“Aberdabbado’s guided tours are extremely entertaining and you learn a lot about the town and its history. Alison is very enthusiastic and creative; I always enjoy her tours very much and can highly recommend her.” Katrin
‘We came across this fantastic idea through the Festival of Love. Alison, the walk’s guide, has an impressive knowledge of the town, its corners, and its secrets. As a storyteller, she transports you to WWII in Aberystwyth. You can hear the music and the planes, imagine the dancing, and see the people just walking. Through Rosemary’s beautiful story you learn about a different time, harder and scarier than today, in the very same streets we walk today and that is priceless.
It is an absolute must do!!!’
Rosemary’s Legacy: A world War 2 love story from letters
Mosaic walk:
Ahoy M’hearties maritime walk 4th June
Restless Aberystwyth:
Mosaic tour:
Restless Aber! protests and demonstrations and movers and shakers!
List of dates and walks: https://aberdabbadoo.rezgo.com/
More details of walks below. Just click the Rezgo link.
‘Two hours flew past as I was at times intrigued, amused, surprised and even moved to tears. Alison brought this beautiful story of love and loss to life for her audience, interweaving it with many WW2 anecdotes and linking it to various buildings and places around the town. A delicious cup of chai, enjoyed with the castle backdrop, provided a welcome interlude. I highly recommend this guided walk.‘
‘It was a delightful experience which we all enjoyed. We were all very invested in the story as it unraveled and wanted to know more at the end. The walk took us to a new cafe which served very delicious cake and perfect tea which was fabulous. We would all recommend this for anyone who loved to be immersed into history and stories of love, lost and happily found again. Please pass on how much pleasure we took from this experience.’ (Rosemary’s Legacy)
‘My client and I enjoyed Rosemary’s Legacy so much; it took us to parts of Aberystwyth that we didn’t know held such significance during WW2. A lovely heart warming experience and an inspirational true story that was beautifully executed by Alison’
I am a sustainable business. Are you interested in this? Sustainability mission
Ahoy m’hearties- a sea faring and watery walk through 400 years of time.
Ahoy me hearties! Aberdabbadoo returns with a new addition to her renowned walking tours of Aberystwyth!
Meet Alison your able seaman for this voyage. As part of this immersive experience Alison will steer you through the choppy waves of time, detailing the maritime traditions and the Victorian heyday of Aberystwyth from past to present. Submerge yourself in the rich history of our seaside town as you meander your way along the streets; visiting important historic locations which are often hidden in plain sight. You will emerge baptised by knowledge and with a bounty of new quirky tales to tell your friends. Do you know the story of Aberystwyth’s own queer Master mariner? Or why hoop skirts aren’t advised for this tour? All will be made clear once you reach your final port.
You won’t need your sea legs for this tour, but we do suggest a pair of comfortable walking shoes. Your voyage will last around 2 hours where there will be a stop for a refreshment halfway through. This series of walks is being supported by MASHED who will offer all sailors a complimentary beer tasting experience and small snack as part of the tour. Places are limited, so book now to avoid being thrown overboard!
https://aberdabbadoo.rezgo.com/details/368856/ahoy-mhearties-maritime-story-walk-of-aberystwyth?show_standard=on
‘What a fantastic evening. Learning all about Aberystwyth’s maritime history on the Ahoy m’hearties walk. The evening was packed with truly curious facts, historical nuggets and mystical wonders along with beer tasting and shanty folk music.’
‘What a fun evening we had, discovering some of the maritime history of Aberystwyth! We meandered through the streets and alleyways of town, and were able to get a feel of life in town as a Master Mariner, a ship hand or a lowly peasant. We sampled some modern beers of today, and sang together some old sea shanties . There is a wealth of Aberystwyth history in our fabulous museum, but this walk enabled you to tread in the steps of sailors of the past, making Aberystwyth what it is today. Thank you Alison and Ernest for sharing your nautical research and knowledge with us. Can definitely recommend this walk, you won’t be disappointed!’
For more details, scroll down a bit more.
‘The family loved it – still talking about it’
More details about each walk are found below. Keep an open mind and be ready for some discussions and fun facts. The walks are suitable for all, but good walking legs are a great help. Dates for walks are published as the season progresses. If you wish to book a bespoke tour I may be able to accommodate you; do get in touch. On booking you will receive a pre introduction letter about where to meet, eat and park. Contact alisonpierse@gmail.com.
Are you not available on those dates? Do you have family visiting or planning a corporate low carbon event? I am happy to run bespoke tours for groups of over 5 people. Keep checking in, I add dates to the site when I have consulted the long-term weather forecast.
Payment through Rezgo guarantees your space. alisonpierse@gmail.com or text me on 07807699118. Walks have restricted numbers.
A heritage mosaic tour: ‘A Night on the Tiles’
More customer feedback What my customers say
Learn about the mosaics of Aberystwyth town centre through a walking tour, Q and A, conversation, tile nibbling and a bit of history! Put your sleuth hat on and join me meandering around the streets and enjoying a sociable early evening.
Bring something to sit on, warm clothing and wear sensible shoes as we will be standing for periods of time. It is also wise to wear closed toe shoes and something warm as Castle Point is very windy, even on a sunny day! The price includes some tile nipping and a half–time refreshing drink in the castle grounds. £12 per person. 2 miles and 16 mosaics! The tour lasts between 1.5 hrs to 1hr 50 depending upon the group.
This walk will start 4.30pm outside the museum
A World War II love story- Rosemary’s legacy
A war time love story narrated through love letters. A story of love, longing and loss. What was Aberystwyth like in the war years as an undergraduate? What was the significance of the edelweiss? What influences did Aberystwyth have on Rosemary and Fred?
Next date –
‘Fab walk, Ali tells this beautiful story so well you actually feel as though you were there.’
‘Two hours flew past as I was at times intrigued, amused, surprised and even moved to tears. Alison brought this beautiful story of love and loss to life for her audience, interweaving it with many WW2 anecdotes and linking it to various buildings and places around the town. A delicious cup of chai, enjoyed with the castle backdrop, provided a welcome interlude. I highly recommend this guided walk.‘
No obligation, but if you want to dress up in 1940s attire to get in the mood to join me, feel free. You may need to bring a handkerchief. 2hrs, 6 stops and you walk about 2.5 miles. Starts at Rheidol Railway to wave off the steam train.
Spaces are limited to 10
Story telling event celebrating 200 years of steam: Spirits in Steam
Join us at Borth railway station on a story telling evening with a twist. This is a bit of fun..nothing serious; just an evening of story telling, all based on engines, locomotive disasters and their fates. (Dates are being organised)
All aboard! Let’s punch your ticket for an evening’s entertainment for an immersive event and stay dry! Keep an open mind; experience sounds, smells, sights and the murderously macabre stories.
Aberdabbadoo’s events are an intimate and sociable experience as well as being mindful and…eco friendly- all aberdabbadoo’s walks are sustainable and mindful of our environment. Visitors enjoy the quirky stories and fascinating facts, hear vignettes of local folk and get an understanding of the immense damage a behemoth of a steam engine can do when it is in trouble. Stories cover incidents far afield and local.
No spoilers but..
Did you know that there are over 22 million miles of railroad tracks across the globe? We have raided archives and novels to give you a rich story telling experience.
Ghost walk with a difference: Spot the Ghoulshit
Join us on a ghost walk with a twist. This is a bit of fun..nothing serious. Watch out there will be a walk announced soon.
These walks are an intimate and sociable experience as well as being mindful and…eco friendly- all that I do is sustainable. Loosely based on local history, visitors enjoy the quirky stories and fascinating facts. You decide which are true and which are just a load of fibs.
Can you tell the difference between the murderously macabre and the made up? The feverishly frightening or just plain fibs? Join the Demonic Mosaicist of Great Darkgate Street and her poisonous assistant on an immersive ghostly walking tour of Aberystwyth town. Some of the stories are true and some of them are just a pack of lies. Can you spot the ghoulsh*t? A 2 hr @ 2 mile slow walk around the town hearing the local stories and town history. £10 includes a complementary masala chai tea.
BOOK NOW Spot The Ghouls**t; ghost walk. £12 click this link More details on Rezgo
‘The two hours spent with Alison during her Spot the Ghoulsh*t tour transformed the walk around the town I have done so many times over the last 25 years. With Alison’s imagination and creative genius , my usual traverse became enchanted (yet slightly ghoulish) journey around Olde Medieval area of the town I love. 10/10!!!’
If you wish to have a walk not on one of the days published, please will you contact me directly and I will arrange a bespoke walk on your ideal day and time. Which walk will you choose? Have a read. Other recommendations are on Rezgo.
See details below.
Past Presences: A guided walking tour of the statues of Aberystwyth. What influences / presences are considered by artists when making a piece of sculpture? The walk includes discussion, techniques, facts and the quirky and uncomfortable stories plus a complimentary drink. The tour lasts 1.5- 2 hours (depending on the group) You will walk 1.5.miles. Please note; there are a few steps and gradients.
Maximum of 10 people.
This walk has had to be temporarily withdrawn due to renovations and scaffolding covering the details on the Old College.
‘I just wanted to take a moment to thank you for the wonderful tour you gave us on Thursday! I really enjoyed it! I liked how you showed us how all those bits of arts connected to the story of Aberystwyth and other places, it was very interesting. ‘
and happy visitors have said…
‘Thank you also for a stunning session on the mosaics of Aber in May 2022. I loved every minute of it, especially your expert blend of history, technique, terminology and anecdotes. Truly inspirational, with the added bonuses of hands on nipping and the delicious elderflower/lemonade/soda drink. Have lived in Aber since 1977 and had neither noticed nor appreciated the consummate craftmanship of the town’s mosaics. Your walk awakened in me a deeper sense of perception. It was like being let out of ‘Plato’s cave’!’
‘Fantastic tour. I love the mosaics in Aber and now I have seen more and learnt loads from Ali- thoroughly recommend.’
Really good tour of mosaics of Aberystwyth with Alison yesterday, who knew there were so many?’
‘Your informative insight into mosaics was absolutely wonderful. Thank you.’
‘ I absolutely loved this tour discovering mosaics I never knew existed. What an awesome treat, listening to the wonderfully enthusiastic stories of the town with Ali. Highly recommend’.
Fee: £12 per person – you can pay on the evening with the correct cash. By emailing to reserve a place you will be given the starting place, where to meet and other information.
If you are interested please text 07807699118 or alisonpierse@gmail.com
Teaching
Alternatively an online version of this course starting in September is delivered as self-paced study and covers similar topics. The cost of this course is £79 but does not include materials; it is heavily subsidised by the Higher Education Council. Please contact Aberystwyth Lifelong Learning https://www.aber.ac.uk/en/lifelong-learning/courses/search/subjectcode/o/
Other recommendations while you are in our beautiful mid Wales
May I recommend the following businesses that also give walks and outdoor adventures
Teithiau Cerdded Dyfi Walking Tours
VIP Wales tours based in Pembrokeshire
and for outdoor activities:
Llandysul Paddlers canoeing and paddle boarding
Aber Adventures paddle boarding lessons
HolidayNests alpaca healing centre and holiday stays
aberdabbadoo -Walks 