The Bird's Nest

National Trust - Llanerchaeron (20 minutes’ drive) is an elegant Georgian villa from the late 18th century. It has well-preserved servants’ quarters (including a brewery and a dairy); a farm with local and rare breeds of sheep and pigs; a colourful walled kitchen garden; and vast parkland laced with trails. In addition to being the place for watersports and boat trips (whether fishing charters or marine wildlife tours to see bottlenose dolphins), New Quay (25 minutes) has a sheltered beach to the east. To the west, clifftop walks on the Banc Bach y Rhowyn headland lead to the Old Lookout, with sweeping views of the bay. The medieval castle on the River Afon in Cardigan (40 minutes) is dotted with interesting installations, from the oversized Eisteddfod Chair to a whale bone arch. On the outskirts of town, the Welsh Wildlife Centre sits next to the Teifi Marshes Nature Reserve, where you might spot kingfishers, peregrine falcons and otters.