Located at the junction of the Afon Dulas and the River Teifi, Lampeter is the smallest university town in the United Kingdom. It was once an important centre for not only cattle droving but also crafts, with several woollen mills established here for producing double-woven tapestry cloth.
Things to do in Lampeter
Learn about the people, events and industries that have shaped the town at the Lampeter Museum, which is located on the University of Wales Trinity St. David campus. Set within the Old Porters Lodge, its exhibits explore everything from local celebrities to agriculture and the town’s contribution to Welsh affairs. Also on the campus is the Roderic Bowen Library, which houses the university’s special collections.
Occupying Lampeter’s old town hall is the Welsh Quilt Centre, which illustrates local quilting traditions and also highlights the farms and towns involved in their creation. If you’re interested in learning more about quilting, you can attend one of the beginner workshops or a quilting “taster” day. Also on site is a gallery selling unique Welsh gifts and cards.
Just a few kilometres north of Lampeter is the Derry Ormond Tower, a columned folly that was constructed in the early 19th century on a design by Charles Robert Cockerel. At 38 metres tall, it was constructed as part of an unemployment relief project and is now Grade II-listed as “one of the most prominent romantic monuments in the region”.
Getting around Lampeter
Lampeter is around 1.5 hours’ drive from Swansea and two hours from Cardiff Airport, which has flights to destinations across Europe. Regular buses connect to Lampeter and the town is small enough to explore on foot. Renting a car is the most convenient way of getting around the region.