River Arth

The River Arth is a small river in Ceredigion, Wales. It begins in the hills near Bethania and flows west for 15 miles to meet Cardigan Bay at Aberarth. The river is one of the few in Britain that produces a bore when the tide pushes a small wave upstream. The bore is only a few inches high and stops beyond the road bridge in Aberarth. Steep terrain near the bridge prevents the wave from travelling further. The river once suffered from agricultural pollution in the 1970s. A dairy farm upstream caused intermittent pollution problems. Improved controls and a change of ownership resolved the issue. The river now flows more cleanly towards the bay. Visitors to the area can walk along the river’s banks near Aberarth. The short tidal bore is a rare sight and draws small crowds. The river’s mouth at Aberarth offers views of Cardigan Bay. The surrounding hills provide quiet walking routes. The village itself is a peaceful spot to watch the river meet the sea.