Hugh Owen Library

The Hugh Owen Library sits at the heart of Aberystwyth University's campus, a sprawling modernist building that's actually worth a proper look if you're passing through town. It's named after a 19th-century Welsh educator and serves as the main library for the university - all soaring ceilings, open-plan reading spaces, and enough books to keep you occupied for days if you're into that sort of thing.

Unless you're a student or researcher with legitimate access needs, you won't be wandering in freely. The building is primarily for university use, though the architecture itself is impressive enough to appreciate from outside. The real draw for holiday visitors staying at the nearby parks - Aberystwyth Holiday Village is practically on your doorstep at less than a mile away - is understanding what makes this part of Wales tick. It's the intellectual heart of the town.

Honestly, it's not a tourist attraction in the traditional sense. You're not going to spend an afternoon inside unless you've got a library card and actual work to do. But if you're interested in Welsh education, university campuses, or just architectural design from the mid-20th century, it's worth a walk past. Aberystwyth itself is the main event - the pier, the promenade, the castle ruins - and the library fits into that picture rather than dominating it.

Best visited during term time when the place has proper energy, though it does operate year-round. Give yourself ten minutes for the exterior if you're in the area.