Holiday apartments in Carmarthenshire between coast, castles and trails

Carmarthenshire stretches from Carmarthen Bay in the south to the western Beacons and the Cambrian Mountains in the north. This extensive area contains coastal landscapes, parks, historic fortifications, trails and cultural sites with very different focal points.

Nature

The National Botanic Garden of Wales covers more than 500 acres, including the Waun Las Nature Reserve, and has visitor trails. The garden is of international importance and is dedicated to conservation, horticulture, science, education, recreation and art. The WWT Llanelli Wetland Centre has a different landscape character: it covers more than 450 acres of wetlands on the shore of the Burry Inlet and has accessible trails, observation hides and interactive exhibitions.

Dinefwr also combines designated nature areas with an ancient parkland landscape. Dinefwr is designated both as a Site of Special Scientific Interest and as a National Nature Reserve. The parkland contains trees estimated to be more than 700 years old, providing habitats for numerous lichens and insects. Carmarthenshire’s Millennium Coastal Park offers sweeping views of the Gower Peninsula.

Pembrey Country Park contains 500 acres of parkland and eight miles of Cefn-Sidan beach. The park also includes an artificial ski slope, toboggan runs and a cycle hire service.

Trails

The Tywi Valley Path is a 13-mile cycling and walking route through the Tywi Valley, connecting Carmarthen and Llandeilo. It is approved for cyclists, pedestrians, users of mobility aids, and users of powered wheelchairs and mobility scooters.

The Heart of Wales Line Trail can be combined with a train journey: visitors can walk in one direction and return by train. In the surrounding Dolaucothi Estate, 25 kilometres of walking paths are available, while the routes through the Tywi Valley and the estate explore different landscape areas.

History

Carreg Cennen Castle stands on a limestone crag almost 300 feet (90 m) above the River Cennen. Visitors can explore the natural cave and the vaulted passage cut into the rock face. At Llansteffan Castle, the roughly hewn stone walls date from the late 12th century. They enclose an Iron Age hillfort that was inhabited around 600 BC. The ascent to Llansteffan Castle is steep and takes approximately 15 minutes to reach the entrance.

Dryslwyn Castle was founded in the 13th century on an isolated hill in the Tywi Valley and was an important seat of the ancient south Welsh kingdom of Deheubarth. Access is from the lower car park via a steep climb. Laugharne Castle consists of two imposing medieval stone towers that guard the remains of a Tudor mansion in a 19th-century ornamental garden. Behind the gatehouse, there is easy access for wheelchairs and pushchairs.

The Dolaucothi Gold Mines are the only known Roman gold mine in Britain. They offer three different guided underground tours; booking is required.

Culture

The Dylan Thomas Boathouse was the poet Dylan Thomas’s last home, where he lived with his family from 1949 to 1953. The Museum of Land Speed presents almost 100 years of land-speed record history at Pendine Sands. It combines large-object exhibits, such as the Babs racing car, with interactive exhibitions.

For everyday regional market shopping, Carmarthenshire operates covered markets in Carmarthen and Llanelli, as well as weekly outdoor markets in Carmarthen, Llanelli, Ammanford and Llandeilo.

Other places

Other places to consider in the region: Llandeilo, Llandybie, Laugharne, Newcastle Emlyn, Cynghordy, Llanelli, St. Ishmael, Carmarthen, Llanegwad, Talley, Kidwelly, St Clears, Llangyndeyrn, Llangadog, Llangunnor, Llanarthney, Cwmdu, Llandovery, Nantgaredig, Burry Port, Ferryside, Brechfa, Pencader, Garnant, Whitland, Cross Hands, Llanwrda, Myddfai, Llanddarog, Glanaman, Ammanford, Gwynfe, Felindre, Pontyberem, Henllan Amgoed, Hendy, Cilycwm, Llansadwrn, Bancyfelin, Upper Brynamman, Rhandirmwyn.

For the main travel overview: Wales.