Life’s a beach in West Wales
Pick from great beaches at Saundersfoot, Llansteffan and dune-rich Pembrey. Blast clay pigeons at The Big Shoot, play a round at Glyn Abbey Golf Course, walk the Wales Coast Path, or show your mind, body and soul some love at Monks Premier Spa. Wear the kids out at Folly Farm and Oakwood Theme Park.
Kids ahoy!
There’s plenty to wear them out at Folly Farm, including the zoo, featuring over 100 species such as lions, rhinos, giraffes and penguins. Ride the land train, meet pigs, goats horses and donkeys, and pet the lambs and guinea pigs at Cwtch Corner. Wrap up the day on the vintage fairground rides.
Enjoy a footplate experience on the Gwili Railway. Ramp up the adrenaline-fuelled thrills at Oakwood, Wales’ biggest theme park, with toddler-friendly rides, fast thrills and spills, spooky Halloween events, late-night riding seasons, food and drink, and even kennels for your dog. Or go underground at the National Show Caves.
Bring your buckets and spades for some great beach action at Saundersfoot, eight-mile-long Cefn Sidan with its year-round dog-friendly areas, and country park attractions. Try lead climbing and bouldering up to 11 metres at Overhang Carmarthen. Or just catch the latest flicks at Vue Carmarthen.
Take a canoe safari and discover over 450 acres of rare wetland habitat at Llanelli Wetland Centre, and build an epic den in Wiggly Wood. Take a Hawk Walk with Malachi at The British Bird of Prey Centre. Or get your hard hats on and discover the only known gold mine in the UK at Dolaucothi, dating back over two millennia.
For the grown ups
Blast clay pigeons from the skies at The Big Shoot. Play a round or two at Glyn Abbey Golf Course, with its beautiful wooded surroundings and amazing views over the Gwendraeth Valley, or at Carmarthen, a stunning parkland course with mesmerising mountain views.
Fish for carp, mirror, common, ghost, tench and bream at Sylen Lakes. Explore 2000 acres of forestry and an eight-mile sandy beach with Pembrey Horseriding. Or just use Shanks’ pony to walk the Wales Coast Path past sandstone cliffs and Norman castles. Or head to the Brecon Beacons for testing mountain treks.
Show your mind, body and soul some love at Monks Premier Spa and pick from treatments that include facials, foot cleanses, manicures and massages. Or do just about anything outdoors at Llandysul Paddlers, including kayaking, canoeing, climbing, coasteering and canyoning.
Go back in time to visit a rich Norman past at castles such as Picton, Dinefwr and Kidwelly. Or enjoy wow-factor views over Carmarthen Bay from Llansteffan Castle. Explore the Great Glasshouse and Tropical House at the National Botanic Gardens. Or just potter the indie shops and galleries of Carmarthen’s King Street.
Happy hens
Keep mind, body and spirit happy on a spa day at Monks Premier Spa. Immerse yourself in facials, foot cleanses, manicures and massages. Get wet and wild with rock- hopping, cave-exploring and cliff-jumping with Celtic Quest Coasteering. Or pick from everything outdoors at Morfa Bay Adventure, including high ropes and axe-throwing.
Enjoy an afternoon tea at Tor Cefn Farms, then meet the goats, ducks and chickens. Learn to make cheese at a one-day artisan workshop at Cwmcrwth Farm. Take a cookery class with top chef Adam Holding at The Foodie Room. Maybe get inspired enough to call into Pac y Bocs farm shop and fill your fridge with fresh, local produce.
How about a woodland experience, exploring the local woods and having a go at basic bushcraft and woodcraft? Call Life Off Grid for a unique experience. Or maybe join Welsh photographer Andy Davies at the picturesque National Wetland Centre to learn the art of creative digital photography.
Nights out? You’ve twelve pubs within a mile radius of Carmarthen town centre. Throw some shapes at the newly expanded Notts nightclub, featuring three bars over two floors, DJ booth and sprawling dance floor. Or head to The Vaults for live music, cocktails, food and a Fevertree-designed gin menu.
