Then and Now
How New Quay has changed.
HOMEPAGE COTTAGES CARAVANS


OLD POSTCARDS

Many photographs of New Quay have survived thanks to the work of local photographers specialising in post cards. Some of these are Charles H. Dierks and Shirley Brooks. They had premises at 9 George Street in New Quay and at 19 Alban Square Aberaeron around 1910. Another local photographer was Tom Desmond of Priory Street Cardigan.
beach 1910

New Quay from pier

New Quay was a busy port 100 years ago. Sailing vessels would bring in Lime, coal, and all manner of goods to be unloaded at the side of the pier.

beach 2020

New Quay from pier today

The old enamelled tariffs boards can still be seen on the side of the building on the right which is now used for fishing storage and on the upper floor, is the New Quay Yacht Club.

beach 1910

Harbour Beach 1910

Bathing tents were popular in Victorian times to preserve modesty while changing.

beach 2020

Harbour Beach 2020

This photo taken in September 2020 shows family groups 'social distancing' along the beach.

Thatched Cottage

Thatched Cottage

This thatched cottage stood on what is now a parking area in front of Adam's Garage. The cottage was demolished in 1938.

Adams garage

Adams Garage parking area

The garage is presently for sale. The house across the road dates from 1861 and was the 'Prince of Wales' pub in 1871.

George Street

George Street

George Street in New Quay 100 years ago was much the same as it is now. The house on the right was formerly a funeral home, now a family home.

George Street

George Street today

George Street was first named after 1851. The blue house on the right was once a funeral home before being sold and extended.

Church Street

Church Street upper

The building on the right is the Queens Hotel. The innkeeper in 1903 was Evan Davies who hired out ponies and traps and offered a taxi service. They can be seen in front of the hotel in this old photo.

Church Street

Church Street upper today

The Queen's Hotel has now closed down and is presently unoccupied.

GWR Depot

The GWR transport depot on Park Street, 1911

The Great Western Railway motor depot on Park Street was for the benefit of road transportation for bringing customers from the station at Aberaeron. Shown here after a rare snowfall.

Park Street

Park Street today.

The depot has been replaced by private garages. The houses on Park street were mostly built between 1851 and 1861. One Park Street was the White Lion pub.

THE PIER AND THE PEPPER POT

The Pier was built after 1834 when Daniel Beynon was invited to submit a plan which was carried out after the formation of the New Quay Harbour Company. The small stone lighthouse, 30 feet high, was not built until 1839 and was placed at the end of the pier. It was known locally as the 'Pepper Pot' - an item that it clearly resembled. A severe storm in 1859 damaged the pier and washed the lighthouse away. It was rebuilt but destroyed a second time almost 80 years later during another severe storm on 28th February 1937. The pier was built from Rock carried from a quarry at the end of Rock street (known as Rock Terrace) on rail tracks, a tiny portion of which remains today behind Gingeros cafe.
George Street

Sailing boats by the pier

As well as a busy port, New Quay was a center for boat building, and at Cei Bach there were numerous boats launched. In Victorian times, New Quay was becoming a popular resort for day trips.

The Pier

The New Quay Pier today

The pier was once where goods were brought into New Quay by boat, today it serves the tourist boat operators and private craft. It is a favourite place for watching Dolphins and eating fish and chips.

Hill Street

Hill Street

The first houses on Hill Street were built between 1881 and 1891. One of the properies, 'Bank House' was once Lloyds Bank.

Hill Street

Hill Street

Again, little changed in 100 years other than the houses being more colourful.

George Street

Church Street - lower

The pub on the right was The Fisherman's Rest, later to be renamed the Dolau. It is no longer a pub, but an annexe to the Penwig Hotel. The property next door is now the 'Pepper Pot' restaurant.

Church Street

Church Street today

The property on the left is 'Golwg-y-Mor' a butchers shop selling local produce.

Church Street

Lower John Street.

The property in the foreground is Cliffside, built by John Evans, owner of the Penwig Estate, after whom South John Street was named. The property was originally a chemist, then a drapers in 1861, a grocery store in 1881, and became a hotel and cafe in 1929.

Lower John Street

Lower John Street

Cliffside is now a gift shop called 'Ocean Blue' It has the only cash point in New Quay.

George Street

High Terrace

Building started on High Terrace in 1851 when it was known as Chapel Row. At that time there were only 3 houses.

High Terrace

High Terrace today

Building started on High Terrace in 1851 when it was known as Chapel Row. At that time there were only 3 houses.

Memorial Hall

The Memorial Hall

The original Hall building in the 1930s before the fire and rebuilding. photo courtesty Briddon family

Memorial Hall

The Memorial Hall today

The balcony has been replaced with the large foyer. The hall has just had a major refit ready for 2021.

Dolphin logo
Address

Nant y Gido
New Quay
Ceredigion SA45 9TR

Contacts

email: cottages@newquaywales.co.uk
Phone:  01545 561707 

Links

West Wales Cottages
West Wales Caravans
More about New Quay