A little seaside town is one of the UK’s least visited, despite boasting a host of stunning views and an award-winning beach.
Sometimes known as the “gem of Cardigan Bay”, Aberaeron is a picturesque community in Ceredigion, Wales.
The town is home to just 1,274 people, many of whom reside in brightly coloured properties that back onto green rolling hills.
The area is renowned for its beauty, and Aberaeron South Beach has been officially recognised as a stunning stretch of sand.
But, unlike other towns of a similar size that have won the same accolade, it is scarcely visited.
Experts at Trainline told The Metro that Aberaeron was one of two destinations in the UK that had between one and 100 passengers from April 1, 2023, to March 31, 2024.
The tiny total will come as a shock for the town’s established population and visitors, who know the area for its charming centre and idyllic neighbourhoods framed by the local countryside.
People can find local businesses like florists, the Castle Hotel, Cegin Alban cafe, and local fish & chips joint The Big Bite – Lland Plat organised on the town’s high street.
Aberaeron South Beach, which stretches several hundred metres across the town’s coast, is another notable spot.
The beach received a Blue Flag rural beach award in 2005 and, on warm days, is home to porpoises and bottlenose dolphins.
On top of its rich offering of shops, cafes and beach fun, the town is also rich in history.
Aberaeron once held an active harbour and supported the local shipbuilding industry, and a Grade II listed mill, the Aeron Woollen Mill, can be found in the town centre.
The colourful homes that sit along the town’s coast are also historically significant, being the product of a time-honoured Welsh tradition.
Locals have long claimed that the diverse palette was utilised by fishermen who wanted to recognise their homes as they sailed into town.
While they don’t serve the same purpose in the 21st century, the Georgian and Victorian cottages have become Aberaeron icons.