Carmarthenshire
Carmarthenshire [dead link] (Welsh: Sir Gaerfyrddin or Sir Gâr) is a county in south west Wales. It is bounded to the north west by Ceredigion, the west by Pembrokeshire, the east by Glamorgan and to the north east by Powys
Towns and villages
Towns
- 1 Carmarthen (Welsh: Caerfyrddin) – the county town of Carmarthenshire, bustling market.
- 2 Ammanford (Rhydaman)
- 3 Burry Port (Porth Tywyn)
- 4 Kidwelly (Cydweli) – large castle
- 5 Laugharne (Talacharn) – coastal town with castle and Dylan Thomas connection
- 6 Llandeilo – picturesque market town.
- 7 Llandovery (Llanymddyfri) – picturesque market town.
- 8 Llanelli – the largest town in the county
- 9 St. Clears (Sanclêr) – market town
Villages
- 10 Ferryside (Glan-y-fferi)
- 11 Llanfynydd
- 12 Pendine (Pentywyn)
- 13 Pumsaint
- 14 Llansteffan & Llanybri
- 15 Llanybydder
Understand
Carmarthenshire is a largely rural county and has rich farmland and a large agricultural industry. It has some of the most fertile land in Wales and is known as the Garden of Wales. Carmarthenshire is an ancient county and historically the largest traditional county of Wales, which modern Carmarthenshire shares roughly the same boundaries.
The Prince of Wales's Welsh home is located near the village of Myddfai in Carmarthenshire.
Tourist information
Get in
By car
- The M4 Motorway connects Carmarthenshire with Swansea and destinations to the East, eventually reaching London. The M4 terminates at the Pont Abraham Roundabout, approximately 15 miles south east of Carmarthen and serves Llanelli.
- The A48 connects Carmarthen to the M4 at Pont Abraham. The A48 then continues along a route similar to the M4 heading eastwards.
- The A483 connects towns in eastern Carmarthenshire to places in mid and north Wales and Chester.
- The A40 is a major east–west route beginning from London and ending at Fishguard which passes through Carmarthen. East of Carmarthen, the A40 skirts the northern edge of the Brecon Beacons and passes the town of Brecon.
By train
Arriva Trains Wales run the vast majority of Services in the area, with First Great Western running a small number of through trains to London.
Train services from Shrewsbury, via central Wales on the scenic Heart of Wales Line call at Ammanford and Llanelli.
The only east–west line through Carmarthenshire is the West Wales line on which direct Arriva Trains Wales services from Manchester, Newport, Cardiff and Swansea call at Llanelli and Carmarthen as well as many other smaller stations. First Great Western trains from London only run directly to Llanelli and Carmarthen during the summer months. At other times, a change at Swansea or Newport is required.
By bus
National Express operate coach services to Carmarthen from Blackpool, Birmingham and London (Victoria). The TrawsCambria service from Cardiff Bay to Aberystwyth calls at Carmarthen. To Llanelli, National Express operate regular coach services from London (Victoria).
By plane
- Pembrey Airport (ICAO:EGFP) in the south of Carmarthenshire handles private light aircraft. Charter company South Western Airlines operate out of Pembrey Airport.
By boat
The ferry ports at Pembroke Dock and Fishguart are approximately an hour away from Carmarthenshire, offering ferry services between south Wales and Ireland.
Get around
The best way to travel around Carmarthenshire is by private car.
See also Carmarthenshire government bus page
See
Castles
- Carmarthen Castle
- Carreg Cennen Castle, near Llandeilo
- Dinefwr Castle, near Llandeilo
- Dryslwyn Castle, near Llandeilo
- Kidwelly Castle
- Laugharne Castle
- Llandovery Castle
- Llansteffan Castle
Coastline
- Cefn Sidan beach near Burry Port
- Gwendraeth estuary near Kidwelly
- Llansteffan beach
- Pendine Sands
Parks and Gardens
- Aberglasney near Llandeilo
- Black Mountain, the range of mountains on the far western part of the Brecon Beacons National Park falls within Carmarthenshire. This part of the Brecon Beacons is far less visited than the central and western parts but is no less spectacular.
- National Botanical Gardens of Wales near Carmarthen.
Do
Aviation
- Pembrey Airport, Burry Port
Motor Racing
- Pembrey Circuit , Burry Port
- Pendine Museum of Speed
Skiing
- Pembrey Country Park, Burry Port
Spectator Sports
Cycling
- Millenium Coastal Path (part of NCR 4) This route follows the Carmarthenshire coast south of Llanelli.
Eat
Carmarthen and Llanelli offer the best opportunities in Carmarthenshire. Carmarthen contains chain restaurants such as Pizza Express, Frankie and Benny's, Harvester and the Real China as well as fast food eateries McDonalds and KFC. Outside of the town are a number of independent restaurants including Y Polyn (AA restaurant of the year for Wales 2010), The Cors in Laugharne (located in a bog garden) and Hurst House (previously owned by Neil Morrissey).
Drink
Llanelli has the best collection of pubs and bars in Carmarthenshire.
Sleep
- 1 Ty Mawr, Brechfa SA32 7RA, ☏ +44 1267 202332. Excellent small hotel, not plush, but great welcome and dining. No children under 10. B&B double £110.
Talk
The area is by and large bi-lingual. Welsh and English are both widely used.
Stay safe
Go next
- Brecon Beacons National Park - a short drive from Carmarthenshire will take you into this land of lakes, mountain peaks and Celtic mystery.
- Cardiff - Wales' capital city - castle - shopping - between 1 - 1 1/2 hours by car. There timetabled train services to Cardiff from Carmarthen and Llanelli as well as other smaller village stations. Direct bus services to Cardiff are available at Carmarthen and Llanelli.
- Pembrokeshire Coast National Park the only coastal national park in the UK, found just to the West of Carmarthenshire.
- Swansea and Gower peninsula - Wales second largest city lies just to the south east of Carmarthenshire for shopping, leisure, nightlife and restaurants. There are frequent bus and train connections from Llanelli and Carmarthen.