The pretty market town of Llandeilo, with its narrow streets, painted Georgian houses and selection of boutiques, coffee shops and galleries is where farming feet meets country chic. And for a relatively compact area, the surrounding Tywi Valley packs in a number of heritage and cultural attractions, set in some of the most breath-taking scenery in Wales.
Suggestions of places to visit in the Tywi Valley:
Carreg Cennen – dominating the skyline for miles, the castle dates back to the 13th century.
Dinefwr Estate and Castle - a stunning 800-acre estate just outside Llandeilo which occupies an important place in Welsh history.
Aberglasney Gardens - these formal walled gardens date from Elizabethan times with a unique cloister garden at its heart.
Stay over night at The Cawdor, Llandelio
Dinner at The Cawdor’s restaurant.
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Drive to Haverfordwest, Pembrokeshire – approx. 1hr30 and take a boat trip to Skomer and Stokholm islands with Dale Princess & Dale Sea Safaris.
Skomer, Skokholm and Grassholm are a trio of neighbouring islands grouped together as a Site of Special Scientific Interest with so much wildlife to enjoy.
Lunch suggestion: The Griffin – next to the Dale Beach car park.
Optional: Walk a section of the Pembrokeshire Coast Path from the car park at Dale, or make a trip to Marloes Sands and take the half mile cliff walk down to the beach where you’ll be greeted by 1.5km of uncrowded sweeping sand, dotted with sandstone towers standing in low-tide pools shimmering with tiny fish and shrimps, plus views of Skokholm and Gateholm islands.
Stay overnight at Slebech Park, Narbeth.
Dinner at Slebech Park.
am
Cenarth Falls
Visit Cenarth Falls (on the way to New Quay from Pembrokeshire) – approx. 50mins from Haverfordwest
On the borders of three counties – Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion and Pembrokeshire – is the charming village of Cenarth. Its main attraction since Victorian times is the cascade of waterfalls on the River Teifi.
pm
New Quay
Cardigan Bay is famous for its bottlenose dolphins, with a population of around 250. They’re drawn here by the abundant feeding grounds, the undisturbed habitat and the clean waters.
Stay overnight at The Falcondale, Lampeter, Ceredigion.
Dinner at The Falcondale.
am
Strata Florida
Visit Strata Florida Abbey before heading home.
The abbey of Strata Florida, Latin for ‘Vale of Flowers’, or ‘Ystrad Fflur’, as the locals call it, has stood in monastic tranquillity on the banks of the River Teifi since 1201. Established by Cistercian monks, it soon became the most famous church in Wales after St Davids Cathedral, and a keystone of Welsh culture.