Carmarthenshire

Carmarthenshire spans a lively coastline and quiet, hilly farmland, with towns to match each mood. Carmarthen is the busy county hub, good for a base with plenty of shops and transport links, while Llanelli offers a larger coastal town feel with its own maritime heritage. Laugharne, on the estuary, draws visitors with its literary connections and slower pace, and Pembrey suits those wanting beach walks and country parkland close to the sea.

Inland, Llandeilo and Llandovery are handsome market towns surrounded by rolling countryside, ideal for exploring castles and river valleys at an easy pace. Newcastle Emlyn sits further west along the Teifi, quiet and scenic, while smaller places such as Llangadog, Llanwrda, Llangathen, Whitland and Cross Hands offer peaceful stops for travellers keen to see rural Carmarthenshire away from the busier routes.

Carmarthenshire's places to stay range from country hotels with a few acres around them to guest houses on quiet lanes and inns that double as the local pub. Carmarthen itself has options like the Spilman Hotel and Falcon Hotel for anyone based in the county town, while further out places such as Ty Mawr Country Hotel and Broadway Country House Hotel suit a slower pace.

Smaller B&Bs, including Bryn Hebog, Neuadd Wen Guest House and Llety Cynin, tend to sit closer to the coast and countryside, useful for walkers or anyone touring rather than staying put. Named for the town's most famous writer, Dylan Thomas Sea View hints at the sort of outlook you can find along this stretch of coast.

With 88 places listed across the county, choice usually comes down to whether you want town convenience, a rural setting, or somewhere with a bar downstairs, as at the Afon Duad Inn or converted spots like Dan y Graig Barn.

Carmarthenshire's days out range from Roman gold workings to wide Atlantic sands, with plenty of ground in between. Near Llanarthney, the National Botanic Garden of Wales and the National Trust's Dinefwr estate make a natural pairing for a full day, while Llandeilo itself suits a wander either side of a visit. Further west, Dolaucothi Gold Mines near Llanwrda gives a different sort of history, with old workings you can go down into.

The coast has its own draws: Pembrey Country Park and its beach sit alongside Llansteffan Beach and the long run of Pendine Sands for a proper seaside outing. Llanelli covers the wetter and wilder side of things at the WWT Wetland Centre, plus everyday options like the ODEON and Actif Sport & Leisure for less weather-dependent plans. Families based centrally often use Llyn Llech Owain Country Park as an easy, low-key outdoor option between bigger trips.

Carmarthenshire's dining scene stretches from the county town of Carmarthen, with its mix of cafes and everyday favourites, out to Llanelli and smaller centres like Ammanford where working men's clubs and grill houses sit alongside kebab shops and coffee stops such as Caffe Nero. It's a practical spread rather than a glamorous one, built for locals wanting a decent meal or a pint close to home.

Farm shops and grills, including places like Cwmcerrig Farm Shop and Grill, point to the county's rural character, while hotel restaurants such as Three Rivers Hotel & Spa offer something a little more formal for a special occasion. Pub food, bar and grill menus and social clubs make up much of the rest, so choosing often comes down to whether you want a quick, casual bite or a sit-down meal with a bit more polish.

Carmarthenshire's mix of river valleys, farmland and quiet coast makes it well suited to camping and glamping, and the choice runs from simple farm pitches to well-appointed yurts and cabins. Sites around Llandeilo and Capel Isaac sit close to the Towy valley and the Brecon Beacons foothills, useful if you want walking or castles nearby, while those near Kidwelly and Carmarthen put the coast and estuary within easy reach.

Further west and north, around Whitland, Login and Llanybydder, pitches tend to be smaller and more rural, often on working farms with plenty of space between camps. Places like Fron Farm Yurt Retreat, Dryw Bach Glamping and Twin Bleats Farm show the range of glamping styles on offer, while Quarry Lodge Camping, Frowen Fields and Glanrhyd Farm Camping give a flavour of the more traditional tent-and-campervan sites. Parc Y Mynydd Camping and Welsh Hilltop Escape are worth considering if hill views matter more to you than proximity to town.

Carmarthenshire's self-catering cottages spread across a county that mixes coastline, farmland and hills, so the choice often comes down to what sort of week you want. Places like Beachside and Beachview suit those drawn to the Carmarthen Bay coast, while cottages such as Dolgoed House and Yr Hen Efail sit further inland among quieter farming country.

Others go for something different again: The Cabin In The Woods and Mongolian Ger offer a more rustic, back-to-nature stay, and smaller conversions like Hoglet Cottage or Ysgubor Fawr work well for couples or small groups wanting privacy rather than a village setting. With 218 properties across the county, it's worth deciding first whether you want coast, countryside or forest before narrowing things down.