TELEVISION presenter Bedwyr Rees has travelled the length of Cardigan Bay for a new series, Arfordir Cymru: Bae Ceredigion/The hidden secrets of Cardigan Bay.

Bedwyr said: “Over the summer I had the privilege of following Wales’s biggest bay from the mouth of the Dwyryd River near Porthmadog in the north to the ancient market town of Cardigan in the south.

"Along the journey I explored the history, place names, and the human stories that make Cardigan Bay such a fascinating place, and the first leg of the journey started by the Dwyryd estuary at the northern end of the bay.

“Clough Williams Ellis’s iconic Italian village of Portmeirion is one of the crown jewels of Wales, but I wonder how many people know how local turf from the other side of the estuary was at one time transported to the biggest sport stadiums in the UK?

"Speaking to Derwyn Evans about the saltmarsh turf opposite Ynys Gifftan was a special experience. It’s great to imagine that the grass there was perfect for sport and the turf used to be transported to sporting meccas such as Wimbledon and Wembley.

“Having passed through Harlech, my next stop was the beautiful and ancient church in Llandanwg, one of the oldest churches in Wales. There’s been a Christian cell on the site since about the year 430. And although the elements try to cover the church in sand during stormy weather, the church still stands, and that could be a lesson to us all, in many respects.

“As I worked my way south I learned more about the Artro River and Morfa Dyffryn dunes with Rhodri Dafydd, a local man who now works for Natural Resources Wales. The sand dunes were a revelation. They’re not only massive but like a living thing, always moving, evolving and changing.

“As I ventured into Barmouth I was joined by John Sam Jones, a former town mayor whose colourful family have been living there for centuries. With him I found out more about local place names in the town, including a surprising connection with one of the fathers of modern day Italy, Giuseppe Garibaldi! And as the first leg came to an end, I couldn’t wait to continue my journey along the shores of the biggest bay in the country.”

Arfordir Cymru: Bae Ceredigion starts tomorrow night at 8.30pm on S4C. The series is sponsored by Discover Ceredigion.