Aber Info

Iron Age

• Building of the fort on Pendinas.

6th Century

• A small monastery was founded at Llanbadarn.

1109

• An early castle is built near Tanybwlch, south of the Ystwyth, to strengthen the power of King Henry I in the area.

1277

• Construction of the current castle begins - it is not completed until 1289.
• The town is founded with the issuing of its charter.

1402

• Castle is besieged by supporters of Owain Glyndwr - and surrenders in 1404.

1408

• Castle recaptured.

1415

• Henry V used the castle to hold prisoners from Agincourt.

1637

• A Royal mint is established in the castle, and lasts until 1643.

1645

• As part of the Civil War the Parliamentarians lay siege to the castle.

1646

• After 5 months the castle is surrendered.

1649

• The order is given for the castle to be blown up - accounting for its current state!

1762

• Aberystwyth's first bank, the Ship Bank, is founded in Bridge Street.

1763

• A customs house is transferred to Aberystwyth, helping encourage growth of the port.

1798

• The first buildings appear outside the town walls, including the Baptist Chapel now in Baker Street.

1835

• Use of the castle remains for building within the town was finally banned to try and preserve what remains were still standing.

1838

• Permission given for the founding of a gas works.

1846

• The Town Hall is built in Queen's Road. (The current building is a reconstruction after a major fire in 1957).

1851

• There are now 1020 houses in Aberystwyth, compared with 350 in 1801.

1852

• Column on Pendinas built as a monument to the Duke of Wellington. It was originally intended to carry a statue of a man on horseback.

1856

• The first town clock is built at the top of Great Darkgate Street.

1864

• The railway arrives in town, bringing a huge boost in tourism.
• The Old College is built, originally as part of Savin's Castle Hotel.

1865

• The pier is completed.

1866

• Only a year old, the pier is wrecked by a storm.

1867

• The Carmarthen - Aberystwyth rail route is opened.

1872

• The University College of Wales is founded with the acquisition of the Castle Hotel building.

1873

• The Cambrian News starts publication locally.

1881

• The last ship to be built in Aberystwyth is completed.

1890

• First use of electric lighting in town - in the University Physics department..

1892

• Present Trefechan Bridge constructed.

1896

• The rebuilt pier is opened.

1901

• The new promenade from the pier southwards around the castle is started, to be finished in 1903.

1902

• The Vale of Rheidol railway is opened to Devil's Bridge.

1909

• National Library of Wales founded.

1927

• First houses are built in Penparcau.

1937

• Current National Library building completed.

1956

• The town clock is demolished.

1995

• First developments completed at Parc-y-Llyn.

2000

• A new town clock is built to replace that demolished in 1956.