New Quay in Ceredigion has been named one of Britain's prettiest coastal towns, praised for its unspoilt coastline and charming harbour. The town is home to dolphins, harbour porpoises, a hillside of colourful chocolate-box style homes, and a connection to Wales' most famous poet.
Hazel Rickett, a travel expert at small-group tour operator Rabbie's, has selected New Quay as one of seven destinations perfect for a late summer long weekend.
A peaceful coastal escape
"Tucked away on the Ceredigion coast, New Quay is one of Wales' best-kept seaside secrets. Colourful cottages, a picturesque harbour and sweeping views across Cardigan Bay make it an ideal destination for a peaceful coastal escape," Hazel said.
"Visitors can stroll along the waterfront, enjoy fresh seafood and, if they're lucky, spot the resident bottlenose dolphins. Its relaxed atmosphere and beautiful coastline make it the perfect destination for a laid-back short break."
New Quay sits on Cardigan Bay, which holds one of Europe's largest resident populations of bottlenose dolphins. They are regularly spotted from the harbour wall or headland in summer, no boat required. For a closer look, boat trip operators like SeaMor Dolphin Watching run out of the harbour.
Dylan Thomas connection and local wildlife
Grey seals, harbour porpoises, seabirds, and rare chough are all found along the coast, and the free Cardigan Bay Marine Wildlife Centre on the seafront covers all of it.
The town's most famous son is Dylan Thomas, who lived in New Quay with his wife Caitlin for about six months in 1944/45. It was one of the most productive periods of his career, and the town is widely accepted as the model for the fictional village of Llareggub in Under Milk Wood. There's a Dylan Thomas Trail to follow, a plaque at The Black Bull pub marking where he got the idea for an early piece that became Under Milk Wood, and the site of Majoda, the "wood and asbestos pagoda" bungalow where he wrote.
Isolation and local life
Brightly painted houses tumble down a steep hill to the working harbour and Harbour Beach, which won a Seaside Award in 2026 for cleanliness. It marks the halfway point of the Wales Coast Path, so it's a natural stopping point for walkers.
New Quay has also been named as one of the most isolated in the UK. While the town's 1,045 residents are well served by tourist-facing independent shops and cafes, the town has no major supermarket. Despite a Costcutter and a Morrisons nearby, the nearest large superstore — a Tesco or Aldi in Cardigan — requires a 20-mile round trip. The nearest railway station, in Aberystwyth, is a 40-minute drive away.
New Quay was once a thriving fishing village built on the herring trade, though the industry has long since declined. Today, the handful of remaining fishermen make their living from lobster and prawn catches.
