Carmarthenshire

In the north east of the County at Pumsaint is Dolaucothi Gold Mines, a Roman gold mine set in the wooded hillside, overlooking the lovely Cothi Valley. There are guided tours of the underground workings, gold panning, exhibitions on gold and mining history and working trains on the mine floor. 

At the north west of Carmarthenshire on the River Teifi is Newcastle Emlyn with its ruined castle. The river is famous for world-class fishing of sea trout, salmon and brown trout, the town is a popular base for fishermen. To the west at the beautiful Cenarth Falls is the National Coracle Centre, where coracles are made in the workshop. The Teifi Valley Railway, created from a branch line of the Great Western Railway offers a two mile journey through the beautiful Teifi Valley, a chance to enjoy the age of steam. Four miles east of the town the National Woollen Museum tells the story of the woollen industry of Wales, with demonstrations of spinning, weaving and displays of traditional Welsh textiles.

At Whitland in the west of Carmarthenshire is another of the Counties remarkable gardens, Hywel Dda Gardens and Interpretive Centre, commemorates Hywel ap Cadell, 'King of all Wales' in the ninth and early tenth centuries. The only garden in Europe dedicated to the law, the memorial is divided into six small gardens, each representing a section of the law.

The seven mile beach at Pendine Sands in the south west of Carmarthenshire is famous for land speed records, where Malcolm Campbell broke three records. Visit the Pendine Museum of Speed, to see some of the record-breaking vehicles. To the north is Laugharne, with its picturesque castle, overlooking the Taf Estuary. Laugharne was the home of the poet Dylan Thomas, the Boat House where he wrote "Under Milk Wood" is open to the public. To the north is Llansteffan Castle built by the Normans, near the site of an earlier Iron Age hill fort.

Across the estuary on the eastern side of Carmarthen bay is picturesque town Kidwelly with Kidwelly Castle, one of the best preserved medieval castles in the County. Kidwelly Industrial Museum interprets the former industries of Carmarthenshire, tinplate, coal mining and brick manufacture.

To the south is Pembrey Country Park, encompassing Pembrey Forest and the seven mile beach at Cefn Sidan Sands. A superb award winning beach providing the main attraction for visitors but there are a host of family attractions in the adjoining 500 acres of glorious parkland including dry ski slops, tobogganing, pitch and putt, crazy gold and an adventure play ground. Eight miles to the east is Llanelli , an attractive town, situated at the mouth of the River Loughor. The Llanelli Millennium Coastal Park is the largest land reclamation scheme undertaken in Wales, over 2000 acres of industrial wasteland have been restored to create a coastal path and cycleway between Pembrey Country Park and the National Wetland Centre.