Aberystwyth named one of the happiest places to live in the UK
"The university campus, perched on Penglais Hill above the town, teaches students from more than 100 countries, lending the town more of a global feel than might be expected. Also on the hill is the National Library of Wales, one of the great libraries of the world. Opened in 1907, it is at the centre of research into the culture and heritage of Wales and the other Celtic nations, and home to rare books, manuscripts, archives, film and video, newspapers, maps and works of art.
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The National
5 hours ago
- The National
Celtic 'reopen talks' to sign January transfer target
The Parkhead club were linked with a move for the 21-year-old in the January transfer window, although it ultimately never came to fruition. Now, Celtic have reopened talks with Sarpsborg over the wide man, although no formal offer has been made yet, according to Sky Sports. There is also said to be interest in Orjasaeter from clubs in Germany and the Netherlands. Read more: Sky claimed in January that Celtic bid £4.6 million for the Norwegian, with his club holding out for £7 million. "I struggled to sleep," Orjasaeter previously said after his failed move to Parkhead. "I didn't know if I was going to be in Norway or not. I could have moved at any moment. I had to carry my passport with me everywhere. "When the window closed, I felt a sense of relief. I came to the conclusion that I was determined to stay in Sarpsborg and play here, because I didn't know if I was ready to leave yet. "Going abroad now is another level up. It had become more professional and everything. There were many thoughts going through my head during that period. "If I get a little more time in Sarpsborg, I think I'll mature and be ready for it eventually. "Of course, you will have a better life after your career if you have more money in your account, but you only live once. For me, it is just as important to have fun along the way. It is probably even more important "I have a lot of friends to keep me grounded. I think if I only had football, my head would explode! "I'm not much of a fan of football, but I love having it as a job. I couldn't have a better job than what I have. "But when I see that my friends are going on holiday or to ski at Easter, I get jealous. I'm not going to lie. "I hope that those clubs understand that not everyone can be the same. At the same time, I have my serious side too. And I think that kind of thing comes a little with age."
Wales Online
8 hours ago
- Wales Online
The scenic mountain bike trail where you'll spot a spooky castle, wildlife and woodlands
The scenic mountain bike trail where you'll spot a spooky castle, wildlife and woodlands Get ready to spot resident deer on this lovely park bike ride Margam Country Park covers around 850 acres (Image: Getty Images ) With a gothic castle, free-roaming deer and gorgeous views, Margam Park in Port Talbot is loved by many and is the perfect place for a bike ride this summer. Set in 1,000 acres of glorious parklands, Margam Country Park offers natural beauty, history, wildlife, and a wide range of fun activities and facilities, making it one of the best days out in Wales for all the family. This historic 850-acre estate is set on the southern slopes of Mynydd Margam, a largely forested mountain rising to 349m. The estate's history can be traced back to prehistoric times, with Bronze and Iron Age relics and evidence of Roman and extensive Celtic occupation. According to their website, Margam's very own deer herd was probably introduced by the Romans. It's also home to Grade I listed gardens and landscapes, biking and hiking trails, wildlife, a Norman Abbey and Margam Castle—a grand Victorian mansion—and an impressive 18th-century orangery. From superstar gigs to cosy pubs, find out What's On in Wales by signing up to our newsletter here The castle is a 19th-century Tudor Gothic mansion designed by the architect Thomas Hopper for Christopher Rice Mansel Talbot. The outbuildings around the castle courtyard house the visitor centre and park administration, and during the summer months, the Great Hallway is on display to the public. Article continues below One of the best activities in Margam Park is mountain biking. You can cycle around the park on tarmac roads and rough tracks to a fantastic viewpoint. The park is part of the National Cycle Network, The Celtic Trail Route 4, which runs across South Wales and through the North of the Park. Here, you'll find several trails, including a waymarked mountain bike trail and a family cycle trail if you are biking with the little ones. The park is part of the National Cycle Network (Image: Portia Jones ) The family trail is an easy cycle along mostly flat tarmac paths. It passes close to the adventure playground, farm trail, and open parklands. Kids will love stopping off on the farm trail to meet the animals and use the animal feed stations. Here, you'll find a range of adorable animals, from pygmy goats and ponies to alpacas, rabbits, pedigree sheep, Glamorgan cattle and donkeys. The mountain bike trail is a relatively short 2.3 miles and includes a challenging ascent halfway up Margam Mountain. Along this scenic route, you might spot the resident deer. According to the Margam website, the famous Margam Deer Herd roams through approximately 500 acres of parkland, including Red and rare Pere David deer. If you visit during the rutting season (typically between September and November), the male deer, or stags, compete for dominance and the right to mate with females. During this rather dramatic period, you'll hear them roaring, parallel walking, and even fighting with antlers. Definitely have your camera ready, and don't get too close. These are wild animals, and we want to keep them that way. The famous Margam Deer Herd roams through approximately 500 acres of parkland, (Image: Getty Images - Lea Scaddan ) As you wind your way through the track, you'll start a bumpy ascent up Margam Mountain; this is where an e-bike comes in really handy for those burning thighs! If you don't have your own, you can rent bikes from Margam Park Adventure, which runs a range of activities. As you climb up, you'll have fabulous views of the park and the surrounding countryside. The trail then levels off and returns on a steep descent onto the Cwm Phillips access road with a return ride to the castle, reputedly one of the most haunted places in the UK. If you love history and ghosts, definitely take a tour of this spooky spot after your bike ride. Margam Castle is part of Margam Country Park (Image: Robert Melen ) Visitors to this 19th-century Gothic mansion in Neath Port Talbot have long shared eerie tales of spectral figures, unexplained laughter, and objects that seem to move of their own accord. From the Bronze Age through Roman times and later the founding of the Cistercian Abbey in the 12th century, this site has seen centuries of human life—and, perhaps, lingering spirits. The castle, built between 1830 and 1840 by architect Thomas Hopper for Christopher Rice Mansel Talbot, is a striking example of Tudor-Gothic architecture and is hauntingly beautiful. The Talbot family owned the estate until 1942, when the castle fell into disrepair following a devastating fire in 1977. The council owns the property today, and ongoing restoration work ensures its grandeur is preserved. Despite the fire's destruction, many original features remain, from the intricate stone carvings to the elegant stained glass windows, which date back to when the house was built almost 200 years ago. While the castle impresses with its architecture and history, its eerie ghost stories draw in thrill-seekers and paranormal enthusiasts. Margam Castle's ghostly reputation has attracted paranormal investigators from across the globe (Image: Getty ) The most infamous spirit of Margam Castle is Robert Scott, a gamekeeper who was murdered on the estate—some say by a poacher, others by an escaped convict. His presence is said to rage through the castle and the estate to this day. Scott is frequently spotted making a determined ascent up the Gothic staircase that leads to the Castle. His presence is a recurring theme among psychic investigators, who all agree that his spirit seethes with fury, unable to rest after his untimely and unjust death. The castle isn't the only historic sight, as Margam Country Park has long been a place of religious and historical significance. Here, you'll find Margam Abbey, founded in 1147, which was an important Cistercian monastery until its dissolution in 1536. This remarkable abbey now serves as a parish church. The small Margam Stones Museum, located next door to the medieval abbey church, is also well worth a visit. Here, you'll find a remarkable collection of nearly 30 inscribed stones and crosses, some dating from the early days of Christianity in sixth-century Wales. They originally stood as milestones on Roman roads or, in one case, on top of a Bronze Age barrow. If you love history, this is a must-visit. Want to make a day of it? Margam has plenty of events throughout the year where you can enjoy special activities or stay after dark at one of their chilling Halloween events or ghost hunting events. Check out their website for more details. Need to know Article continues below
The National
2 days ago
- The National
Greg Taylor's Celtic transfer exit timescale revealed
As per The Celtic Way, the Hoops left-back has agreed to join Greek side PAOK. The Scotland international - currently on holiday with his young family in Dubai - will sign a two-year contract in Greece, with a year's option to extend. Taylor was out of contract at the end of last season after running down his deal under Brendan Rodgers. Talks remained ongoing with the Scottish Premiership champions; however, an agreement over fresh terms could not be reached. So, Taylor will call time on his six-year stint in Glasgow by moving abroad for the first time in his career. The defender joined Celtic from Kilmarnock on transfer deadline day in August 2019. Neil Lennon sanctioned the £1m move for the left-back, who has gone on to win five league titles for Celtic, as well as three Scottish Cups and three League Cups. PAOK boss Razvan Lucescu had prioritised signing Taylor in the summer, and it looks like they have finally landed the 27-year-old on a free transfer.
