Get Active in Carmarthenshire

One of the best ways to enjoy your time in Carmarthenshire is to get active!

 

Mountain Biking

Carmarthenshire has some of the best mountain biking in the UK. The best place is Brechfa Forest which boasts some fantastic mountain biking facilities. Much like a ski resort, there are routes to suit any ability. With a choice of green, blue, red and black routes, you are sure to find something suitable for your group.

Water Sports

Whether you want to have a go at sailing, canoeing or rowing, Carmarthenshire has the rivers and facilities to keep you busy for days. The Tywi Boat club is the perfect place to get out on the water. Perched right at the head of the Tywi estuary, the boat club is perfect for sailing or rowing. Whether you are a beginner or an experienced sailor, this RYA accredited centre will make sure you to get the most from your time on the water. The Tywi boat club is also one of the few centres qualified to deliver sailing tuition to disabled sailors.

Horse Riding

With some of the longest beaches in the UK and forests covering hundreds of square miles, it’s no surprise that Carmarthenshire is a great place to go horse riding. There are riding stables all over the county.

If you’d like lessons or the chance to hack through some of the most beautiful scenery in Wales, why not drop into Marros Riding Stables or Hills Farm Holiday Stables.

Walking

Whether you feel like a seaside stroll or a walk up some of the highest mountains in southern Britain, Carmarthenshire has it all.
There are so many beautiful walks all over Carmarthenshire. The only question is how many you can fit in!
Waterfalls, beaches, cliff tops or mountains? It’s all here, you’ve just got to choose.

Some of the most spectacular walks in the county are in the Brecon Beacons National Park. The park includes some of the most dramatic scenery in England and Wales. Though it is shared with our neighbouring county, Powys, no visit to Carmarthenshire is complete without visiting these wonderful mountains.

Fishing

If you are interested in fishing, Carmarthenshire is heaven. On the miles of clean, deserted beaches you can catch prawns or mussels from rock pools or try your luck casting a line from the shore. To anyone into angling, Carmarthenshire’s rivers should need no introduction. The Cothi, Tywi and Teifi are all rich with sewin (sea trout) and salmon. They all offer a peaceful and inspiring setting to while away the day. For more information visit our guide to Fishing in Carmarthenshire.
Discover...

• ADVENTURE ACTIVITIES
• CYCLING
• FISHING
• GOLF
• SKIING
• WALKING
• WALES COAST PATH

 

 

 

Our favourite snowdrop walks in Carmarthenshire

Snowdrops are the first bulbs to bloom and show signs of life after the winter months, flowering between January and March. Creating carpets of white, these delicate plants are a reminder that spring will soon be on its way. According to a legend, if you listen really carefully, you can hear the ringing of the bells - they ring together to wake up sleeping nature.

You’ll find beautiful snowdrop displays in woodlands and on river banks and they’re a much-loved sight in gardens too. To help you spot them we’ve chosen some of our best places for snowdrops in Carmarthenshire.

Carmarthenshire has great nature reserves and at this time of year they are bursting back to life with spring leaves, and fantastic shows of snowdrops and other wild flowers such the elusive Crocus. You’ll also spot animals and birds, and it’s always worth keeping an eye out for the red kite overhead with its easily spotted forked tail. Visit the reserves to take in the sights and smells, they are great places for a walk with the children, romantic walks and even your dog will love it! Why not make an afternoon of it and call in one of the fantastic and varied restaurants or pubs for a well deserved meal after your walk.

Dinas Nature Reserve Rhandirmwyn, near Llandovery
 
Take a relaxing walk along way-marked paths through wet and oak woodlands to the fast-flowing River Tywi, circle the mountain, and visit Twm Sion Cati’s cave (a local Robin Hood character). The woods are one of the best in Carmarthenshire for snowdrops. You can spot Red Kites as they circle above looking for prey (they have forked tails) as well as many other birds and animals. Great views are seen from the walk as the river Tywi crashes through the valley. Why not call in "The Old Oak " in Rhandirmwyn in the village for great food. The reserve has a RSPB car park, and interpretation boards with visitor information, a £1 donation for parking can be put in the honesty box. Grid Ref SN787470. For Further information contact Carmarthen TIC on 01267 231557.

Stay - www.newwhitelion.com/

Castle Woods at Dinefwr Park and Castle, near Llandeilo

This well known reserve is made up of ancient mixed and oak woodland with one of the best spots for viewing Snowdrops in the county. Recently featured in Red magazine as one of the best in the UK. After you marvel at the snowdrops why not take a walk to the castle for great views over the Tywi Valley. Why not call in the tearoom at Newton house for homemade cakes and a cup of tea or even treat yourself to lunch in one of Llandeilo’s fantastic pubs or hotels. Grid Ref SN625221. Parking is at the National Trust’s Dinefwr Park and Castle car park where visitor information and walk leaflets can be found at the reception office. For further information contact Dinefwr Park and Castle on 01558 824512 or see nationaltrust.org.uk or Carmarthen TIC on 01267 231557. Castle Walk

Stay – Cawdor Hotel, Llandeilo  www.thecawdor.com/

Carmel Woods Nature Reserve, Llandybie

Nature reserve built around a massive quarry near Llandybie, is a great best place to see Snowdrops in Carmarthenshire, best seen January to March.! Also at the reserve is the intriguing disappearing turlough lake fed only by underground water - it vanishes in the summer! Above you’ll spot Red Kites circling for prey, (they’re the ones with forked tails) as well as many other species of birds and animals. Early Primroses (Primula vulgaris) and Lesser Celandines (Ranunculus ficaria) light up the path edges from the end of February, and the birdsong is an absolute joy. This reserve is home to many kinds of woodland birds, and the turlough is a welcome refuge for wildfowl during the winter months. A car park can be seen off the A476, near SA14 7TL or near the village of Pentregwenlais near Llandybie. Grid Ref SN589161. For Further information contact Carmarthen TIC on 01267 231557.

Stay - www.theglynhirestate.com/

Green Castle Woods, near Carmarthen

Visit these mixed oak woods, with rich wildflower meadows and wetland areas and wander along the way marked trails through the wood. Between January and March swathes of Snowdrops and other wildflowers may be seen carpeting the woodland floor. Great views towards Carmarthen, the Tywi Valley, and towards Ferryside across the estuary. The new All Wales Coast Path passes through the reserve. Grid Ref SN391167. A free visitor car park and information boards are located off the B4312 between Carmarthen and Llansteffan. For Further information contact Carmarthen TIC on 01267 231557.

Stay - Tan y Lan Fach Cottages, Llangain www.tanylanwelshcottage.co.uk 

Crychan Forest, near Llandovery

Nestled between the Brecon Beacons and the Cambrian Mountains in the north of Carmarthenshire, Crychan Forest offers miles of way marked trails along grassy tracks and forest roads. From January to March sees the forest floor carpeted by thousands of stunning snowdrops. Wildlife includes many species such as badgers, foxes, roe deer, goshawks, buzzards, and the graceful red kite. The forest is served by ample car parking at four sites and welcomes walkers, cyclists and horse riders, on its various family friendly way-marked trails. The reserve is located to the North East of Llandovery on the A483. Grid Ref SN848410. Further information contact Carmarthen TIC on 01267 231557.  

Stay – Castle Hotel, Llandovery www.castle-hotel-llandovery.co.uk/

Cwm Rhaeadr, Cilycwm Woods, near Llandovery

Located in the Tywi valley north of Llandovery, Cwm Rhaeadr forest has great displays of snowdrops and other flowers under the forest canopy. The waymarked trails take you through the best bits of the forest, through massive trees and along bright glades. Walkers who follow the Waterfall walk will gain glimpses of the waterfall through the trees as they are taken along valley sides as they are taken into the further reaches of the forest. There is even an accessible walk giving access to the forest for all abilities including wheelchair users. Adrenalin junkies may like to try the challenging red graded mountain bike course describes by MBR magazine as "one of the best trails........ anywhere in the UK". The forest is well placed for the visitor with great food at the Neuadd Fawr Inn in Cilycwm and numerous establishments just south down the road in Llandovery, or to the North in Rhandirmwyn! Grid ref: SN765422. Leaflets detailing the various trails are available from Carmarthen Tourist Information Centre. The forest has a visitors car park with interpretation boards just through the village of Cilycwm. For further information contact Carmarthen TIC on 01267 231557.

Stay - www.cynghordyestate.com/

 
 
Snowdrop Day at the National Botanic Garden of Wales

Everybody’s favourite spring flower is the centre of attention for a special day at the National Botanic Garden of Wales on Saturday January 31 – and it’s FREE.

Galanthus is a much-loved harbinger of spring and here at the Garden there is a mile of snowdrops to explore but Snowdrop Day is so much more than walk in the park. There will be talks, trails, a book signing, family activities and a demonstration on how to grow and care for snowdrops as well as tips on incorporating them into your garden design.

Award-winning horticultural writer and much-garlanded show garden designer Naomi Slade will be on hand to help you out with all you ever wanted to know about snowdrops. Naomi is a frequent radio guest and contributes regularly to many national newspapers and magazines, including The Guardian, The Telegraph, Kitchen Garden Magazine, House and Garden and the official organ of the Royal Horticultural Society: The Garden. Her book The Plant Lover’s Guide to Snowdrops, has just been published by Timber Press and will be available in the Garden gift shop. When she is not talking, leading walks and demonstrating, Naomi will be signing copies of her new book.

As part of the Garden’s FREE January promotion, there is no admission charge for this event.

For more information about this and other events at the Garden, call 01558 667149 or email info@gardenofwales.org.uk

Carmarthenshire Walking Festival

Commonly dubbed the 'Garden of Wales', Carmarthenshire is home to spectacular walking terrain, from dramatic coastal cliffs along the sparkling shores of the Wales Coastal Path, to the lush hidden forests of Brechfa. There are also plenty of ancient pathways to follow, around century-old ruins, revealing the county’s rich and dramatic history. Throughout September there is an extensive timetable of walks taking in both the Countryside and Coast of Carmarthenshire. The walks are suitable for all ages and abilities, so don your walking boots and head outdoors to discover the spectacular walks on offer in the county. For more details of each of the walks follow the link http://www.discovercarmarthenshire.com/walking-festival/index.html