Constitution Hill, Aberystwyth facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Constitution Hill |
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| Consti | |
View of the promenade, Aberystwyth, 1985, with Constitution Hill rising above the seafront.
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| Highest point | |
| Elevation | 97.1 metres (319 ft) |
| Naming | |
| Native name | [Craig-glais] Error: {{native name}}: unrecognized language tag: Welsh (help) (language?) |
| Geography | |
 Constitution Hill
Location in Wales
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| Location | Ceredigion, Wales |
| Topo map | OS Explorer 213 - Aberystwyth & Cwm Rheidol |
| Climbing | |
| Easiest route | Via Aberystwyth Cliff Railway |
Constitution Hill (called Craig-glais in Welsh) is a well-known hill in the town of Aberystwyth, Wales. It sits just north of the town center.
This hill offers amazing views of Cardigan Bay and the surrounding area. On a clear day, you can see all the way to Snowdonia National Park and even parts of north Pembrokeshire. Locals often call it "Consti" for short.
Since 1896, the Aberystwyth Cliff Railway has taken visitors to the top of the hill. At the summit, you'll find a camera obscura. This fun attraction was rebuilt in the 1980s, replacing an older one from the Victorian era.
A walking path called the Clarach Footpath, part of the Wales Coast Path, runs over the hill. It connects Aberystwyth with Clarach Bay.
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What is Constitution Hill Like?
Constitution Hill is located on the western coast of Wales. It's found north of Aberystwyth town and south of the Clarach Bay holiday area. The popular Wales Coast Path crosses the hill from south to north.
At the bottom of the hill, there's a unique tradition. People stop at a metal bar on the ground and "kick the bar" with their feet. No one knows exactly why this custom started, but it's a fun local mystery!
A Look Back: History of Constitution Hill
For many years, from medieval times until the early 1900s, Constitution Hill was home to several large stone quarries. These quarries provided much of the stone used to build Aberystwyth, including its famous castle.
How the Hill Became a Tourist Spot
In 1895, a company called the Aberystwyth Improvement Company was created. Their goal was to turn Constitution Hill into a fun place for visitors. A businessman named George Newnes helped fund the project. The development of the hill was planned by George Croydon Marks.
Over the next few years, the company built many attractions. They added a restaurant and arcades at the bottom of the hill. They also created a theme park called Luna Park and the original camera obscura. The most famous addition was the Aberystwyth Cliff Railway.
The Famous Cliff Railway
The Luna Park theme park didn't last very long. Bad weather during several summers meant fewer visitors. However, the cliff railway was a big success! It opened in 1896 and travels about 778 feet (237 meters) up the hill. The railway is very steep, with a gradient of over 50%.
When it first opened, the railway worked by using water. A tank in the descending car would be filled with water, making it heavy enough to pull the other car up. In 1921, the railway was changed to run on electricity.
Modern Attractions on the Hilltop
The original camera obscura and other Victorian attractions on the hilltop were left unused in the first half of the 20th century. By 1959, only one building remained. But in the 1980s, the site was redeveloped. This is when the modern camera obscura and other facilities you see today were built.
