Lampeter

Welsh language and culture continues to thrive in Lampeter. The town is best known for the University of Wales, Trinity Saint David (formerly University of Wales, Lampeter and before that St David's University College), which was founded in 1822 as a theological college. Its central building is modelled on an Oxbridge quadrangle and was completed in 1827. Lampeter University is the third oldest university in Britain, after Oxford and Cambridge.
The earliest written reference to Lampeter is believed to be 1187, when Owain Gwynedd destroyed the English king's castle of Pont Steffan ('Stephen's Bridge' in Welsh). The castle's remains formed the foundations for the college building and still forms part of the university campus.

By train

• From London Paddington, train to Carmarthen (a few trains are direct, but generally will need to change in Swansea). Bus from Carmarthen to Lampeter, journey time approximately 1 hr There are four buses each way on a Sunday and an hourly service on other days. The last bus leaves Carmarthen at 7PM on a weekday. The bus to catch is the T1 service operated jointly by Traws Cymru. It stops outside Carmarthen Railway Station.
• From Birmingham (New Street Station), catch train to Aberystwyth then catch bus from Aberystwyth to Lampeter (Traws Cymru route T1 from Stand 7 opposite the station; hourly service M-Sa, last bus 21:40, and four on a Sunday, last bus 19:00, takes approximately 1hr).

Train times are available from National Rail Enquiries, telephone 08457 484950 from within the UK. Bus times are available from Traveline, telephone 0871 200 22 33 (premium rate and can not be dialled from many countries outside the UK).

Since the closure of Lampeter's train station a number of years ago, travel options in and around Lampeter are restricted to buses and taxis. Buses are reliable and go to the nearby towns of Aberystwyth and Carmarthen.
Lampeter is a small town; vehicles are not necessary to explore the town, only to travel to other towns and cities, although there are local services to surrounding areas.

• University of Wales, Trinity St David

• St Peter's Church of Wales

  address: Maesllan

• Dolaucothi Gold Mines

  phone: +44 1558 650177
  address: Pumsaint, Llanwrda, Carmarthenshire, SA19 8US
  The presence of untapped gold resources was one of the primary reasons the Romans invaded Britain, and here is the proof. Visitors can tour the mines, and walk in the footsteps of 2000-year-old miners.

• Lampeter Museum

  address: College Street, SA48 7ED
  Lampeter's local history museum. Friendly and knowledgeable staff and a range of interesting exhibits.

Events

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• Liberal arts at the University of Wales, Lampeter.

• Denmark Farm Conservation CentreConservation and Ecology Courses

• Conti's Café

  phone: +44 1570 422223
  address: 5 Harford Square
  Home-made and additive free ice cream and specialist coffee shop. Home-made food and light lunches, family owned and run for the last 40 years.

• Jac's Cafe

  address: 11 Bridge St
  Jac's is a friendly little cafe serving meals and snacks all day from breakfast.

• Shapla Tandoori

  phone: +44 1570 422076
  address: 8 College Street
  Indian restaurant. Take-away available.

• Town Hall Cafe Deli

  phone: +44 1570 421599
  address: Town Hal
  Café and deli specialising in local food and drink produce.

• The Mustard Seed

  address: College Street
  Lovely café with home-made cakes and food, good coffee, good range of gluten-free cake, bread and Welsh cakes. Clean and comfortable. Good toilets and plenty of room inside and on the patio weather permitting.

Budget

Mid-range

• Denmark Farm Eco-Lodge

  phone: +44 1570 493358
  address: Betws Bledrws

• Haulfan Guest House

  phone: +44 1570 422718
  address: 6 Station Terrace
  A guest house with 3 double and 1 single rooms.

• Treberfedd Farm Holiday Cottages

  phone: +44 1570 470672
  address: Treberfedd, Dihewyd, Lampeter, Ceredigion SA48 7NW
  Self-catering holiday cottages (including grade II listed thatched farmhouse) on a working organic farm near Lampeter.

Splurge

• The Falcondale hotel and restaurant

  address: Falcondale Drive
  A Country House Hotel in 14 acres of grounds, including lawns, woodland and gardens. Built in an Italianate style in the 19th century as a private house, and converted to a hotel in 1980. All 18 rooms are en-suite with free Wi-Fi internet access. A 2AA rosetted restaurant is open to non-residents.