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. 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
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