Worth getting out of bed for
Highlights the best Carmarthen Bay has to offer, from art and culture to fun-packed activities; we've even found the most inspiring place to enjoy the views from.
- Viewpoint
- Stroll through the cockle-shelled paths of Laugharne Castle then climb up the tower for a bird’s eye view of Laugharne and out over the Taf estuary.
- Arts and culture
- The Boathouse in Laugharne, where Dylan Thomas lived and wrote, is now a heritage centre devoted to his life (www.dylanthomasboathouse.com). For nature lovers, the National Botanic Garden of Wales in Llanarthne boasts a bat hibernaculum and the longest herbaceous border in Britain; it also runs a rolling programme of concerts and outdoor theatre (+44 (0)1558 667165; www.gardenofwales.org.uk). Europe’s busiest touring opera company, the Welsh National Opera, appears regularly in Swansea (www.wno.org.uk).
- Something for nothing
- Free-entry Parc Howard Museum and Art Gallery is set in a historic mansion with manicured grand gardens (+44 (0)1554 772029). Carmarthenshire County Museum in Abergwili (+44 (0)1267 228696) is another complimentary option. This former Bishops’ palace displays local-archaeology-focused tidbits. For details of other free attractions in the county, ring +44 (0)845 658 0445.
- Shopping
- In Laugharne, World of Wales (+44 (0)1994 427632) has local arts, crafts and souvenirs handmade by the monks on Caldey Island, including perfumes and chocolate. Quicksilver Jewellery Workshop makes intricate silverware, and accepts bespoke commissions (+44 (0)1994 427700). From its remote spot on the Pembrokeshire coast, the Melin Tregwynt Mill shop sells Welsh wool cushions and throws in contemporary-cool designs (+44 (0)1348 891288; www.melintregwynt.co.uk).
- Daytripper
- Go on a castle-hopping recce and get the lay of the land at the same time: start at Laugharne Castle on the Taf estuary, then head inland to the Norman ruins of Kidwelly Castle and the stone fortress of Llansteffan. Finish off north of Swansea with Wales’ most spectacularly positioned castle, Carreg Cennen, which looks out towards Black Mountain (www.castlewales.com).
- Best beach
- Pendine Sands, not far along the coast from Laugharne: seven miles of child-friendly, dog-welcoming, kite-surf-perfect beach.
- Perfect Picnic
- With a huge bay and miles of unspoilt beach to wander, you won’t have trouble finding a quiet patch of sand to lay a blanket on. For foodie supplies, take a look around Carmarthen Market on St Catherine Street (www.carmarthenmarket.co.uk), where stalls stock baked goodies and local cheeses including the salty blue Perl Las, which is made by Caws Cenarth Cheese on a farm 30 miles outside Carmarthen (www.cawscenarth.co.uk).
- Walks
- There are several lovely walks from Laugharne Castle; head south and either take the high road over Sir John’s Hill, or the low road, ‘Cockshilly’; you’ll be rewarded with wonderful views of the Gower Peninsula to the east and Pembrokeshire to the west. You can download detailed walking maps of the region for free at www.carmarthenshire.gov.uk.
- Children
- The Pembrey Country Park near Llanelli is one giant adventure playground – more than 200 hectares of glorious parkland with plenty of activities to keep kids in the holiday mood. As well as one of the longest and cleanest beaches in Wales, it has a pitch-and-putt golf course and a miniature railway for little ones. Older children will gravitate towards either the equestrian centre, toboggan run, or the two dry ski slopes, one for skiing, the other for snowboarding (+44 (0)1554 833913; www.carmarthenshire.gov.uk).
- Activities
- You can try all manner of activities, including coasteering, surfing, kayaking, abseiling and quad biking, at the Morfa Bay Adventure centre in Pendine (01994 453588; www.morfabay.co.uk). To get a feel for the coast, hire a bike from the Discovery Centre in Llanelli (+44 (0)1554 777744) and cycle the 14-mile Millennium Coastal Path that winds around the waterfront to Pembrey Country Park. For a different perspective on the coastline, see it from the sea on a one- or two-night mini cruise with Celtic Cruises (www.celticcruises.co.uk).
Diary
March/April The Laugharne Weekend, a celebration of Welsh and Celtic writing in performance (www.thelaugharneweekend.com). Late May Llanelli Festival of Walks offers up to 15 different guided walks a day, taking in gorgeous countryside and landmarks (www.llanelliramblers.org.uk). June Carmarthen Antiques and Collectors’ Fair at United Counties Showground sees dealers selling everything from Georgian furniture to 20th-century kitchenalia and jewellery (www.towyevents.co.uk). September The National Mud Festival of Wales draws attention to the wetlands by getting down and dirty with welly-wanging competitions and mud sculpting (+44 (0)1554 741087; www.wwt.org.uk). October Apple Weekend at the National Botanic Garden of Wales; anything with a pip and a core is ripe for celebration (www.gardenofwales.org.uk). Early December Aberglasney’s Traditional Winter Fair, an annual yuletide favourite at the stately home, has more mulled wine, minstrels and market stalls than you could shake a cinnamon stick at (www.aberglasney.org).
