Carmarthenshire.
People have a tendency to hurtle through Carmarthenshire on their way to
Pembrokeshire, but you should think about slowing down and taking time to visit
this quiet and little-known corner of
West Wales.
The estuaries of three of the Principality's main rivers are to be found here.
The Tywi, the Taf and the Loughor emerge from the green hills and mountains of
inland Wales to pour into Carmarthen Bay. There's good sailing, canoeing and
kayaking to be had on their waters.
Traditional fishing villages like Ferryside and Llansteffan cling to the shores
of the Taf and the Towy, but perhaps the most famous spot of all is Laugharne,
the home of Dylan Thomas and the inspiration for Under Milk Wood. The Loughor
is an important habitat for migratory birds.
And if it's beaches you're looking for, Carmarthenshire has two of the finest
and biggest in Britain. Cefn Sidan and Pembrey are both huge, eight-mile long
swathes of beautiful golden sands with great views to the Gower Peninsula in
the east and the limestone sea cliffs of Pembrokeshire to the west. On a clear
day you should be able to make out Lundy Island in the Bristol Channel and the
coast of SW England.
Inland a bucolic landscape of emerald green fields and hedgerows rolls up to
pine draped hillsides. If you have a mountain bike take it up to Brechfa Forest
near Carmarthen. Here you'll escape the crowds on some great trails which wend
their way up to ridges and summits with inspiring views across some of the
quietest landscapes in Wales. The riding here is perfect for more independently
minded bikers who may not want all the paraphernalia of purpose-built mountain
bike centres.
Explore Carmarthenshire in more detail at
www.visitcarmarthenshire.co.uk