Summer Family Fun in the Garden of Wales / Hwyl yr Haf i’r Teulu yng Ngardd Cymru

Summer Family Fun in the Garden of Wales

Here in Carmarthenshire, we have bucket loads exciting activities and events on offer this summer for families in search of a fun day out; from tackling the rapids on the River Teifi and delicious afternoon teas on board a vintage steam train, to canoe trails through the wetlands and spooky tours of Carmarthen after dark. There will even be the return of the famous Blue Bird to the sands of Pendine, recreating the car’s world famous land speed record break in 1925!

Check out some of the activities on offer throughout July and August below, with more details and accommodation available to view at www.discovercarmarthenshire.com/whats-on

Explore Carmarthenshire’s Sinister Past on a Creepy Carmarthen Tour- Carmarthen

Embark on a trip back in time through Carmarthen's creepy past on a spooky evening tour through the country’s oldest town, suitable for all ages. Meet “murderers” and their victims (not real ones, promise); visit the sites of grisly executions; uncover secrets from bygone days and visit the haunted streets of the ancient town on the lookout for ghosts with the help of your guide- the spooky Dr Grimoire. There’s even a peek inside the town’s original Victorian Police Station, the setting for dozens of overnight "ghost watches", and plenty of magical twists.  

Details: Tours run from Carmarthen Guildhall every Wednesday at 7pm from July 22^nd- September 2^nd. Tickets are priced at £7.50 per adult, £5 per child and £23 per family of four. Booking is essential. For more information visit creepycarmarthen.co.uk or call 01267 231557.

Wild Waters and Paddling Galore- August Summer Play Days at Llandysul Paddlers, Llandysul, Carmarthenshire

Llandysul Paddlers are hosting a variety of summer fun days throughout August, ideal for active kids looking for an adventurous day out. Water lovers can spend mornings splashing about in the River Teifi before hopping on board a kayak or canoe for exhilarating white water rides and river races. After lunch, grab a group of friends and work together to build the best raft possible before testing it on the water. There’re also plenty of land-based activities on offer for those looking for fun on dry land, including cycling, mountain biking and rock climbing.

Details: Summer Play Days are running throughout August on the following dates- 3/5/15, 12/13/14, 19/20/21, 26/27/28 August. Priced from £10 per child per day (10am-4pm). For more information visit www.llandysul-paddlers.org.uk.

Hop on Board a Vintage Steam Train - Gwili Railway, North of Carmarthen, Carmarthenshire

Families can grab a taste of the golden age of railway this summer at Gwili Railway, where they’re invited to hop on board an authentic 1950’s steam hauled service and explore the spectacular surrounding countryside in serious vintage style. Take a ride alongside old station buildings, vintage carriages, steam locomotives and diesel railcars, all with picturesque views of the village cricket pitch and Gwili River, with a delicious strawberry cream tea to satisfy your sweet tooth whilst on board. Plus, on the 19^th July, Gwili Railway is hosting a ‘Classic Transport Day’ with a host of vintage vehicles, riverside picnics, miniature railway and carnival rides.

Details: Open from 10am each day during July and August. Tickets available from £10 per adult, £4.50 per child and under 3s go free. For more information visit www.gwili-railway.co.uk.

Canoe Safari through the Wild Wetlands- WWT Llanelli, Carmarthenshire

Intrepid explorers and wildlife lovers alike will love the canoe safaris running at the Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust Llanelli throughout July and August. Your very own wetland adventure, visitors can grab a canoe and head off to explore the vast watery expanses of the wetland otherwise inaccessible to visitors- getting up close and personal with a host of wetland wildlife. The swan’s nest maze is a must-see, but those who’d prefer to stick to dry land needn’t fear- as WWT Llanelli also has a fantastic bike trail to follow; where you’re likely to meet otters, butterflies, birds and dragonflies as you pedal!

Details: Canoe and bike trails run daily throughout July and August from 12-4pm. Cost included in admission. Priced from £8.14 per adult, £4.50 per child and £22.73 per family of four. For more information visit www.wwt.org.uk/wetland-centres/llanelli or call 01554 741087.

‘Hidden House’ Tours at Newton House - Dinefwr Park and Castle, Llandeilo, Carmarthenshire

Kids after a taste of how the ‘other half’ used to live should head straight to Dinefwr Park and Castle in Carmarthenshire this summer, where guided tours of Newton House (a 17^th century mansion) will take little ones and their families behind the scenes of the historic house. Curious kids can snoop around servants’ corridors, into the basement kitchen, up into the loft space and finally out onto the roof to enjoy the views across Dinefwr’s vast parkland – with touching ancient artefacts and dressing up in Victorian costumes encouraged!  They can even have a go at being a butler for the day, getting to work polishing boots and ironing shirts in the basement. After the tour, families can explore Dinefwr’s vast parkland, home to an abundance of wildlife, and ancient castle; the ideal spot for an al fresco picnic, with bags of space to enjoy.

Details: £6 per car for admission to the parkland. No additional charges for other activities apply. Hidden House tours run daily at 2:30pm throughout July and August. For more information visit nationaltrust.org.uk/dinefwr or call 01558 824512.

We also have a whole host of family-friendly accommodation with remaining availability throughout the July and August school holidays. From spacious self-catered stone cottages with acres of countryside to explore at Waunifor and stylish hotel escapes to Newcastle Emlyn at Gwesty'r Emlyn Hotel, to uber-cool glamping breaks at Cwm Ty Coed near the market town of Carmarthen- there’s something to suit families of all shapes and sizes. For more information about the accommodation on offer, please visit www.discovercarmarthenshire.com/staying

Hwyl yr Haf i’r Teulu yng Ngardd Cymru

Yma yn Sir Gaerfyrddin, mae gennym lu o weithgareddau a digwyddiadau cyffrous yr haf yma i deuluoedd sy’n chwilio am ddiwrnod o hwyl; o fentro i ddŵr gwyllt Afon Teifi a chael te prynhawn blasus ar hen drên stem, i ganwio trwy’r gwlyptir neu fynd ar daith ysbrydion yng Nghaerfyrddin wedi iddi dywyllu. Byddwn hyd yn oed yn gweld yr enwog ‘Blue Bird’ yn dychwelyd i draeth Pentywyn, gan ailgreu llwyddiant bydenwog y car hwnnw i dorri’r record cyflymdra ar dir yn 1925!

Isod cewch fanylion rhai o’r gweithgareddau fydd ar gael yn ystod Gorffennaf ac Awst, ac mae rhagor o fanylion a llety ar gael trwy fynd i www.darganfodsirgar.com/beth-sy-mlaen

Dewch i brofi Gorffennol Sinistr Sir Gaerfyrddin ar daith fwganllyd o amgylch Caerfyrddin

Ewch ar daith yn ôl mewn hanes trwy orffennol dirgel Caerfyrddin trwy grwydro strydoedd tref hynaf y wlad fin nos, ar daith fwganllyd. Bydd y daith yn addas i bob oed, ac yn gyfle i gwrdd â “llofruddion” a’r rhai a lofruddiwyd (nid rhai go iawn, wrth gwrs); ymweld â safleoedd dienyddiadau erchyll; datgelu cyfrinachau’r gorffennol ac ymweld â strydoedd y dref hynafol gan gadw llygad ar agor am ysbrydion, gyda chymorth eich tywysydd – yr arswydus Dr Grimoire. Byddwch hyd yn oed yn cael cip y tu mewn i Orsaf Heddlu wreiddiol y dref, o Oes Victoria, lleoliad dwsinau o “wyliadwriaethau ysbrydion” dros nos, a bydd digonedd o anturiaethau lledrithiol.

Manylion: Bydd y teithiau’n cychwyn o Neuadd y Dref yng Nghaerfyrddin bob nos Fercher am 7pm o 22 Gorffennaf – 2 Medi. Pris y tocynnau yw £7.50 i oedolyn, £5 i blentyn a £23 i deulu o bedwar. Rhaid cadw lle. I gael rhagor o wybodaeth, ewch i creepycarmarthen.co.uk neu ffoniwch 01267 231557.

Dŵr Gwyllt a Digon o Badlo – Diwrnodau Chwarae’r Haf ym mis Awst gyda’r Llandysul Paddlers, Llandysul, Sir Gaerfyrddin

Mae Llandysul Paddlers yn cynnal amrywiaeth o ddiwrnodau hwyl yr haf ar hyd mis Awst, profiad delfrydol ar gyfer plant egnïol sy’n hoffi diwrnod llawn antur. Gall y rhai sy’n mwynhau chwaraeon dŵr dreulio’r bore yn sblasio yn Afon Teifi cyn neidio i mewn i gaiac neu ganŵ i fynd ar wib drwy’r dŵr gwyllt neu rasio ar yr afon. Ar ôl cinio, bydd cyfle i chi a nifer o ffrindiau gydweithio i greu’r rafft orau cyn ei phrofi ar y dŵr. Bydd hefyd ddigonedd o weithgaredd ar y tir i’r rhai sy’n awyddus i gadw’n sych, gan gynnwys beicio, beicio mynydd a dringo creigiau.

Manylion: Mae Diwrnodau Chwarae’r Haf yn cael eu cynnal ar hyd mis Awst ar y dyddiadau canlynol- 3/5/15, 12/13/14, 19/20/21, 26/27/28 Awst. Mae’r pris yn cychwyn o £10 y plentyn y dydd (10am-4pm). I gael rhagor o wybodaeth ewch i www.llandysul-paddlers.org.uk.

Ewch ar daith ar Drên Stêm Hynafol – Rheilffordd Gwili, i’r gogledd o Gaerfyrddin, Sir Gaerfyrddin

Gall teuluoedd brofi oes aur y rheilffyrdd yr haf yma ar Reilffordd Gwili, lle cânt gyfle i fynd ar wasanaeth stêm dilys o’r 1950au, ac archwilio’r ardaloedd gwledig o amgylch yn steil yr oes. Byddwch yn mynd heibio i hen adeiladau’r orsaf, cerbydau hynafol, peiriannau stêm a disl, a hefyd yn cael golygfeydd gwych o gae criced y pentref ac afon Gwili, gyda the mefus a hufen blasus fydd yn sicr at eich dant yn ystod y daith. Ar ben hynny, ar 19^eg Gorffennaf, mae Rheilffordd Gwili’n cynnal ‘Diwrnod Trafnidiaeth Glasurol’, gyda llu o gerbydau hynafol, picnic ar lan yr afon, trên bach a reidiau carnifal.

Manylion: Ar agor o 10am bob dydd yn ystod Gorffennaf ac Awst. Mae tocynnau ar gael o £10 y pen i oedolion, £4.50 i blant, ac ni chodir tâl ar blant o dan 3 oed. I gael rhagor o wybodaeth, ewch i www.gwili-railway.co.uk.

Saffari ar Ganŵ trwy’r Gwlyptiroedd Gwyllt – Canolfan Adar y Gwlyptir, Llanelli, Sir Gaerfyrddin

Bydd anturiaethwyr brwd a selogion byd natur wrth eu bodd yn mynd ar Saffari Ganŵ trwy Ganolfan Adar y Gwlyptir yn Llanelli, ar hyd Gorffennaf ac Awst. Dyma gyfle i gael eich antur gwlyptir eich hun, gan fod ymwelwyr yn gallu bachu canŵ a mynd i archwilio’r eangdiroedd gwlyptir nad yw ymwelwyr yn gallu eu gweld fel arfer – a gweld llu o anifeiliaid gwyllt yn agos. Mae drysfa nyth yr alarch yn un o’r uchafbwyntiau, ond os yw’n well gennych chi aros ar dir sych, peidiwch â phoeni, mae gan y Ganolfan lwybr beicio gwych hefyd; yno rydych chi’n debygol o gwrdd â dwrgwn, pili palod, adar a gweision y neidr wrth i chi bedlo!

Manylion: Bydd y llwybrau canwio a beicio ar gael bob dydd ym mis Gorffennaf a mis Awst, o 12-4pm. Mae’r gost yn gynwysedig yn y pris mynediad, sy’n cychwyn o £8.14 y pen i oedolion, £4.50 i blant a £22.73 i deulu o bedwar. I gael rhagor o wybodaeth, ewch i www.wwt.org.uk/wetland-centres/llanelli neu ffoniwch  01554 741087.

Teithiau ‘Tŷ Cudd’ yn Newton House – Parc a Chastell Dinefwr, Llandeilo, Sir Gaerfyrddin

Os hoffai’r plant ddysgu am fywyd  yn yr oes o’r blaen, anelwch yn syth am Barc a Chastell Dinefwr yn Sir Gaerfyrddin yn ystod yr haf, lle bydd teithiau tywys o amgylch Newton House (plasdy o’r  17^eg ganrif) yn dangos i blant a’u teuluoedd yr holl waith oedd yn arfer digwydd allan o’r golwg yn y tŷ hanesyddol. Gall plant chwilfrydig grwydro coridorau’r gweision, mynd i’r gegin yn yr is-lawr, a dringo i’r stafell yn y to, cyn mynd allan ar y to i fwynhau’r golygfeydd ar draws parcdir helaeth Dinefwr – a chael eu hannog i gyffwrdd â’r hen arteffactau a phrofi gwisgoedd Oes Victoria! Gallan nhw hyd yn oed roi cynnig ar fod yn fwtler am y dydd, a mynd ati i sgleinio sgidiau a smwddio crysau yn yr is-lawr. Ar ôl y daith, gall teuluoedd grwydro ym mharcdir helaeth Dinefwr, lle ceir digonedd o fywyd gwyllt, a’r castell hynafol; mae’n fan delfrydol ar gyfer picnic yn yr awyr agored, gan fod digon o le i fwynhau.

Manylion: £6 y car yw’r tâl mynediad i’r parcdir, ac ni chodir tâl ychwanegol am y gweithgareddau eraill. Mae’r teithiau ‘Tŷ Cudd’ (Hidden House) yn cael eu cynnal bob dydd am 2:30pm ar hyd mis Gorffennaf a mis Awst. I gael rhagor o wybodaeth, ewch i nationaltrust.org.uk/dinefwr neu ffoniwch 01558 824512.

Mae gennym ni hefyd ddigonedd o lety hwylus i deuluoedd, ac mae lleoedd ar gael ar hyd gwyliau ysgol Gorffennaf ac Awst. O fythynnod carreg eang yn Waunifor, lle gallwch chi drefnu eich bwyd eich hun ac archwilio erwau o gefn gwlad, i westy steilus  y gallwch ddianc iddo, Gwesty'r Emlyn Hotel, yng Nghastellnewydd Emlyn, i’r gwyliau gwersylla moethus diweddaraf, Cwm Ty Coed, ger tref farchnad Caerfyrddin – mae rhywbeth at ddant teuluoedd, beth bynnag yw eu maint a’u math. I gael rhagor o wybodaeth am y llety sydd ar gael, ewch i www.discovercarmarthenshire.com/staying

Pancakes, bugs, rockets and piglets...... oh and steam train adventures!

February Half Term Family Fun in Carmarthenshire - pancake flipping, mini-beast hunting, rocket launching, junior farmer courses and steam train adventures

Head to Carmarthenshire this February half term where there is plenty on offer to keep families of all ages entertained; from minibeast hunting and bird watching at WWT Llanelli, to rocket launches at Dinefwr Park and pig keeping courses for budding young farmers at Cwmcrwth Farm.

With tons of exciting activities and events planned, plus a host of family-friendly accommodation options available, Carmarthenshire is the perfect destination for a fun family getaway this February half term. For more information, visit www.discovercarmarthenshire.com.

Half Term Events...

Rocket Launches and Tractor Tours at Dinefwr Park and Castle, Llandeilo

There's nothing quite like fresh air and family time, and Dinefwr Park offers this in spades, and there are plenty of events and activities for families of all ages to enjoy this half term. Families can look out for wild animals in the specially built nature reserve, head to a science-themed workshop where kids can make and launch their own paper rockets, blow off some steam in the adventure playground or stop beneath a 400-year-old oak tree for a picnic. After lunch, hop on board Dinefwr’s popular Tractor Trailer Tours, where families can get up close and personal with the Park’s ancient breed of White Park Cattle whilst learning more about the work that goes on at the Nature Reserve.
Details: £6 per car for admission to the parkland. No additional charges for other activities apply. www.nationaltrust.org.uk/dinefwr.

Minibeast Hunting and Pom Pom Owls at WWT Llanelli

Head down to WWT Llanelli for a fun-filled wildlife weekend this half term. From 16th - 20th February, the centre will be running a range of daily activities suitable for mini David Attenboroughs in the making. Start off the day with a ‘minibeast hunt’, where young adventurers will visit the purpose made minibeast area - complete with old rotting logs and dark, damp hideaways - to discover what creepy crawlies love to call this home. They can then bring their findings back to have a closer look at them under a microscope, using ID books to discover what they’ve caught. Then, families can head to the observatory for a guided bird-watch- using telescopes and binoculars to spot as many species of wildfowl as possible. Plus, a craft workshop is on offer later in the day, where little ones can have fun making pom pom owls and bird feeders.
Details: All events included in admission cost - £8.14 per adult and £4.50 per child over 4. Under 4s go free. www.wwt.org.uk/wetland-centres/llanelli.

50th Anniversary Celebrations at Gwili Steam Railway

Visit Gwili this half term, where the Steam Railway is commemorating 50 years since the last public passenger train between Aberyswyth and Carmarthen. Hop on board a 1950’s steam hauled service, running daily from Sunday 15th to Friday 20thFebruary, where families can have an authentic taste of the golden age of railway. Take a ride alongside old station buildings, vintage carriages, steam locomotives and diesel railcars, all with picturesque views of the village cricket pitch and Gwili River. Plus, on Friday 20th there will be 1960’s costumes, pop-up exhibitions and nostalgic treats- giving families the chance to take a real step back in time.
Details: Open from 10am each day during Half Term. Tickets available from £10 per adult, £4.50 per child and under 3s go free. A family ticket is priced at £24.50. www.gwili-railway.co.uk.

Walk in the Footsteps of the Romans - Dolaucothi Gold Mines

Nestled in the heart of a huge 2,500-acre estate, Dolaucothi offers many waymarked walks for active families keen for a taste of the great outdoors this half term. Travel back in time by 2,000 years at what is the oldest known Roman gold mine in the UK, where free self-guided audio walks will be running throughout February half term.  Families can follow old Roman trails through the Carmarthenshire countryside, whilst audio headsets bring exciting stories of Celts and Romans to life around them. Keep eyes peeled for the boundary of a Roman fort, mining pits, pick marks and the Pumsaint Stone – surrounded by ancient history.
Details: Self guided trails on the estate are free of charge. Visit www.nationaltrust.org.uk/dolaucothi-gold-mines or call 01558 650177.

Things can only get batter

The National Botanic Garden of Wales will be going flat out for pancakes this half term with making, baking and pancake races on the menu. There will be fun family activities every day of the upcoming mid-term school hols with cooking, magic and much more - and don't forget: Kids go FREE at half-term. Celebrity chef Lisa Fearn - from the Pumpkin Patch Cookery and Gardening School, in Whitemill, Carmarthen - will be on hand on Shrove Tuesday to show you how to cook - and flip! - the best pancakes. Lisa will also be in the Garden cooking up a storm on Wednesday, too. In addition to daily activities (every day from Saturday February 14 to Sunday February 22), there will be a visit from the Purple Routes play bus, on the Thursday and Friday of half-term. And, on the Saturday (Feb 21st), Folly Farm’s resident magician, juggler and balloon modeller Luke Jugglestruck will be in the Theatr Botanica to wow us with his magical stylings.
gardenofwales.org.uk  01558 667149