Aberaeron is a seaside town in Ceredigion, Wales between Aberystwyth and Cardigan and is home to the headquarters of Ceredigion County Council.
Aberaeron was planned and built in 1805 by the Rev. Alban Thomas Jones. It is built around the estuary of the River Aeron, which has been enlarged to provide a small half-tide harbour for recreational craft. The estuary is also crossed by a wooden pedestrian bridge.
The architecture of Aberaeron is unusual in this part of rural Wales, being constructed around a principal square of elegant Regency style buildings grouped around the harbour. Some of the architecture was of sufficient interest to feature on British postage stamps.
Aberaeron is located on the A487 road and the A482 road strikes inland from the town to Lampeter and beyond.
The shore-line at Aberaeron consists of generally steep storm beaches made of pebbles, although fine sand is visible at low tide levels. Following improvement to sewage disposal and treatment, Aberaeron south beach was awarded the Blue flag rural beach award in 2005.
The climate is mild and temperate, largely conditioned by the proximity of the relatively shallow sea. However, Aberaeron can suffer from occasional winter frosts when cold air descends the Aeron valley from the upland parts of Ceredigion.
The town is notable for the sale of honey and especially honey ice-cream and more recently honey mustard.
With 70% of Aberaeron's inhabitants able to speak Welsh according to the 2001 census, Aberaeron is one of the few coastal areas left in Ceredigion which remains predominantly Welsh-speaking.
Sir Geraint Evans, the renowned opera singer had a home in Aberaeron for more than 30 years.
