Aberdyfi is situated on the northern shore of the Dyfi estuary and was the port of the Dyfi river, serving the inhabitants of South Merioneth, North Cardiganshire and, through Derwen-las. West Montgomeryshire. Aberdyfi flourished as a a shipbuilding centre and busy commercial port in two widely separated periods. In the late sixteenth and early seventeenth centuries, apart from being perhaps the principal centre of Cardigan Bay's herring fishery, Aberdyfi enjoyed an early prosperity based upon the export of lead ore extracted from mines in Montgomeryshire and parts of Cardiganshire. The reduction of this industry and trade and the concentration of the herring fishery at Aberystwyth had a marked effect upon Aberdyfi. However, the port continued to serve an extensive hinterland, exporting timber and oak bark and importing grain. With the development of the slate industry of South Merioneth in the early nineteenth century, Aberdyfi once again enjoyed a sound export trade. The creation of the Waterford and Aberdovey Steam Ship Company in the 1880's was a short lived plan to link the port with the Irish Midlands. The last vessel built there was launched in 1880.

Aberdovey station was opened c. 1863 by the Aberystwyth and Welsh Coast Railway, which was then run by the Cambrian Railway, and became part of the Great Western Railway. Aberdovey is now known as a seaside resort with watersports as a major feature.

Reference:
Dr. Lewis Lloyd, 'Aberdyfi, its Shipping and Seamen (1565-1907)'

"Towyn Local Board: Aberdovey Sewerage General Plan and Sections" from c. 1894, included in the C. F. Ellis collection.  

RCAHMW, 2024.