About Newcastle Emlyn
Newcastle Emlyn is a delightful historic market town found nestled within the stunningly beautiful Teifi Valley.
The pretty high street has developed into an attractive shopping destination and offers an array of fabulous independent shops, art and crafts and antique centres. When a well-earned rest is needed there are award winning restaurants, cafes and pubs to satisfy your needs. Newcastle Emlyn is now also a Fair Trade town.
Not to be missed are the lovely scenic riverside walks around the 13th century Norman castle ruins that overlooks the River Teifi and points to the strategic importance once held by this town.
Newcastle Emlyn is a bustling hub of rural life with a strong sense of community that works hard together to organise the many events and festivals which are held annually within the town.
Straddling the Ceredigion and Carmarthenshire border, Newcastle Emlyn provides a perfect base from which to explore the best of both counties and also nearby North Pembrokeshire. A warm welcome awaits in this friendly town.
View Larger Map of Newcastle Emlyn
Cawdor Hall
With its unusual clocktower, Neuadd Cawdor Hall is the most prominent landmark in Newcastle Emlyn. Built in 1892 as a market hall and gifted to the people of the town by Lord Cawdor, it has recently been refurbished. Its upper floor is home to the Attic Theatre, venue for productions by The Attic Players. On the ground floor are artists’ studios, a medical herbalist and a local history display.
The Printing Press
Newcastle Emlyn is linked to the neighbouring village of Adpar by a bridge across the river Teifi. It was in Adpar that the first printing press in Wales was established. In the early 18th century a more literate population led to an increased demand for religious books. In 1718 Isaac Carter established a printing press in the rooms at the Salutation Inn in Adpar. Carter published a pair of ballads before moving his press to Carmarthen seven years later. A plaque opposite the bridge marks the site of Carters’ historic press.
King George V Playing Field
The Playing Field was gifted to the town of Newcastle Emlyn along with many others nationally after the death of King George V in 1936, Although the town, via the council, has been responsible for the upkeep of the land in the past, it was felt that its interests would be best served by a separately run committee. The King George V Playing Field Association, which has been in existence for almost three decades, is a registered charity, and meets regularly in Newcastle Emlyn to discuss and plan fund-raising events and the maintenance of the grounds.
The War Memorial
Originally built on the back wall of the castle in 1923 to remember the fallen of the district who died in the First World War. Another tablet was added to remember the fallen of the Second World War. It was moved in 1985 to a site between Holy Trinity Church and the Courthouse. It made it far more convenient to hold services at the memorial now.
The Attic Theatre
The Attic Theatre is a little gem of a space. With 84 seats it is quite an intimate theatre, entirely run by its volunteer members. It sits upstairs in Cawdor Hall in the middle of Newcastle Emlyn. We currently present three productions a year, with members providing actors, directors, stage crew, costume makers, technical, stage managers, set builders, publicity etc
We have 28 members coming from all walks of life. We welcome all new members interested in working backstage, with lighting and sound, costume, set design, acting and everything in between!