A Great Town To Be

Winning The Award

In December 2014, Aberystwyth gained recognition by winning the Great Town award for its outstanding work in promoting its location, economy and community. The Academy of Urbanism selected Aberystwyth as the winner for 2015 from a shortlist of other towns such as Beverley in Yorkshire and Bury in Lancashire. The Mayor of Aberystwyth said:

"It is absolutely brilliant for Aberystwyth to be recognised in this way - the people of Aberystwyth can be very proud."

Tim Challans lead assessor of the Urbanism Awards said:

“We were very impressed with how Aberystwyth defies all the apparent disadvantages of its isolated location to be a successful seaside resort and popular university town.”

Tim Challans also said:

“The town’s resilience in recovering from the winter storms demonstrates how its people are passionate about their home.”

"Aberystwyth" by Ian McMillan

Place of learning, place of water, place of sky;
Place where the Gulf Stream warms your bones
Place where the Welsh-speaking seagulls fly
Place of a castle built from ancient stones....
The railway came and brought the world,
To sit on the beach or listen and learn
To raise Education’s flag, unfurled
To walk down the promenade, stand then turn
And face the streets that can reinvent
The idea of what a small town can achieve;
Aberystwyth’s a statement of intent
About coming for a term, never wanting to leave;
If Wales is a body I think Aber’s the brain;
Why, even the rain is intellectual rain!