Many destinations claim to be authentic, but with its natural landscape and welcoming people, you can rest assured Carmarthenshire truly is as genuine as they come and offers everything you could want from a short break.
From Carmarthen Bay in the South to the Western Brecon Beacons and Cambrian Mountains in the North, this remarkable county is full of spectacular and diverse landscapes with epic mountains, breath-taking vistas and even a crystalline coastline that peeks across to Saundersfoot in Pembrokeshire and the Gower Peninsular. It’s also home to Wales’s longest beach, as well as some of its most dramatic castles, making it ripe for exploration at any time of the year.
When you aren’t immersing yourself in its striking landscapes, you can take your pick from charming rural market towns that are full of independent shops and good honest pubs – plus cool coffee roasteries. And, if you needed more reasons to love the area, not only is it incredibly easy to reach (it sits at the end of the M4), but it also boasts a range of gorgeous boutique hotels – each one bountiful in warm Welsh hospitality. Country cottage stays are available too, and will allow you to enjoy quality time with family and friends in the most beautiful setting.
Read on to discover just a few reasons why you should make Carmarthenshire your next staycation destination...
Sat atop a hill overlooking the River Tywi, you’ll find the handsome market town of Llandeilo, which fuses farming feet with country chic. This picturesque corner of the world will brighten your spirits as multicoloured Edwardian and Georgian houses greet you at every turn – it was even nominated by the Sunday Times as one of the best places to live in Wales.
In the northeast is charming Llandovery, a town which lies close to the Brecon Beacons National Park, a gateway to the astounding beauty of the Cambrian Mountains. It too sits on the banks of the River Tywi, and while it may be small in size, it’s big on appeal.
Just over halfway along the River Teifi – the longest river to run wholly through Wales – there’s the historic market town of Newcastle Emlyn. Nestled within the stunning Teifi Valley, it’s home to some wonderful independent shops, and there’s even a bustling market on Fridays. Wherever you chose to go, one thing’s for sure: you’ll find places rich in history and culture with plenty to see and do.
Relaxation means something different to everybody. For some, winding down means getting active – and there's plenty of opportunity for that in Carmarthenshire too. When you discover the county on foot, it allows you to connect more – with nature, with the locals, and with the story of Carmarthenshire. Here are some of the best:
• Dylan Thomas Birthday Walk: An homage to one of Wales’s most extraordinary poets, this delightful 3.2km walk along the Wales Coastal Path passes through Dylan Thomas’s Carmarthenshire home and promises excellent views of the Taf Estuary.
• Llansteffan Circular Walk: This 3km trail takes in the imposing Norman castle of Llansteffan and boasts staggering views across Carmarthen Bay.
• Llandeilo Full Circular Walk: This walk takes in town and country. Highlights include St Teilo’s Church, Dinefwr Castle (Cadw Castle) and Newton House.
Want to find more of the county’s great walks? Just click below...
If you’re looking for somewhere to explore, Carmarthenshire’s impressive historic houses and attractions are full of treasures. Uncover fascinating and curious art and antiquities inside the Carmarthenshire Museum. Located inside the beautifully restored old palace of the Bishops of St Davids, its collections span 50,000 years of human history. The skeletal remains of Talley Abbey are also not to be missed. Founded in the 1180s by Lord Rhys – a powerful Welsh prince for the monks or Premonstratensian order – it stands in an idyllic setting beside Talley’s twin lakes and was the first and only abbey for this order in Wales. To really immerse yourself in the surroundings, take one of the three walking trails to the viewpoint offering impressive views of the ruins of the Cothi Valley.
Paxton’s tower, a neo-gothic folly looked after by the National Trust, was built in honour of Lord Nelson and is another popular choice, as is Newton House, a regal Grade II-listed mansion on the grounds of Dinefwr Castle. Home to the Rhys family for more than 300 years, the property has undergone numerous restorations over the years – the most significant being the Gothic façade that was added in the 1850s – but inside most of the house stays true to its original 17th century roots. Along with some wonderful exhibitions, you may also be lucky enough to see the White Park Cattle herd which have been at Dinefwr for more than 1000 years!
Take a walk in some of Wales’s finest gardens, including magical Aberglasney. This heritage garden is set in the heart of the Tywi Valley and includes three breath-taking walled gardens as well as the Elizabethan/Jacobean Closter garden, which is bounded by a three-sided arcaded walkway made of solid stone and a Parapet walk.
There’s also the very different, but no less captivating, National Botanic Garden of Wales. This sprawling 500 acre complex features a wonderful range of themed gardens and even boasts the worlds largest single span glasshouse. Perhaps best of all, the restoration of its regency waterpark – which is considered one of the best in Britain – is also now open to visitors. And don’t leave without visiting its British Bird of prey centre, where you’ll have the chance to interact with British raptors, including golden eagles, red kites and peregrine falcons. It’s little wonder this place was recently voted the number one ‘Wonder of Wales’.
Carmarthenshire is home to many castles with stories to tell. Along the coast, you’ll find Laugharne, Kidwelly and Llansteffan, each offering wonderful views of Carmarthen Bay. Inland, the castles are often perched above picturesque valleys and rivers, including Dinefwr, Dryslwyn, Newcastle Emlyn, and Carmarthen.
Perhaps the most dramatic of all though, and certainly the most photographed, is Carreg Cennen. You can enjoy a circular walk around this spectacularly positioned ruined castle that sits high above the river on the edge of the Brecon Beacons National Park. It’s particularly popular with birdwatchers, as Wales’s most famous bird of prey, the Red Kite, is often seen bursting skyward, and you may even see buzzards soaring overhead. Both have loud mewing calls and are often heard before they’re seen!
With its superb choice of idyllic coastline, mountainous parkland and walking trails, Carmarthenshire is the ultimate dog-friendly desination. If you’ve got yourself a high-energy pooch, then Pembery County Park is the place to go. Not only is there lush forestry and wide open parkland, but there’s even an eight-mile stretch of golden sand, though dog restrictions are in place between 1st May - 30th September.
Cenarth Falls – a beauty spot since Victorian times – is also great for dog walks. Pose with your pooch on its stone bridge and watch salmon leap the falls on their way up river to spawn. No matter what time of year you visit, Cenarth’s cosy pubs and tea rooms will always welcome you and your dog with open arms, though you’ll experience this same warm welcome at many of Carmarthenshire’s pubs, cafes, hotels, and attractions.
Stargazers and astronomers can marvel at some of the UK's darkest night skies with Dark Sky Discovery Sites at Llanllwni Mountain and Llyn Brianne in the north of the county. To the east, there’s the Brecon Beacons National Park, with its lack of light pollution promising dazzling views of the Milky Way. It’s so spectacular that it was even designated an International Dark Sky Reserve in 2013 – only the fifth place in the world to hold the prestigious title, while the National Botanical Garden of Wales was the first botanic garden to be designated a Dark Sky Discovery site.
Agriculture has always been important in Carmarthenshire, so you’ll find plenty of places serving up food and drink that’s locally sourced, prepared with care and presented with passion. Whether you’re looking for a romantic spot to dine or the perfect mid-walk pit stop, this delightful county can offer you both. For a drop of delicious, eco-friendly coffee, try Coaltown Coffee. This Ammanford-based roastery is passionate about sustainability and was set up with one ambition: to bring an industry back to Ammanford, which was previously a coalmining centre. If you fancy something a little stronger, there’s the Ginhaus Deli in Llandeilo, which stocks an amazing selection of gins.
Those with a penchant for sweet treats should head to the new Frank’s Gelataria. Each scoop of ice cream is made from a traditional recipe and includes some of the finest welsh ingredients for a taste you won’t forget – and you can even watch it being made behind the scenes! Heavenly in Llandeilo is another must-stop. It’s a chocolate, ice cream and cake shop that even Willy Wonka would feel at home in. From love spoons to footballs, the chocolates here are made on the premises and come in all shapes and sizes. It really is heavenly.
Carmarthenshire’s country towns are alive with independent shops, with many stocking items that are proudly connected to the county. Llandeilo, for example, is renowned for its boutiques and antiques, and you can expect to pick up anything from a new watercolour for the wall to a casserole pot for the kitchen – not to mention a few new wardrobe additions. Super tactile garment company Toast was launched on Llandeilo’s King Steet and is still there today. Further up the road, there’s Peppercorn, a designer kitchenware store that’s sure to lure any keen cook through its doors. If you’re in the market for a special piece of jewellery, stop at Mari Thomas. This award-winning jewellery designer has created statement pieces for the likes of Catherine Zeta-Jones, the Prince of Wales and Boy George.
Those who prefer to make new memories out of something old will love At Works Antiques – one of the biggest antique centres in South West Wales. Here, you’ll discover 55 dealers offering everything from period furniture and china to paintings and jewellery. Tim Bowen Antiques in Ferryside is another favourite. Not only does it offer unique antiques, but you’ll even get to take in stunning views of the estuary while you shop. If you’re into upcycling pieces, then Ammanford Antiques is the place for you.
There’s a lot more to Carmarthenshire than just gorgeous green countryside. It also boasts miles and miles of pristine coastline, including vast sandy beaches, crystal-clear waters and breath-taking headlands making it ideal for an invigorating beach-side escape. Glorious Cefn Sidan is the longest beach in Wales with over eight miles of sand for visitors to enjoy.
What’s more, many of the beaches have seen their fair share of adventurous endeavours too - from the multiple land speed records broken on Pendine Sands to the touchdown of Amelia Earhart, the first woman to fly across the Atlantic, at Burry Port. With so many fantastic things to see and do, plus magnificent places to eat and stay in each stretch of coastline, the only question left to ask is... which one will you explore first?