Llanelli is a large town in Carmarthenshire that sums up everything that South Wales was historically about: Rugby Union, religious nonconformity, proud preservation of the Welsh language, metal-bashing of steel for car production and tinplate for tin cans — and brownfield desolation when this industry declined. Aside from industry, Llanelli is also renowned for its pottery, which has a unique cockerel hand-painted on each item. A collection of this pottery can bee seen at the Llanelli Museum in Parc Howard.

Parc Howard Museum

Llanelli is a base for visiting scenic areas such as the Millennium Coastal Path and Pembrey Country Park.

Understand

Llanelli remains industrial, and is a commuter town for Swansea 10 miles east; its population in 2019 was estimated to be 26,000. Llanelli people are sometimes nicknamed "Turks", for uncertain reasons. One theory is that many Turkish sailors once called at the port on their voyages.

Get in

By plane

Pembrey Airport, 7 km from the town, serves private flights only.

By car

Llanelli is linked with the M4 motorway via the A4138, and with Swansea via the Loughor Bridge on the A484.

By bus

Llanelli is served by regular local bus services between Swansea and Carmarthen and National Express Coaches between many major UK destinations.

By train

Llanelli railway station is connected to Fishguard and Swansea along the West Wales Line. The station is also on the Heart of Wales Line, which links the town to Mid Wales and Shrewsbury.

• 1 Llanelli railway station, Great Western Crescent, SA15 2RN (south of the town centre). A station with trains to London, Cardiff, Swansea, Carmarthen, Tenby etc. Around £60 to London Paddington. (updated Jul 2023)

By bicycle

Llanelli is connected to the National Cycle Network from the north on NCR 43, and along the coast from the east and west on NCR 4. These routes are directly connected to the town centre via a cycle path.

Get around

On foot

Walking is the best way to get around Llanelli as it is not a large city like Swansea.

By bike

The town has a small network of bike paths, though they may not always take you on the most direct route. The town connects with Routes 4 and 47 of the National Cycle Network. Opposite the railway station is a Brompton foldable bike hiring facility.

By bus

Buses in Llanelli are operated by First Cymru. Tickets can be bought on board or via the First Bus app. Cash, card, and contactless are accepted on board. You can be fined for not having a ticket. Discounts up to 30% are available for 16-21 year olds carrying a mytravelpass card. Buses to Swansea run quite reliably. Local services stop late into the evening.

By train

Llanelli is on the Heart of Wales line. It has direct connections to the surrounding villages of Bynea and Llangennech, though these areas are mostly residential so you probably won't find yourself travelling there. If you do plan on travelling to either village, plan ahead - trains on this rural line can be cancelled at short notice.

By taxi

Taxis and Private Hire Vehicles (PHVs) in Llanelli are licensed by Carmarthenshire County Council. They are few and far between; even getting one from the railway station can be a challenge. If you must get one, your best bet is to book in advance.

Taxi ranks are available in the town centre near the Ffwrnes Theatre, though these are regularly empty.

You are unlikely to get scammed using a licensed taxi in Llanelli. If you feel you have been, or you want to complain for another reason, note down the registration and contact the Council. For more information, Taxi and PHV licensing conditions can be found here.

See

• 1 WWT National Wetlands Centre, Llwynhendy, ☏ +44 1554 741087. A wetland nature reserve managed by the Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust. It is about 1 km from the town. 
• 2 Llanelly House, Bridge Street, ☏ +44 1554 772857. Temporarily closed due to fire. A Georgian townhouse built in 1714, restored in 2013 now used for events and a bistro. (updated Jul 2023)
• 3 Parc Howard Museum, Felinfoel Rd (in the grounds of Park Howard). The museum houses a collection of Llanelli Pottery, various pieces of art and material related to the history of the town. It was renovated in 2023. (updated Jan 2024)
• Stepney Street (town centre). Pedestrianised area with many amenities nearby, including a high street, cinema, theatre, restaurants, indoor market, pubs, hotels, a railway and a bus station. It’s not very lively, though events are held year-round, so be sure to check the schedule. (updated Jul 2023)

Do

• 1 Parc y Scarlets, Llanelli, SA14 9UZ. Rugby stadium home to the Scarlets, one of Wales’ most successful teams. It holds a capacity of almost 15,000 with hospitality options. Booking tickets for the N11 stands will offer you an authentic experience watching the ‘Turks’ Usually ~£30 for adults, ~£15 for young adults and under £10 for children. Tickets can be bought online, over the phone, or at the stadium’s ticket office. (updated Jul 2023)
• 2 Theatr Ffwrnes (Ffwrnes Theatre), Park Street, Llanelli, SA15 3YE, ☏ +44 345 2263510, theatres@carmarthenshire.gov.uk. Modern, state-of-the-art theatre located in the heart of the town hosting a range of shows, film screenings, gigs and the like. Check out the website to see what’s playing. (updated Jul 2023)
• 3 Machynys Peninsula Golf Club & Premier Spa, Nicklaus Avenue, Machynys, SA15 2DG (15 minutes from the M4 motorway, junction 48.), ☏ +44 1554 744888, info@machynys.com. A picturesque course with stunning views over Carmarthen Bay and the Gower Peninsula and including 25 acres of salt and fresh water lakes. 18 holes, 7051 yds, Par 72, Standard scratch score 75. Visitors welcome. Booking required. Handicap certificate. Dress code. 
• Walk the Heart of Wales Line Trail from Llanelli to Pontarddulais railway station.

Buy

The town centre offers a wide range of stores with many national chains represented.

• 1 Llanelli Market (Marchnad Llanelli), SA15 1YH. M-Sa 8:30AM-5PM. Traditional indoor market with places to eat (updated Jul 2023)
• 2 Parc Trostre (accessible from junction 48 of M4; follow A4138 to Llanelli for 4 miles until reach the roundabout). M-Sa 8AM-8PM, Su 11AM-5PM. An out-of-town retail park. M&S, Boots, TK Maxx, B&Q (one of the largest in Wales), Pets at home, Dreams, Tesco Extra, Costa, Pizza Hut, Subway, KFC, McDonald's, and WHSmith. (updated Jul 2023)
• 3 Parc Pemberton. An out-of-town retail park. Morrisons, The Range, Argos Extra, Curry’s, The Food Warehouse, Halfords, Costa, Dunelm. (updated Jul 2023)
• 4 St Elli’s Shopping Centre (Canolfan Siopa St Elli) (next to the town centre, near Llanelli Bus Station), toll-free: +44 1554 774426, admin@stellicentre.co.uk. M-Sa 8AM-6PM, Su 10AM-4PM. An indoor shopping centre. Includes national chains such as the Card Factory, Peacocks, Gregg’s, Sports Direct, Poundland, and a large Asda. (updated Jul 2023)

Eat

• 1 Dhamis Original Fishbar, 41-43 Station Rd, ☏ +44 1554 753275. 
• 2 The Halfmoon, 71 Wern Rd, ☏ +44 1554 772626. 
• 3 Jenkins Bakery, 49 Thomas Street, SA15 3JE (town centre). South Wales’ answer to Gregg’s, this local bakery operates many stores in and beyond the town. Sit down and enjoy a traditional Welsh Rarebit with a coffee. (updated Jul 2023)
• 4 The Bridge, Bridge Street, Llangennech (catch the train to Llangennech and walk straight down Heol y Parc; or follow the A484 to the B4297 in Llangennech), hello@thebridgellangennech.co.uk. A pub in the nearby village of Llangennech which is well known for its carvery. £11.95 for an adult carvery. (updated Aug 2023)
• 5 Bryn Breakfast, 6-8 Penllwyngwyn Rd, Bryn, Llanelli SA14 9UF (catch the L3 or L7 bus toward Pontarddulais which stop right outside the cafe). This family-run cafe offers breakfast that's a little more upmarket than a usual greasy spoons, though the prices are still good. Lunch options such as burgers and curries are also available. £6.50 for a regular English breakfast and £2.95 for a cappuccino. (updated Aug 2023)

Upmarket

• 6 Machynys Bar and Brasserie. Prices and quality reflect the fact that it's a golf club £34.95 for two courses. (updated Jan 2024)
• 7 St Elli's Bay. Situated on the Millenium Coastal Path About £20 for two courses. (updated Jan 2024)

Drink

There are numerous pubs in Llanelli. The main clubs and bars for the younger generations are Tom Peppers, and Le Caprice, and there are tens of other pubs that would be frequented by the local crowd, especially on a Friday and Saturday night.

• 1 Felinfoel brewery, Farmers Row, ☏ +44 1554 773357. The famous brewery is in the village of Felinfoel 1 mile N of the town. Try the Double Dragon draught. 
• 2 The York Palace, Wetherspoons (south west down Stepney Street, opposite the town council building). M-Th 8AM-midnight, F Sa 8AM-1AM, Su 8AM-midnight. Built in an old cinema, this relatively large Wetherspoons offers what you’d expect from the chain: cheap drinks and mediocre food. It is one of the more livelier places on the weekends. £3 for a pint. (updated Jul 2023)
• 3 The Metropolitan Bar (MetBar), ☏ +44 1554 773357. An old bar turned nightclub. It can attract a large, mixed-age crowd on weekends. It’s quite dingy and drinks are relatively cheap. There’s a large dance floor along with karaoke and a courtyard to sit outside. Admission is under £5, cash only. (updated Jul 2023)

Sleep

• 1 Trepartridge Cottage, Trimsaran Road, ☏ +44 1554 810424. Check-in: Sa 3PM, check-out: Sa 10AM. Self catering cottage sleeps 6 quiet location yet within short distance to llanelli, new Ffos Las racecourse, Pembrey country park. Short breaks, dogs welcome, ample parking. £150-650/week. 
• 2 Llwynifan Farm, Llangennech, ☏ +44 1554 820420. Caravan site. (updated Jan 2019)
• 3 Dan-y-Cwarre Farmhouse (Bed & Breakfast), Five Roads, ☏ +44 1269 860187, jackierawlings@fsmail.net. This 3-star self-catering farmhouse sleeping 20 is in the village of Five Roads. Free Wi-Fi, ample off road parking, cycle/kit storage. 10 minutes from coast, overlooking Ffos Las Racecourse. Weekend bookings available. from £800 per week. 
• 4 Gateway Caravan Park, Bynea, ☏ +44 1554 771202. On the Millennium Coast overlooking the Burry Inlet in south Carmarthenshire between Swansea and Llanelli. 
• 5 Southmead Guesthouse, 72 Queen Victoria Road, ☏ +44 1554 758588. 
• 6 The Waun Wyllt Inn, Horeb Road, Five Roads, ☏ +44 1269 860209. 
• 7 Hotel Miramar, 156/158 Station Road, ☏ +44 1554 754726, fax: +44 1554 772454. 
• 8 Premier Inn Llanelli Central East, Llandafen Road, SA14 9BD, ☏ +44 8708 506392. 
• 9 Best Western Diplomat Hotel, Felinfoel, ☏ +44 1554 756156. 

Connect

The town has good 4G coverage. 5G is available in some areas too. Most eateries offer free Wi-Fi. Alternatively you can buy cheap SIM cards from most shops.

Cope

Llanelli, particularly the town centre, is considered "rough" by some. Travellers shouldn't worry much about this, but you should still take sensible precautions. The UK's national emergency number is 999.

Go next

• The Millennium Coastal Path - a path that runs along the 21 km of coastline from Loughor to Pembrey. It offers panoramic views of the Gower Peninsula and traffic-free cycling opportunities.
• Pembrey Country Park - 2 km² (500 acres) of parkland on the outskirts of the town; it includes the 13-km-long Cefn Sidan Beach. Near Burry Port
• Kidwelly Castle, Kidwelly. (approx. 16 km/10 miles west of Llanelli).
• Burry Port Marina (approx. 8 km/5 miles west of Llanelli).
• National Botanic Garden of Wales (approx. 16 km/10 miles north of Llanelli) near Carmarthen.
• Swansea and the Gower Peninsula - a 30-minute drive.

Routes through Llanelli

Carmarthen ← merges with ←	W  E	→ Swansea → Cardiff
Burry Port ← Kidwelly ←	W  E	→ Port Talbot → Swansea