The Aberystwyth Cliff Railway

I recently visited Aberystwyth in Wales and fell in love with the star of the show: The Aberystwyth Cliff Railway.

Opened in 1896, this Victorian-era cliff railway is the second longest funicular railway in the British Isles and a Grade II listed treasure. Here’s everything you need to know to plan a visit to this much loved Aberystwyth landmark.

Just looking for specific information, such as directions or opening hours? Use the table of contents to skip to what you need.

The Aberystwyth Cliff Railway & Constitution Hill

You’ll find the Aberystwyth Cliff Railway at the northern end of Aberystwyth promenade. You’ll also find here the reason for the railway: Constitution Hill, known locally as ‘Consti’.

Constitution Hill rises dramatically from the Irish Sea, the cliff railway gently transports visitors to and from the summit. The trains travel at a rate of four miles per hour, allowing for a gentle ride with plenty of time to take in the views across Aberystwyth and Cardigan Bay.

You might be wondering why the Victorians decided a cliff railway was necessary in the first place. Well, old Aberystwyth was a bit of a seaside place to be for the Victorians. They wanted to walk the promenade, take the sea air and have a some fun.

For the fun bit, they built the ‘Luna Park’ up on the summit of Constitution Hill, the Victorian version of a theme park. And because the Victorians also were fond of a nice bit of engineering, the built the cliff railway so visitors could access it.

Things to do Constitution Hill, Aberystwyth

In some ways, not too much has changed. The Victorian pleasure grounds at the top of Constitution Hill may be long gone, but there’s still plenty of fun to be had.

Camera Obscura

The views from the top of Constitution Hill are beautiful, but for a different perspective, step inside the Aberystwyth camera obscura.

The original, built in 1880, sat in the castle grounds, but it fell out of fashion and was scrapped in the 1920’s. The version you can see today was recreated in the 1980’s with almost all the design and manufacture completed in Wales.

Inside a 14 inch lens projects a live panorama of a thousand square miles of landscape and coastline. A captivating way to take in the scenery.

Fun & Games

Up on the hill top- where the weather can be a little unpredictable- you’ll find plenty of options to keep everyone entertained, whatever the forecast.

There’s a great mix of indoor and outdoor activities; head to the games room for pool, air hockey and bowling, or make the most of the fresh air with mini golf or frisbee golf outside,

Walks & Views

If a leg stretch with lovely views is your thing, you’ll be in the right place here.

If you’re after a longer walk, follow the coastal path along to Clarach. It’s an easy section of the longer Wales Coast Path, but not too challenging. The views back over Aberystwyth and across Cardigan Bay are impressive, and on a clear day you’ll see all the way to the peaks of North Wales.

If you’d rather keep things short and simple, a wander round the hilltop is just as rewarding. Whichever option you take, you’ll get great views, fresh salty air and the sound of the sea. What more could you ask for?

Oh, coffee & cake you say? Yep, got that covered at…

Y Consti

Y Consti , the cafe perched on the summit of Constitution Hill, feels a bit special. After all, how many cafes are there accessed by cliff railway with views across land and sea?

Sit inside or grab a table on the terrace, linger over the tempting selection of cakes and bakes and enjoy coffee sourced from local roasters, Dwyfor Coffi. You can also opt to take away if you’re off walking or planning a picnic.

Aberystwyth Cliff Railway: Times, Prices & Accessibility

Opening Times

The Aberystwyth Cliff Railway is operates from 10.00-17.00, 7 days a week from April-October with service until 18.00 in high season.

Aberystwyth is a university town and hilltop Y Consti is a popular venue for society events, so you might share a journey up the cliff railway with a gaggle of students in their finery. All part of Aberystwyth life!

A limited timetable runs from November-March, details of which are updated on the cliff railway facebook page.

Ticket Prices

Single fare is £7.00 child/ £8.00 adult. Concessions and family tickets available, full details here.

No need to book ahead, just turn up and ride.

Accessibility

The Aberystwyth Cliff Railway has invested heavily in making sure it is as accessible as possible. This includes parking provision for adapted vehicles, ramped access and wheel chair and guide dog friendly trains. Paths across the site have also been designed to be wheel chair and guide dog friendly.

Directions & Parking

Find the Aberystwyth Cliff Railway station & ticket office at Cliff Railway House, Cliff Terrace, SY23 2DN

There is limited free parking available at the lower station. The nearest public pay and display parking is 300m meters away on North Road.

If arriving by train, the cliff railway is is 10-15 minute walk from the station. Aberystwyth is very walkable and the main attractions are well signposted.

Is the Aberystwyth Cliff Railway Dog Friendly?

Yes, dogs travel for free and are welcome on the trains and across the site. Little Wolf enjoyed his cliff train experience, excited howls and wagging tail the whole time.

The lower station office even has its own dog of sorts. He’s impeccably well behaved, Little Wolf didn’t know what to make of him, but I think 10/10 a good boy.

From the handsome red-brick ticket office at the foot of the hill to the views from the top, the cliff railway is a fun day out and a must-do for anyone visiting Aberystwyth.

If you’ve enjoyed this post you might also like to read about another Aberystwyth experience: The Wales Coast Path & Aberpoeth Sauna

Helen x