Things To Do
This is just a taster of things to see and do around the area. There are loads of websites that offer fuller information on these, and a whole host of others, that we have not listed.
Golf
As an indication of the quality of courses in Wales, in 2010 the Ryder Cup will be held at the Celtic Manor Resort (junction 24 of the M4).
Directly on our doorstep is the fabulous new Machynys Nicklaus golf course - voted Gold Medal 2005 in the Golf Monthly magazine.
The area also boasts many more courses - please see our links page.
Parks & Gardens
Literally on your doorstep is the award winning Millennium Coastal Park. This is the largest land reclamation project ever in Wales and cost £30 million. Over 2000 acres of wasteland and former industrial landscape has been transformed into a stunning 22km coastal pathway/cycle track linking the Pembrey Country Park and the national Wetlands Centre. The MCP has a newly opened Discovery Centre with restaurant, shop and offers hire of equipment. The Sospan Hopper Land Train also departs from here during summer months, taking adults and children on a leisurely ride along the coastal path.
Pembrey Country Park offers plenty of activities & facilities for families. These include a dry ski slope, toboggan run, train ride, pitch & putt, adventure playground, crazy golf, visitor centre and restaurant.
The Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust in Llanelli runs The National Wetlands Centre here. The centre has various areas of natural habitat for a variety of birds & fowl. There are events throughout the year and the centre has a shop & restaurant on site.
For several hundreds years of history, visit the Aberglasney Gardens which is approximately 20 miles away. The main house is steeped in history and there are beautiful formal gardens, such as the Walled Garden, the Ninfarium, Cloister Garden, the Yew Tunnel and many more. There is a shop and café/restaurant on site also.
Dinefwr Park also provides beautiful gardens designed and executed by Capability Brown in the 18th century.
Family Fun/Theme Parks
Surprisingly with all this wonderful countryside, the area offers some great places for those that want a little adventure & some of the white knuckle kind!
Topping the list has to be the Oakwood Theme Park (junction 49 M4). This offers some high adrenalin thrill rides for those that want thrills, to more sedate children’s rides and activities. Reasonably priced entrance with family tickets of 4 or 6 makes this an affordable day out. Special events organised throughout the year - e.g. August 2007 - Fireworks every night. The Oakwood Centre also houses a ‘Techiquest’ providing interactive science activities.
For those of you that require a more gentile family day out, then visit Folly Farm near Tenby. This has a zoo, farm, funfair and large indoor adventure playground for kids and adults!
Culla Park offers a Paintball Centre at Trimsaran, approximately 5 miles away.
Arts & Crafts
There is the Carmarthenshire Craft Trail, which showcases some of the regions finest craftspeople, offering a variety of talent. See sculptors, cabinetmakers, glassmakers, weavers, fine artists and much more.
See the link on the links page or go to www.carmarthenshire.gov.uk
Take a look also at Laugharne Pottery & Glass where you can watch glass blowing and view the finished products in the shop there.
In early summer, the Urdd Eisteddfod festival is held. This is Europe’s largest youth arts festival.
Museums/Castles
There is a plethora of castles around this area to view. The closest are Kidwelly Castle and Laugharne Castle. Take a look on www.cadw.gov.uk.
Dolaucothi Goldmines date back to Roman times and offer a great insight to how gold was mined out of the Welsh hills all those hundreds of years ago.
For something more 20th century, visit the Pendine Museum of Speed. Pendine Sands is where many land speed records have been attempted & broken. The museum on in Pendine town houses the famous ‘Babs’ racing car that claimed the life of Parry-Thomas when he attempted to beat Malcolm Campbell’s earlier record.