New Quay, Cardigan Bay

 

New Quay, Cardigan Bay

 

New Quay, or Cei Newydd, is a picturesque holiday village and has a harbour, fishing, sightseeing boats and water sports.

 

During the season the tourist information centre is worth visiting for event information, it is at the top of the pier n

above south beach.

 

Car parking is limited by the beaches but there is plenty of pay and display parking at the top of the steep hill.  New Quay is signposted from the A 487 coast road.

 

History.
Originally New Quay was a simple stone jetty built about 1700, the Quay survives on the North Beach by the lifeboat station.  At that time there was no village.
About a hundred years later shipbuilding was well established, maritime shipping was flourishing and New Quay was a sizable town.
The fine stone pier was built in 1836 and this helped New Quay to compete as a ship building centre with the larger towns of Cardigan and Aberystwyth.  This success was short lived as steel and steam powered ships were developed and the new railways resulted in the decline of marine trade.
The last ship was built in New Quay in 1878 and progressively the town depended on tourism for its income. 

 

Today
New Quay is very tourism dependant with large caravan parks around its perimeter.
Its popularity is well founded it has 3 splendid beaches and from the top of the town there are wonderful views across Cardigan Bay.
There is a steep hill down to the pier and the harbour is busy with leisure craft, fishing vessels and tourist boat trip vessels.  Fishing boats land shellfish  for the fish factory, lobsters, crabs and excellent fish including sea bass.  Boat trips provide views of cliffs, caves, waterfalls, birdlife, grey seals and the renowned Cardigan Bay dolphins.
There are plenty of good restaurants, pubs, fish chips, cafes and gift shops.

The Beaches
New Quays harbour beach, between the two Quays has deep golden sands is ideal for bathing and sand castles.
New Quay South beach, on the left of the pier as you look out to sea, is dog friendly.
To the right of harbour beach is Traethgwyn beach.  It is dog friendly and at low tide you can walk over a mile along the beach, northwards to a third Quay Cei Bach (Small Quay) and Llanina point & church

Things to do and see:-
• Fishing trips and boat trips
•  Walk south along the spectacular coastal path to the old coastguard look-out point and bird rock an important sea bird breeding place                               
• Dolphin spotting visit Cardigan bay Marine Wildlife Centre                                        
• Visit New Quay Honey Farm displays, tea rooms and shop.
• Follow the Dylan Thomas trial
• The New Quay Country Market at the Memorial Hall  Friday 10.30 – 12.00 Products available include: Home baked cakes and savouries,  Homemade preserves and chutneys,Home grown seasonal vegetables, fruit and flowers, Free range eggs, Home raised flower and vegetable plants, Handmade greeting cards and a diverse range of hand crafted items.