Often referred to as the Garden of Wales, the county of Carmarthenshire offers visitors breath-taking views of its mountain ranges, historic and wildlife laden forests, combined with an expansive coastline with beaches and seaside resorts. The county is one of the oldest in existence and this is evidenced in its many castles and historical attractions, giving Carmarthenshire a unique combination of heritage and natural beauty spots. Read more
Everything about this charming cottage will help you relax, from its open-plan living room with a log burner to the spacious deck built over a stream and the village location within walking distance of the beach and the pub. Heddfan Cottage is in Llansteffan in the Tywi Valley which overlooks beautiful Carmarthen Bay. It is convenient for beaches, museums and other attractions that include the National Botanic Gardens, Oakwood and Folly Farm. Carmarthen is only eight miles away with an excellent choice of shops, cafes and other amenities. The cottage can sleep up to four people in two rooms so is perfect for couples and small families, and is also dog-friendly.
A self-catering holiday cottage nestling in a beautiful tranquil valley on an organic dairy farm in West Wales. Enjoy a slice of country life in this haven for wildlife with lovely walks and plenty of peace and quiet. Centrally located Penyrallt Fach Cottage is ideal for relaxing or visiting the beaches, mountains and numerous attractions of Wales with Pembrokeshire, Cardigan Bay, Carmarthenshire and St David's all within driving distance for a day trip out.
Retreat from the stress of daily life at this beautiful retreat in the Carmarthenshire countryside. Y Bwthyn is a charming stone cottage on the owner's smallholding in Blaenwaun, within walking distance of the local pub. It sleeps four guests in two bedrooms, with visitors enjoying luxuries like underfloor heating, hotel-quality linen, and a private outdoor hot tub where they can soak under the stars. Carmarthen, Cardigan Bay beaches, and the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park are all within a few miles. There is a wealth of attractions, including gardens and castles, all within easy reach. Take your partner, your family or your friends and unwind in these stunning surroundings.
The perfect coastal holiday retreat for two in the picturesque Welsh village of Llansteffan, sitting on the sandy shores of the Tywi Estuary. Special both in terms of its romantic charm and character and the stunning location, this hidden gem is a must for anyone who wants to getaway from it all, relax, walk and enjoy sea air. Two pubs within walking distance and fabulous coastal and estuary walks on the doorstep.
You'll fall in love with Felindre Mill at first sight. This former grain mill has been transformed into a stylish holiday home sleeping eight people in four luxurious ensuite bedrooms, with seven acres of grounds that include meadows, a stream and an outdoor hot tub. The setting is idyllic, yet you are just a mile from the Pen y Bont Inn in Llanfynydd and within easy reach of Llandeilo and Carmarthen. The Brecon Beacons National Park, Brechfa Forest, and the Gower, Pembrokeshire and Carmarthen Bay beaches are less than an hour away. Felindre Mill is ideal for big families, extended families, and friends.
In an elevated position in beautiful Welsh countryside near Carmarthen in the Towy Valley, this spacious self-catering holiday lodge is perfect for large families or groups, and is ideal for outdoor enthusiasts (great walking, cycling, fishing and birdwatching). It is also a good base for exploring the many attractions of Wales including Brechfa Forest with its superb mountain bike trails, and the Brecon Beacons National Park. Tourist board rating: 5 Star
Beautifully presented and full of charm, this welcoming Welsh cottage dates back to the 15th century and enjoys a beautiful quiet location close to the town of Carmarthen in the picturesque Towy Valley. Lots of attractions close by including the National Botanical Garden of Wales, Oakwood Theme Park and the medieval house and gardens of Aberglasney. The coast and Brecon Beacons National Park are also within easy reach by car, and there are an abundance of outdoor adventures to enjoy on the doorstep. Tourist board rating: 5 Star
Gellideg Cottage is in the charming hamlet of Cwmhiraeth, within easy reach of Cardigan and beautiful beaches like Mwnt and Llangrannog. The two-bedroom Victorian holiday home has two bathrooms and sleeps four people, with guests enjoying 5-Star touches and a private garden with far-reaching views over the Teifi Valley. It's perfect for families or couples, no matter how active or restful you like your holidays to be. Walking, river canoeing, dolphin spotting and great food are all on the itinerary, as are top attractions like Folly Farm and the National Wool Museum. Tourist board rating: 5 Star
Big families and groups of friends love The Old Cowshed, with many of them returning year after year to enjoy the high standard of accommodation and fantastic location. The former barn dates from 1864 and boasts thick stone walls and original beams together with modern luxuries and seven ensuite bedrooms that sleep up to 16 people. Carmarthen Bay is about 500 metres away, while the nearest pub is about a mile from the door. The Gower and Pembrokeshire are both within easy reach as are favourite attractions such as Oakwood Theme Park, the National Botanic Garden of Wales, and Folly Farm.
Escape to the beauty of the Carmarthenshire coast in this charming stone cottage that is only 500 meters from Carmarthen Bay and estuary. There are beautiful walks and bike rides from the door, and the area is also a favourite for bird watching. The Gower Peninsula AONB and places like Rhossili Bay and the Mumbles are within easy reach, as are Tenby, Folly Farm, Oakwood and Narbeth. Carmarthen and Llanelli are both under half an hour's drive away, while Kidwelly is only three miles with an impressive Norman castle and Wales' oldest canal. Accommodation at Ty Llo is all on ground floor level and guests have the luxury of a hot tub. It sleeps up to six people in two bedrooms and is perfect for couples, families or friends.
Coal House is ideal for couples, families or friends as it easily sleeps between two and six people in two rooms with a sofabed (plus hot tub!). It's in a fantastic coastal location on the family-run Tanylan Farm, a few minutes stroll from Carmarthen Bay and about a mile from St Ishmael beach and village. Not only is the bay and estuary on the doorstep but the holiday cottage is also perfect for exploring Pembrokeshire and the Gower Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Tenby, Swansea and Mumbles are easily reachable in under an hour, as are places like Brechfa Forest and the western part of the Brecon Beacons National Park. There is so much to see and do that you'll be able to plan a wonderful stay no matter what season you are visiting.
Wrth y Nant is the smallest of six lovely self-catering properties on Tanylan Farm, with its size appealing to couples and small families. The two-bedroom cottage is part of a 16th-century longhouse, which has accommodation over two levels and an enclosed patio garden with a hot tub. You can walk to the South West Coast Path and the shore of Carmarthen Bay in minutes, and excellent walks and cycling routes lead from the door. Carmarthenshire is waiting for you to discover its castles, market towns and unforgettable views. With the Gower Peninsula and Pembrokeshire both within easy reach, you can enjoy a holiday at Wrth y Nant at any time of the year.
The window that once lured ships to their doom now frames stunning views of Carmarthen Bay in the master bedroom of Bryntowy. The detached stone self-catering cottage is on a privately owned family farm, about 500 metres from the water and a mile from St Ishmael's beach and village. Ferryside, Kidwelly and Carmarthen are all within just a few miles of this charming property, which sleeps up to six people in three bedrooms and is ideal for families. The location is perfect for a relaxing holiday exploring not only Carmarthenshire but also Pembrokeshire and the Gower.
What's not to love about this charming stone holiday cottage which has been carefully created from a 16th Century longhouse? The three-bedroom cottage sleeps up to six people and is just 500 metres from the coast of Carmarthen Bay and the West Coast Footpath. St Ishmael's beach and village pub are about a mile away, and there are countless miles of footpaths, bridleways and cycling routes within easy reach. Kidwelly and Carmarthen are within a short drive, while places like Rhossili Bay, Mumbles, Oakwood Theme Park and Folly Farm are all within easy reach. The space and layout of Hawton make it perfect for families and friends.
How can you resist a glamping experience like this! The owners of the Ceridwen Centre have lovingly converted a vintage, 1964 Leyland double-decker bus into a unique self-catering holiday experience that has space for four people (or up to six by arrangement with some reconfiguration of the downstairs area). The Ceridwen Centre is a mile from Drefach Felindre and the Tafarn John y Gwas pub, although you don't have to go that far for a drink or a cooked meal, as the site has excellent facilities. A great choice for those looking for a little fun, walking, cycling, fishing and exploring this beautiful part of Wales.
The owners of the Ceridwen Centre live the "reduce, reuse, recycle" ethos on their organic farm in the beautiful Teifi Valley in Mid-Wales, having transformed an ordinary static caravan into a wood-and-corrugated-tin cottage with a deep verandah and space for up to five people to sleep in two double bedrooms. It is one of a collection of self-catering properties with 40-private acres that include a wood-fired hot tub (hired on a first come first served basis), woodland walks, mountain bike centre and a shop selling homemade meals and fresh vegetables. The venue is perfect for everything from a solo retreat to a fun-filled family reunion or celebration for up to 60 people.
Ty Log ("Log House", in Welsh) is a contemporary log cabin in a peaceful location with fantastic views and accessible accommodation for up to four guests in two bedrooms. It is part of a former working farm and guests have access to six acres of landscaped grounds which include ponds and a sensory garden. The cabin is less than two miles from Llangain and the Tafarn Pantydderwen pub, four miles from the coast at Llansteffan and only five miles from the ancient town of Carmarthen. The Gower, Pembrokeshire Coast and Brecon Beacons National Park are all within an hour's drive. Tourist board rating: 5 Star
The owners of Bwthyn Creigiau have turned a former Georgian piggery into a beautiful holiday cottage that sleeps six people in three bedrooms. Original beams and stone walls have been brought into the 21st-century with triple glazing and underfloor heating, and the family have used their experience to create a space that feels like home but which is accessible and wheelchair-friendly. The self-catering cottage is just outside the village of Llangain and a short drive from both historical Carmarthen and the Twyi Estuary and beaches, with the Gower and Pembrokeshire also accessible for a day out. Tourist board rating: 5 Star
If you dream of breathing in fresh country air, walking on the beach and exploring sites both ancient and beautiful, a holiday at Pencwm Farmhouse could be precisely what you are looking for. The traditional Welsh farmhouse has been sympathetically modernised to make it comfortable without losing any of its unique charms. It sits on 14 acres with views of the nearby Preseli Hills, and is within easy reach of the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park and gorgeous beaches like Mwnt, Poppit Sands, Aberporth and Tresaith. With space for up to 12 people and two dogs, and the option to hook up a towing caravan or pitch a tent for others to join you, Pencwm Farmhouse is ideal for large families or groups of friends.
With miles of footpaths, mountain bike trails and sweeping country roads perfect for biking or touring, exploring the area around The Byre is a pleasure. This dog-friendly holiday cottage sleeps four guests in three bedrooms and is perfect for couples and families who want somewhere peaceful and comfortable to stay in Mid-Wales. The cottage is close to the Brecon Beacons National Park and within easy reach of Swansea, The Gower and the West Wales coast, yet only five miles from the market town of Llandovery. Tourist board rating: 4 Star
Popular towns in and around Carmarthenshire:
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For literary fans, the county has played an important role in 20th century poetry as it was home to Dylan Thomas who penned numerous poems in addition to screenplays in his short life. The poet often referred to the county as his inspiration for much of his work and for a time he lived in a small boathouse overlooking Carmarthen Bay.
Although the area is often associated with its beautiful rural landscapes, there are numerous beaches on its coastline too. Pendine beach is perhaps the most dramatic in the county and to the west you can view ragged cliffs and rock pools overlooking the water below, whilst the east is characterised by long stretches of sand and dunes. In fact, the beach was used as preparation for D-Day as parts of its makeup resembled Normandy. Carmarthenshire retains a healthy active and outdoor lifestyle and for enthusiasts of the great outdoors then it is one of the best places in Wales to visit. You can mountain bike around the wooded and mystical Brechfa Forest, raft or canoe down its various fast flowing rivers, horse ride along its windswept beaches and fish along its coast.
For nature lovers the country really is one of the most attractive around. The Brecon Beacons National Park extends into its borders and offers numerous trekking and relaxed walking routes. From deep gorges, rugged carboniferous limestone and hidden caves, the park is full of surprises and natural wonders.
Some of the oldest castles in the whole of the UK and Europe can be found in the county. Carreg Cennen Castle features an underground passageway and spooky caverns, whilst the whole area is steeped in Arthurian legend. Carmarthenshire Museum is set in a 13th century house in Abergwili and features relics and information from throughout the county’s history, including a section of tree rumoured to be associated with the mythical Merlin.
Carmarthenshire also has its own culinary significance. Sewin, salt marsh lamb, laverbread (made from seaweed) and Carmarthen Ham are all specialities of the area and should definitely be tried in some of its numerous old age pubs and restaurants.
The county of Carmarthenshire manages to include a diverse range of different activities and interests within its borders. It is one of the most beautiful places in Wales and has inspired many people in numerous walks of life. For outdoor enthusiasts then you can find countless activities set amongst the stunning landscapes and the county has a deep sense of history with its castles and links to the mystical Middle Ages. From long stretches of coastline to rolling valleys, Carmarthenshire can boast to offering something for all tastes in the south of Wales.
