of Wales’ last dragon.

Leaping fish, a gushing waterfall and a heroic dragon sounded like the perfect ingredients for a family day out.  So, we set off to discover the natural force that is Cenarth Falls and explore the charming town of Newcastle Emlyn.

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We started our family visit at Cenarth Falls.  This mighty waterfall is in the centre of Cenarth village, just below the 17^th century road bridge.

Parking is available in the car park adjacent to Cenarth Bridge, for a daily charge of £2.50.  From the car park it is a short walk to see the magnificent Cenarth Falls.

Although you can actually see Cenarth Falls from the car park, you’ll enjoy it far more with a riverside walk.  Boardwalks follow a scenic waterside trail beside the river for about a mile.  For the most part there’s a handrail.  Unfortunately the planks have snapped in places, so may not be accessible for all.

At the end of the boardwalk, you can retrace your steps or continue along the track away from the river.  This extended route takes you on a picturesque walk under a tunnel of trees.

Standing on the opposite riverbank to the car park is a charming historic mill and waterwheel.  Built in the 17^th century, this flour mill was still in use until after World War II.  The present Cenarth Mill was built near the site of the original mill, which was once owned by King Edward I.

To learn something about Cenarth’s history and heritage, cross the bridge to visit the National Coracle Centre.  For those who don’t know, a coracle is a one-person boat made from willow and animal skin.  Fishermen have used them for thousands of years and Cenarth was once a famous coracle fishing village.

This museum and workshop showcase a unique collection of coracles from around the world.  You can discover the history of the traditional fishing boat and its users.

For nature enthusiasts, the best time to visit Cenarth Falls is in autumn.  This is when the salmon and sea trout leap their way up the River Teifi to spawn.  It’s a spectacular natural phenomenon, that attracts visitors to Cenarth from all over the world.

However, we were there in summer, which was a pleasant time to visit and not too busy.

If you want to stay near Cenarth Falls, there are several cosy cabins in the Penlan Holiday Village.

Click here for prices and availability at Caban Coetir or Caban Cwtch.  Alternatively, you could stay in a cottage overlooking the river.

We stayed in nearby seaside town of Aberporth, which is about 8 miles away.  See below for accommodation in Aberporth.

Of course, no trip to a new village is complete without a peek in the souvenir shops.  Cenarth has a couple of gift shops, some cosy tearooms and two pubs.  We headed for the White Hart Inn pub, where we sat in the courtyard outside.  It’s a family-friendly pub, serving pub food and real ale.

Alternatively, head down to the other side of the bridge and explore this riverside area. It’s a shallow section of the river, which is great for paddling or stone skimming!

You’ll find some public toilets next to the church here.

For more local history and heritage, including legends of Welsh kings and dragons, we headed over to explore nearby Newcastle Emlyn.  It is only 3 miles from Cenarth by car and takes less than 10 minutes to drive.  You can park for free by the castle.

Newcastle Emlyn is a small, historic town, located in a hairpin bend of the River Teifi.  Its main attraction is its 13^th century castle and its biggest claim to fame is that they slain the last dragon in Wales here!  How could we resist?

The castle at Newcastle Emlyn sits on a peninsula of land surrounded on three sides by the River Teifi.  It has a long and turbulent history, often providing the battlefield for feuding English and Welsh lords.  It is unusual that the locals built the castle, rather than occupying armies.

Today, there’s not much left of the castle to look at,  as Newcastle Emlyn Castle has been in ruins since the civil war in the 1640s.  However, it is still an impressive building and worth a visit.  Another bonus is that admission to Newcastle Emlyn Castle is free and it’s in a beautiful location.

After a visit to the castle, you can follow a short riverside walk round the perimeters of the peninsula.  Story boards along the way relay the history of the castle and the demise of the last dragon.  You can also learn about the efforts of villagers to resurrect the dragon.  A wooden egg on the hill represents the rebirth.

From the castle it’s only a few minutes’ walk to the town centre.  Newcastle Emlyn is a quirky, market town with a plenty of character.  On the way, you’ll pass the old market square, which has a prominent position in the centre of town.

The town hall with its ornate clock tower and market buildings are now listed buildings.  The building is home to the town museum, where you’ll find a collection of historic photographs and information about the town’s history.  It also houses Newcastle Emlyn’s very own playhouse, the Attic Theatre.

In the town centre at Newcastle Emlyn, you’ll find some brightly painted buildings, an antique centre, and galleries.  It offers a handful of cafés or you can pick up some sweet treats in Cardigan Bay Brownies.

We can personally recommend the homemade cake in Harrison’s Café.  Perfect for a boost on a rainy day!  They also serve full English breakfasts and a Sunday roast.

There’s a good choice of self-catering accommodation in Newcastle Emlyn, including cottages, lodges, and cabins.  See below for details on Booking.com

However, if you fancy something more quirky, what about a vintage Airstream Bus.  Click here for prices.  Or, if you are looking for group accommodation in Newcastle Emlyn, try the Wales Luxury River House.

Cenarth Falls and Newcastle Emlyn are on the borders of Pembrokeshire, Ceredigion, and Carmarthenshire, in West Wales.

You can get to both by road on the A484 from Cardigan.  The nearest train station is Carmarthen, which is 16 miles away.

There are so many things to do near Cenarth and Cardigan.

If you love waterfalls, you should pay a visit to the Ffynone Waterfall, which is just over the border in Pembrokeshire.  Or you could do some dolphin spotting around Cardigan Bay.

Alternatively, head to the nearby village of Cilgerran to see Cilgerran Castle and do some walking at the Welsh Wildlife Centre.

Have you been to Cenarth Falls or Newcastle Emlyn?  We’d love to hear your comments below.

You may also like:

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• 12 reasons why you need to visit Pembrokeshire Coast National Park

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