Historic Sites
Steeped in history, lots to see and do!
Blaenllynant itself has a rich history and was the birth home of Sir John Williams (1840-1926), physician to Queen Victoria. Sir John was raised to the baronetcy by her in 1894. Sir Johns’ passion for books was instrumental in the National Library of Wales being located in Aberystwyth as opposed to Cardiff after a bitter fight. The offering of Sir Johns’ own personal collection of 25,000 volumes along with a contribution of £20,000 to build and establish the library was enough to swing the decision in favour of Aberystwyth.Sir John Williams In 1907 Sir John was appointed first President of the National Library and after moving to Aberystwyth in 1909 he was later made President of the University College of Wales Aberystwyth. As founder and first president of the library upon his death Sir John bequeathed to the library the remainder of his collection and a large sum of money.
Dinefwr Castle was the principal stronghold of the princes of Deheubarth. It was held by the Lord Rhys in the twelfth century and later taken by King Edward the 1st. The castle is in the care of Cadw but lies within Dinefwr Park, which is owned by the National Trust. Visitors who wish to see the castle and are driving there, may pay admission for the car park, if not National Trust members. A separate fee is payable if you wish to visit Newton House, built in 1660, but now with a Victorian façade and a fountain garden. Alternatively, access to the castle is free to walkers from Llandeilo town nearby, and there is a small free car park nearby.
Telephone: 01558 823902
Llandeilo, Carms, SA19 6RT
The small 19th century hilltop town of Llandeilo, with its large span, stone-built river bridge, is well worth a visit. Steeped in history the church in Llandeilo is on the site of the Holy Well and an earlier 6th century church where the Lichfield Gospels originated. The church is dedicated to St Teilo, a contemporary of St David the patron saint of Wales, and Llandeilo itself was named after the saint with the Welsh word “llan” signifying a religious enclosure, normally one dedicated to a particular saint (this corresponds today to ‘church of’). Today the town is bustling with a host of wonderful independent boutiques and several excellent eateries.
A former monastery of the Premonstratensians, founded in the 12th century, Talley Abbey lies in the River Cothi valley and access to the site is free. There are two lakes near the abbey ruins, which were originally used for fish farming to support the community of monks. The abbey was dissolved by Henry the 8th and the structure mined by the villagers for stone to build much of the present village and the chapel next to the abbey. The ruinous tower is surrounded by steep wooded hills, and it can be reached by a circuitous lane from the main road.
Telephone: 01443 336000
Talley, Carms, SA19 7AX
Y Garn Goch is notable for the two impressive Iron Age hill forts of Y Gaer Fawr (the big fort) and Y Gaer Fach (the little fort), together the largest in South Wales. There is evidence at Garn Goch of occupation, possibly from Neolithic times through to the medieval period, though not necessarily of a continuous nature. Bronze Age burial mounds are a significant feature of the site.
Situated on the outskirts of Bethlehem in the Brecon Beacons National Park.
Built on a hilltop near Llanarthney by Sir William Paxton, the 36ft high tower was erected in honour of Lord Nelson. Paxton’s Tower provides excellent views of the Towy valley and is under the care of the National Trust for Places of Historic Interest or Natural Beauty. We would recommend combining a visit to the tower with the National Botanic Garden of Wales.
Llanarthney, Carms, SA32 8HX
Dryslwyn was built in the 1220s by the princes of Deheubarth and along with its neighbouring castle, Dinefwr, was considered central to the security of the kingdom. The castle was taken by the forces of King Edward 1st in 1287 and later seized by Owain Glyndwr in 1403. The castle appears to have been demolished in the early 15th Century in an attempt to stop Welsh rebels using it.
Telephone: 01443 336000
Dryslwyn, Carms, SA32 8RW
There are few castles that can boast a more spectacular location than Carreg Cennen. Its ruins crown a precipitous limestone crag at the south west corner of the Brecon Beacons National Park. The castle, tea rooms and craft shop are open 364 days a year and Carreg Cennen is one of the few remaining privately owned castles in Wales. Carreg Cennen Castle can be seen from Blaenllynant and The Longhouse.
Telephone: 01558 822291
Trap, Llandeilo, Carms, SA19 6UA
The time worn remains of this 13th century castle are set on a picturesque, grassy site overlooking a loop on the River Teifi. Mentioned in The Chronicles of the Princes in 1215 when it was seized by Llewellyn the Great the castle was recaptured by English forces in 1288 and later by Owain Glyndwr in 1403.
Telephone: 01443 336000
Newcastle Emlyn, Carms, SA38 9AF
The present remains of the castle include work from about 1200 to about 1476. Created as a defence against the Welsh, the castle fell to the Welsh several times in the twelfth century. Later in its history it was unsuccessfully besieged by forces of Owain Glyndwr in 1403, with assistance from soldiers from France and Brittany, who captured Kidwelly town. The castle was relieved by a Norman army after just three weeks and though the gatehouse was extensively damaged it was rebuilt on the instructions of King Henry 5th. The impressive remains of this 12th century castle were used when filming Monty Pythons The Holy Grail.
Telephone: 01554 890104
Kidwelly, Carms, SA17 5BQ
Established in 1116 Laugharne was finally right as a romantic ruin during the 18th century, with the outer ward being laid with formal gardens at the turn of the 19th century. The gazebo overlooking the estuary was used in the 1930s and 1940s by the author Richard Hughes, who leased Castle House during this period. The dramatic scenery is also said to have inspired Dylan Thomas who wrote, in the garden gazebo overlooking the river, his ‘Portrait of the artist as a young dog’.
Telephone: 01443 336000
Laugharne, Carms, SA33 4SA
This magnificent garden is both a visitor attraction and a centre for botanical research and conservation. It features the world’s largest single-span glasshouse measuring 110 metres long by 60 metres wide. The gardens lay on land that was once a splendid regency water park, commissioned by Sir William Paxton in the late 18th century, and many of the original features have now been restored.
Telephone: 01558 668768
Llanarthne, Carms, SA32 8HG
One of the finest gardens in Wales, Aberglasney was abandoned for 50 years with the house and garden falling into ruin. The restoration of Aberglasney is one of the country’s most remarkable garden projects and today visitors can explore the ancient formal gardens with its pools, parapets and cloisters before taking in the surrounding gardens at their leisure.
Telephone: 01558 668998
Llangathen, Carmarthenshire, SA32 8QH
The “Golden Grove” (English translation) benefits from superb views across the Towy valley and the impressive mansion house was once home to the Vaughan and Cawdor families. There are a wide range of attractions for visitors young and old.
Telephone: 01558 668885
Llandeilo, Carms, SA32 8LR
Attractions
Interest and fun for everyone!
Free admission and open all year at Heatherton you only pay when you play. Activities on offer are many and varied including the baseball range, 18 hole golf course, crazy golf, archery, laser clay pigeon shooting, karting, paintball and the treetops adventure trail.
Telephone: 01646 652000
St Florence, Tenby, Pembs, SA70 8RJ
Myddfai Community Hall and Visitor Centre Is an energy efficient facility in the heart of the picturesque village of Myddfai, three miles from Llandovery in Carmarthenshire, surrounded by the beautiful scenery of the Brecon Beacons National Park.
This fabulous new Centre is recognised as one of the most stunning and well equipped venues in the area. It was designed and built with funding from the Big Lottery Village SOS Scheme and supported by a wide range of other funders. The story of the Myddfai project and build was followed by the BBC as part of the ‘Village SOS’ series with presenter Sarah Beeny and was shown on BBC One in August 2011. The Centre was officially opened in June 2011 by Their Royal Highnesses Prince Charles and The Duchess of Cornwall. This Centre is designed as a hub for the local community and its state-of-the-art facilities make it an ideal venue for weddings, parties, conferences and exhibitions, set in a superb rural location. It has under-floor heating, run through a ground-source heat pump; solar PV panels, along with high specification insulation making it a very energy efficient building.
Myddfai is a popular tourist destination on the Western edge of the beautiful Brecon Beacons, famous for the history and heritage of the Physicians of Myddfai and the Legend of ‘The Lady of The Lake’. Myddfai provides a central location to visit a wide range of interesting places. The surrounding area of Myddfai offers many places to visit and activities such as the finest gardens in Wales, The Heart of Wales Railway, castles and much more!
Visitors to the centre will always find a warm local welcome from the friendly volunteers who work in the shop and cafe. Your interest and support will help this small community to flourish and develop its founding principles of providing sustainability and profit for the economic and social benefit of a rural community.
The mission of the Myddfai Charity and its Social Enterprise, Myddfai Ty Talcen Limited, alongside sister company Myddfai Trading Company Limited is to support and develop community involvement and economic regeneration within Myddfai and the surrounding areas.
Telephone: 01550 720449 or 07879 119223
Email: [email protected]
Myddfai Community & Visitor Centre, Myddfai,Llandovery, Carmarthenshire, SA20 0JD
Dylan Thomas was one of the greatest writers from Wales and a giant in the 20th century. Dylan Thomas was born in Swansea but his family roots were in Carmarthenshire and it was this county that provided him with a constant source of inspiration. He lived at the Boathouse for the last four years of his life during which time many major pieces of work were written – including Under Milk Wood.
Telephone: 01994 427420
Dylan’s Walk, Laugharne, SA33 4SD
Take a step back in time along the Gwili Railway system!
Having arrived at Bronwydd Arms Station and purchased your ticket from the Booking Office situated on the platform, you can then join the train for your trip to Danycoed Halt. A round trip will take approximately one hour, but you can travel on the train all day if you wish for the price of your ticket.
Telephone: 01267 238213
Bronwydd Arms Station, Carms, SA33 6HT
Glynhir Golf Club is an established parkland course, where a warm welcome is always assured. Glynhir has a testing 5,342 yard, par 71, 18 hole course; and a 5 hole par 3 course for beginners or practicing the short game!
Telephone: 01269 851365
Glynhir Rd, Llandybie, Ammanford, SA18 2TF
Take your chance to turn prospector, panning for gold in the only known Roman gold mine in Britain. Don a miner’s lamp and explore the underground workings of the mines on a guided tour.
Telephone: 01558 650177
Pumpsaint, Llanwrda, Carms, SA19 8US
Immerse yourself in a world of chocolate. Smell, taste, drink, see, listen to, touch and absorb the full flavours of fine chocolate at our award winning chocolate farm in the heart of the Welsh countryside!
On our Chocolate Tour you are shown how a variety of chocolates are made. You can experience the chocolate in its simplest forms, from the raw ingredients through to the techniques we use to decorate our chocolates. All ages are invited to have a go and experience chocolate on a whole new level!
Telephone: 01994 448800
Llanboidy, Carms, SA34 0EX
Winner of the National Tourism Awards Wales Best Family Day Out, Folly Farm is a great day out for families with younger children. There is much to see and do and the staffs are extremely friendly and helpful.
Telephone: 01834 812731
Begelly, Kilgetty, Pembs, SA68 0XA
Voted “Best Family Day Out in Wales” Oakwood has plenty to see and do for kids young and old!
Telephone: 01834 891376
Canaston Bridge, Narberth, Tenby, Pembs, SA67 8DE
Cenarth Adventure Centre is the ideal place to play paintball and Laser Combat in Wales. Other activities also include Off-road Remote Control Buggies, Archery, Woodland Challenge, Paintball Range and Creative Crafts.
Telephone: 01559 371621
Allt Y Gelli, Cenarth, Newcastle Emlyn, Carms, SA38 9JL
Wales’ best kept secret for 315 million years! As well as the showcaves, there is the dinosaur park, Shire horse centre, the superb adventure playground and the Jurassic karting track.
Telephone: 01639 730801
Sat Nav SA9 1GJ
This magnificent garden is both a visitor attraction and a centre for botanical research and conservation. It features the world’s largest single-span glasshouse measuring 110 metres long by 60 metres wide. The gardens lay on land that was once a splendid regency water park, commissioned by Sir William Paxton in the late 18th century, and many of the original features have now been restored.
Telephone: 01558 668768
Llanarthne, Carms, SA32 8HG
Llanddeusant Red Kite Feeding Station was opened in the summer of 2002 by a local partnership with support from the Brecon Beacons National Park, the Welsh Red Kite Trust and various other notable wildlife organisations and individuals. The centre is designed to fit naturally into the landscape and to provide bird lovers the ideal opportunity to witness Red Kites, Buzzards and other birds feeding.
Visitors may sit in the specially built hide only feet away from diving birds and observe them competing naturally for the meat provided by the feeding centre at regular times throughout the year.
Usually around 50+ birds may be seen gathering before the feed, soaring high into the sky until they start diving onto their food. In addition to Kites, Buzzards and Ravens may also join the fun!
Feeding times:End of March – End of October (summer feed) 3.00pm
End of October – End of March (winter feed) 2.00pm
Telephone: 01550 740617
Red Kite (formerly The Cross Inn), Llanddeusant, SA19 9YG
Adrenaline packed quad biking and paintball action whatever the weather set in stunning natural woodland. Minimum age 12, please call ahead to avoid disappointment.
Telephone: 01269 592734
Sat Nav SA18 3RH
