Llandovery (Welsh: Llanymddyfri) is an historic market town in Carmarthenshire, on the edge of the Black Mountain, and on the border between Mid Wales and South Wales.
Get in
[edit]By car
[edit]By bus
[edit]- Direct buses[dead link] from Carmarthen, Builth Wells, Brecon and Lampeter.
By train
[edit]- Llandovery is located on the famous Heart of Wales Line. Trains depart Swansea at 4:36AM, 9:15AM, 1:17PM and 6:21PM, and depart Llandovery for Swansea at 7:48AM, 11:33AM, 4:32PM, 8:37PM. The journey takes around 1 hour 20 minutes.
Get around
[edit]The town is small enough to explore easily on foot.
See
[edit]- 1 Llandovery Castle. The castle ruins are not substantial, but are worth a visit as they are near the centre of the town.
- 2 Llyn Brianne, Rhandirmwyn (12 miles north of the town). A beautiful man-made lake and dam.
- 3 Dolaucothi Gold Mines (in the valley of the River Cothi, near Pumsaint about 10 miles west of Llandovery), ☏ +44 1558 650177. The National Trust organises tours of the mines
- 4 Myddfai Visitor Centre and Community Hall, Myddfai, ☏ +44 1550 720449.
Do
[edit]- Llandovery Theatre. Performances by the charity-run theatre.
- 1 Crychan Forest. Trails for walkers, cyclist, horse riders and carriage drivers. car parking at Esgair Fwyog and a number of other forestry sites
- Llandovery serves as an excellent base for hiking in the Brecon Beacons.
- Rugby Union: Llandovery RFC play in the Welsh Premiership, the amateur game's top tier. They play at Church Bank southwest edge of town.
- Llandovery's annual Sheep Festival: September. Wool crafts, artisan food, Sheep Dog trials, craft courses, live music, dog show, bucking sheep challenge, model railway exhibition, sheep shearing demo, rare breed sheep. (date needs updating)
Buy
[edit]- 1 Dinefwr Craft Centre, The Old Market Hall (in the centre of town). It has a few shops specialising in good quality handicrafts from Wales and places further afield, such as India and Nepal.
Eat
[edit]- The cafe in the old market hall in the centre of town serves wholesome and delicious meals.
- 1 The Castle Hotel restaurant, Kings Road, ☏ +44 1550 720343. 7:30AM-9:30PM. The Castle Hotel is run and owned by a group of restaurateurs rather than hoteliers so it's no surprise that food lies at the heart of the house – the family farm provides 90% of the natural tasting, free range meat and poultry used in the kitchens, supplemented by a loyal and brilliant network of hard-working and passionate local suppliers.
Drink
[edit]- Good coffee and selection of teas at the cafe in the old market hall.
- 1 The Blue Bell, 19 High Street, ☏ +44 1550 721797. Lovely atmosphere and incredible food.
Sleep
[edit]Camping & Caravaning
[edit]- 1 Erwlon Caravan & Camping Park, Brecon Rd., ☏ +44 1550 721021, peter@erwlon.fsnet.co.uk. A family-run park in easy walking distance of Llandovery, excellent facilities. £4-14.50.
Mid-range
[edit]- 2 The Castle Hotel, King's Street, ☏ +44 1550 720343, info@castle-hotel-llandovery.co.uk. A lovely old hotel in the heart of the town. From £65.
Splurge
[edit]- 3 The New White Lion, 43 Stone Street, ☏ +44 1550 720685, info@newwhitelion.co.uk. A six-room hotel in mid-19th century grade II-listed building
Self-catering
[edit]- 4 Bwlch Tre Banau Estate, Porthyrhyd, Llanwrda, ☏ +44 1558 650399, info@walesholidaycottages.com. Three cottages with new interiors and views towards the Brecon Beacons. Ducks, dogs, geese and plenty of room to roam for the kids. From £395 p/w based on four sharing.
Go next
[edit]The following places are all within an hour's drive of the town:
- Carmarthen and Brecon - larger market towns.
- Carreg Cennen Castle - spectacular castle ruins offering views over the Cennen valley towards the brooding Black Mountain near Llandeilo
- The National Botanic Garden of Wales, Middleton near Carmarthen.
- Swansea - beaches, museums/galleries and shopping.
- Trap - a picturesque riverside village (near Carreg Cennen Castle).
| Routes through Llandovery |
| Carmarthen ← Llandeilo ← | W  E |
→ Trecastle → Brecon |