French
DeutschCarmarthen (Welsh: Caerfyrddin) is the county town of Carmarthenshire in South Wales, UK.
Although the town lacks an abundance of tourist attractions, if your journey takes you past then consider taking a break here. There are some pleasant cafes, and the old town centre and its famous market are definitely worth a look.
Understand
[edit | edit source]A 12th-century history book names the town as the birthplace of the wizard of Arthurian legend, Merlin. Consequently, there are a few Merlin-themed events and establishments in the town.
If you are coming in from Cardiff, Swansea or the Tenby area, Carmarthen will sometimes be the first place that you have the chance to often hear Welsh spoken on the street.
Get in
[edit | edit source]By road
[edit | edit source]From east: M4 to end, A48 the rest of the way. Parking is not exactly easy, though St John's car park behind the market is the most convenient for the shopping centre.
By train
[edit | edit source]1 Carmarthen stationProvides direct trains to Carmarthen from London Paddington though generally you will need to change at Swansea. Travel times from London are approximately 4 hours.
By bus
[edit | edit source]National Express operates coach services to Carmarthen from Haverford West, Cardiff and London
Traws Cymru (TfW) services from Cardiff Bay to Aberystwyth calls at Carmarthen.
First Bus have a number of services to Carmarthen from various towns in the area, including Llanelli.
2 Carmarthen Bus Station is central on Blue St.
Get around
[edit | edit source]
The town centre is small enough to easily get around on foot or bicycle.
See
[edit | edit source]- 1 Aberglasney Gardens, Aberglasney, Llangathen, Carmarthen SA32 8QH, ☏ +44 1558 668998, info@aberglasney.org.
- 2 Blue Badge Trail. Start point for the trail.
- 3 Carmarthen Castle. The ruins of the castle are in the town centre.
- 4 Carmarthen County Museum, Abergwili, SA31 2JG (1.5 miles east of the town on the A40), ☏ +44 1267 228696. Mon–Sat 10AM–4:30PM. A small museum displaying a wide range of artefacts representing the county's heritage.
- 5 Carmarthen Roman Amphitheatre. Known as the Roman Fort of Moridunum, this is the most westerly Amphitheater in the Roman Empire and one of only a handful still standing in the UK.Whilst this isn’t the biggest ruin and not as impressive as Caerleon, it’s still an important historical site that is worth visiting if you are in the area.
- 6 Picton Monument. The Picton Monument in Carmarthen, Wales, is one of a number of memorials commemorating Lieutenant General Sir Thomas Picton.
- 7 National Botanic Garden of Wales, Llanarthne, ☏ +44 1558 667149. This garden was created in the new millennium and features over 100,000 plants set in a 568-acre regency park. The gardens features the world's largest single span glass house.
Do
[edit | edit source]- 1 British Bird of Prey Centre, The British Bird of Prey Centre, Pantgwyn, Idole, Carmarthenshire SA32 8DG, ☏ +44 7444 177818, info@britishbirdofpreycentre.co.uk. The only attraction in the UK dedicated entirely to native British birds of prey
- 2 Carmarthen Golf Club, Blaenycoed Road, Carmarthen, SA336EH, ☏ +44 1267 281588. 18 hole par 71 course.
- 3 Derllys Court Golf Club, Derllys Court, Llysonnen Road, Carmarthen, ☏ +44 1267 211575, derllys@hotmail.com. Set in the Carmarthenshire countryside, Derllys Court is an outstanding tree lined, parkland course. This 18 hole, Par 70 course boasts views from the summit which provide a panoramic vista of rolling hills and valleys. Visitors always receive a very warm welcome.
- 4 Escape Game, Carmarthen, 1 Priory Street, Carmarthen SA31 1LS, carmarthen@ruby-rhino.co.uk. Escape rooms
- 5 Go Sport Wales, 15 Parc Dewi Sant, Carmarthen, SA31 3HB, ☏ +44 7976 964255. Indoor shooting centre
- 6 Gwili Railway, Abergwili Junction Station, Abergwili, Carmarthen, SA31 2DG, ☏ +44 1267 238213, info@gwili-railway.co.uk. Welsh heritage railway that operates a standard gauge preserved railway line
- 7 Lyric Theatre.
- 8 Overhang Climbing Centre. Indoor Climbing Centre
- 9 Rowtons Museum of the Paranormal and Spirituality, ☏ +44 7842 792906. Explore the secrets of the unseen and experience the paranormal at our historic chapel.
- 10 Tywi Valley Path. The Tywi Valley Path, follows the route of a former railway line closed in 1963 and provides a wonderful resource for walking, cycling and wheeling. This shared use path through one of Wales’s most picturesque landscapes connects Carmarthen and Llandeilo with a direct route, allowing local residents and visitors to access services and hospitality and enjoy the landscape. In Carmarthen, the route starts at the Carmarthen County Museum at Abergwili.
- 11 Xcel Bowl, Llansteffan Road, Johnstown, Carmarthen SA31 3BP, ☏ +44 1267 225990, info@xcelbowl.co.uk. Indoor Bowling Centre
- Rugby Union: Carmarthen Quins play in Super Rygbi Cymru, the amateur top tier in Wales.
- Brechfa Forest mountain bike trails.
- Wales Balloon Festival is in June Carmarthen Showground.
Buy
[edit | edit source]- 1 Carmarthen Market. The area around Carmarthen has been a magnet for the counter-culture since the 1960s, and as a result, the town's market peddles an interesting mixture of traditional market goods, local food and hippie hand-crafts. The market it open six days a week, though Wednesday and Saturday are market days and the best days to visit.
- 2 Carmarthen Local Producers Market, Market Precinct, Red Street, and Chapel Street. Every Fri from 8:30 AM to 3:00 PM. Carmarthen hosts a Local Producers' Market every Friday.
- 3 King Street. King Street is worth a visit, with a wide range of independent shops and galleries.
- 4 Origin, 23 King Street, Carmarthen. SA31 1BS, ☏ +44 1267 234500. West Wales Artists & Makers
- 5 Oriel Myrddin Gallery, 26-27 King Street, Carmarthen SA31 1BS, ☏ +44 1267 222775.
- 6 Oriel King Street Gallery, Oriel King Street Gallery, 33 King Street, Carmarthen SA31 1BS, ☏ +44 1267 220121, gallery@kingstreetgallery.co.uk.
- 7 St. Catherine's Walk Shopping Centre, 4 Saint Catherine St, SA31 1GA, ☏ +44 1267 243040.
- 8 Albert Rees, Carmarthen Deli, Albert Rees Ltd, 7 Cambrian Way, Carmarthen,SA31 1QN. Buy the famous "Carmarthen Ham" at Albert Rees.
Eat
[edit | edit source]Places to eat in Carmarthen
- 1 Adref Cafe and Bar.
- 2 [dead link] Cafe Iechyd da, 2b Jacksons Lane. Very enjoyable food - fresh locally sourced and organic. Vegetarian and Vegan. Relaxed and informal atmosphere.
- 3 Cegin Myrddin.
- 4 Cofio Lounge, The Guildhall, Carmarthen SA31 1PR.
- 5 Dexters Steakhouse.
- 6 Florentinos.
- 7 Grain.
- 8 Jasmine Thai Takeaway & Restaurant.
- 9 Tea Traders.
- 10 The New Curiosity.
- 11 Y Sied Goffi - Café & Shop.
Places to eat close to Carmarthen
- 12 The Butchers Arms, Llanddarog.
- 13 White Hart Inn, Llanddarog, White Hart Inn, Llanddarog, Carmarthen SA32 8NT, marcusrcoles@aol.com. Pub, Restaurant, Distillery, and Brewery
- 14 Wright's Food Emporium, Llanarthne, Llanarthne, Carmarthenshire SA32 8JU.
- 15 Y Barbican at parc y bocs, Kidwelly, Carmarthen Rd, Kidwelly, Carmarthen SA17 5AB.
- 16 Y Polyn, Capel Dewi, Capel Dewi, Carmarthen Carmarthenshire, SA32 7LH, ☏ +44 1267 290000. Beautiful produce cooked simply and with respect.
Drink
[edit | edit source]Sleep
[edit | edit source]There are some good B&Bs and self catering cottages in a rural setting near Carmarthen as well as a number of hotels in the town.
Places to sleep in Carmarthen
- 1 The Spilman Hotel, 36 Spilman Street, ☏ +44 1267 237037.
Places to sleep near Carmarthen
- 2 Allt y Golau Farmhouse (Ffermdy Allt y Golau), Allt y Golau Uchaf, Felingwm Uchaf, ☏ +44 1267 290455, alltygolau@btinternet.com. Great Little Places of Wales award for the Best Farmhouse Breakfast in Wales
- 3 Cambrian Cottages, Berllan, Gwyddgrug, Pencader SA39 9BL (10 miles north of Carmarthen via A485.), ☏ +44 7786 626010, stay@cambriancottages.com. Check-in: 16:00, check-out: 10:00. Three eco friendly and dog friendly self catering cottages in a converted barn. Visit Wales 4* graded, Cyclists and Walkers Welcome Awards. Winner of National Tourism Awards for Wales 'Bro a Byd' sustainability Award 2025 and Carmarthen Tourism Awards 2024 'Best self catering' Award. From £85 / night.
- 4 Dolwerdd B and B, Trevaughan Rd., Carmarthen, SA31 3QL (1 mile north of Carmarthen), ☏ +44 1267 237222, dolwerdd@btinternet.com. 4-star B&B 1 mile from Carmarthen.2 rooms. Free wifi. Off-road parking. Cycle storage. £32.50 £65.
- 5 Glangwili Mansion B&B.
- 6 [dead link] Llwyn Helyg, Llanarthne SA32 8HJ (off B4300 9 miles east of Carmarthen), ☏ +44 1558 668778. Excellent small B&B, no children under 16 or dogs. B&B double from £140.
- 7 Red Kite Cottage.
- 8 Stangwrach Cottages.
Go next
[edit | edit source]Castles
- Kidwelly Castle in Kidwelly is about 8 miles from Carmarthen along the A484.
- Carreg Cennen CastleThis spectacular castle is in Trapp near Llandeilo.
Gardens
- Aberglasney Gardens One of Wales’ finest gardens, and at its heart lies a fully restored Elizabethan Cloister Garden that is the only surviving example of its kind in the UK today.
Other towns and areas to visit:
- Brechfa Forest - Forest area popular for mountain biking, walking and horse riding.
- Laugharne is a sea-side town and home of Swansea born and world famous writer Dylan Thomas, and the boat-house where many of his verses were composed is a main attraction. Laugharne is 8 miles from Carmarthen. Why not try the Dylan Thomas Trail.
- Llandovery - a quaint market town.
- Swansea and the Gower Peninsula - Wales' city by the sea is 22 miles from Carmarthen. Follow A48, M4, exit 'Swansea West'. Check out the free National Waterfront Museum.
- St. Clears
| Routes through Carmarthen |
| Haverfordwest ← St Clears ← | W  E | → Llandeilo → Llandovery |
| END ← | NW  SE | → merges with  → Swansea |