Things To Do In Lampeter Wales
The Welsh market town of Lampeter is sometimes touted as the ‘gateway to Ceredigion’ because of its geographical standing. It’s a point where several roads meet and you can either head in the direction of the Cardigan Bay coastline or towards the Cambrian Mountains. In fact, there were once five tollgates on the roads into town! Evidence of this no longer exists, though, as they were destroyed during the Rebecca Riots in August 1843. In this post we’ll share some interesting things to do in Lampeter Wales.
Things to do in Lampeter Wales
Visit the Welsh quilt centre
Visit the rugby monument
Visit the Lampeter museum
Stroll the grounds of the University of Wales Trinity Saint David
Walk the Lampeter Town Trail
Visit the Welsh quilt centre
The Welsh Quilt Centre exhibits the very best of Wales’ rich textile heritage. As well as its impressive displays, the centre wants to ‘stimulate Welsh quilting in its heartland’. Aside from seeing the exhibitions, the centre offers regular quilting workshops and taster days. In addition, there is a gallery shop full of Welsh Heritage gifts including books, jewellery, scarves, cushions made from old quilts and hand-made Welsh Soaps as well as quirky cards.
The Welsh Quilt Centre is based inside the old Town Hall. The centre founder’s daughter Mal and son-in-law Arif run the Town Hall Cafe-Deli, serving local produce and home cooked daily specials.
Visit the rugby monument
Did you know that Lampeter is the birthplace of Welsh rugby? It was introduced to Wales in 1850 by the Rev. Professor Rowland Williams, who introduced the game from Cambridge. The first competitive match, using the rugby rules, was played in 1866. A monument was erected to celebrate this and can be seen in the grounds of the university, which are open to the public. You can find the monument between the library and Canterbury Building.
Visit the Lampeter museum
The Lampeter Museum was established in 2014 by the Lampeter Historic Society (Hanes Llambed). It’s an independent museum run entirely by volunteers. The museum has exhibits depicting the cultural and agricultural development of Lampeter as well as covering the history of the college, now known as the University of Wales Trinity St David. Its very first exhibition, however, was about the town during the first world war. Entry to the museum is free.
Stroll the grounds of the University of Wales Trinity Saint David
Lampeter is the home of the first higher education institution in Wales; The University of Wales Trinity St David. It was established in 1822 as St David’s college and is one of the oldest degree awarding institutions in England and Wales, after Oxford and Cambridge. It became part of the University of Wales in 1971. The grounds of the university are open to the public to visit and the University Chapel, located in the Old Building, is definitely worth seeing.
Walk the Lampeter Town Trail
Lampeter’s Heritage Trail literally walks you through the history of the town. Along the way, it takes you to Lampeter Rugby Club, one of the founding members of the Welsh Rugby Union, The War memorial, designed by W Goscombe John and, of course, the University. Interestingly, you’ll also learn about Lampeter’s connection with the attempted murder of Dylan Thomas in 1945. So visit one of the wonderful coffee shops, get yourself a takeaway beverage and hit the trail.
Lampeter is a fascinating town with more to it than meets the eye. Have you visited Lampeter or the South West Wales area recently? Let us know what you thought, or if you have any suggestions not on our list, let us know in the comments below.
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