Discover Carmarthenshire
Carmarthenshire is a county of myth and legend and within its borders lie some of the most authentic and atmospheric castles in Europe. Some of these ancient ruins are so well preserved that it’s like stepping back in time, with the best examples being the romantic mountain castle of Carreg Cennen and the coastal castles of Kidwelly and Laugharne, with their turrets, towers and secret passages.
Carmarthenshire’s thriving local markets are a showcase for award-winning food and drink. You’ll find independent vineyards, craft beers, fresh seafood, home-reared Welsh beef, small-batch coffee, world-famous cheeses, milkshake vending machines hidden down winding country lanes, Welsh gin and rum, and refreshing gelato of every flavour imaginable!
Explore the stunning countryside with some beautiful walks and enjoy the rolling hills and jaw dropping scenery.
Gardens to visit in Carmarthenshire
The National Botanic Garden of Wales in the Tywi Valley has the largest glasshouse in the world maintaining a Mediterranean climate throughout the year and housing a great number of rare species from around the world, as well as hosting the Bird of Prey Centre. Activities and events take place at the gardens all year making it a popular day out for all ages in all weathers.
Aberglasney House and Gardens is an ancient estate undergoing restoration. The house and its 10 acres of gardens are also set in the beautiful Tywi valley. The three walled gardens showcase an extensive range of rare and unusual plants along with a cloister and parapet walk.
Dinefwr Park and 12th century Castle is now a National Trust property near Llandeilo, enclosing a medieval deer park.
Carmarthenshire beaches
Carmarthenshire has some of the most beautiful beaches in Wales – from the golden stretches of Pendine and Cefn Sidan (Pembrey) to the beautiful estuaries of Laugharne and Llansteffan, both displaying their dramatic castles standing guard above the estuary.
Perfect for a bucket-and-spade holiday with the family, for splashing about in the sea, damming up beach streams, exploring rockpools or burying parents in the sand! Many of Carmarthen Bay’s cottages are also dog-friendly so a stay in Carmarthen Bay means hours of fun for the whole family.
Other places in Carmarthenshire
Carmarthen was the home of Dylan Thomas. He completed the major part of his work, including Under Milk Wood in The Boathouse at Laugharne, which is open to visitors.
The award-winning Millennium Coastal Park is most impressive for its scale and beauty: 22 kilometres of coastline along the Loughor Estuary have been transformed into a unique array of tourist attractions, wildlife habitats and leisure facilities.
The cycle path on the Machynys peninsula provides a great (and flat!) route with excellent views over the mud flats of the Burry Inlet, which is internationally important for its bird life. The estuary is a Site of Special Scientific Interest and is within the Carmarthen Bay Special Area of Conservation.
The National Wetlands Centre
Make sure to visit The National Wetlands Centre. The centre provides a range of activities from canoe safaris to hand feeding some of the rarest birds in the UK. With over 600 species of the world’s most spectacular birds, including the bright pink Caribbean Flamingo, it is a great place to bring the family.
Our favourite things to do in Carmarthenshire
- Discover the Diverse Landscapes of Carmarthenshire
- Explore the Nature Reserves at Cors Goch
- Vist the Dolaucothi Goldmines
- Take in Aberglasney Gardens and Trust
- Visit Historic Towns like Carmarthen and Llandeilo
- See the Iconic Dylan Thomas Boathouse in Laughurne
- Take in Newcastle Emlyn with it’s Castle and the River Teifi
- Experience Costal Foraging