Proposed New Town, Traethsaith, Cardiganshire

NEW TOWN IN CARDIGANSHIRE - John Scandrett Harford Esquire who owns very extensive estates in the county of Cardigan, has determined upon forming the nucleus of a new town upon his property at Traethsaith, near Aberporth. The locality is delightfully salubrious, as it forms a sequestered nook of Cardigan Bay, whose emerald-covered waters wash the spacious sands which here traverse the shore. Mr Harford has judiciously employed Mr. Penson, the talented Bridge - Master for the counties of Carmarthen and Cardigan, to exercise his skill in laying out the ground, and devising and drawing the plan for the proposed new town, and on Monday last Mr. Penson was kind enough to show us how he had accomplished his allotted task. The new town is to be commenced by the erection of an Hotel and several double and single cottages, the latter being sufficiently commodious for genteel families, as will be learned by our stating that each cottage will contain on the ground-floor a kitchen, larder, coal house, scullery, and other conveniences. On the first floor there will be two sitting rooms, (which may be connected or not by folding doors) fronting the sea, with a covered balcony outside the windows. The porch will be placed at the side of the house, so as to preclude the sea breeze from visiting the interior of the house "too roughly." There is also on the platform an entrance hall and a bedroom which may be used as a third sitting room. Upstairs there will be four bedrooms and a dressing room. The water will be conveyed to the top of the house, so as to afford convenience for every room. Each cottage will have a neat garden and a full sea front, and the different buildings will be on raised terraces on the cliff with good roads between each terrace. A portion of the ground is intended to be let on building leases, we understand, and when the requisite number of cottages shall have been erected, Mr. Harford purposes building a Church, public Schools, a Market, and some handsome shops. The various roads to Traethsaith are to be vastly improved, and with all these desirable adjuncts a truly delightful and salubrious watering-place may be anticipated to result. We can only add that we wish the scheme every success and think Mr. Harford entitled to the highest commendations for his public spirit and enterprise. — Welshman. [Pembrokeshire Herald 1 October 1852 page 3]

Note the opening of a railway from Cheltenham to Cardigan and Aberayron allowed visitors to access the coast

Reference    The Welshman 17 September 1851 page 4
Reference    Pembrokeshire Herald 1 October 1851 page 3 – reprint