Local Information

The county town of Carmenthenshire, Wales, and located on the River Tywi, Carmarthen is possibly the oldest town in the country; it even has a Roman fort dating from as far back as 75-77 AD. Close to this fort is the Maridunum Demetarum, one of the seven surviving Roman amphitheatres in the United Kingdom.

Carmathen and its surrounding areas have a rich variety of things to do, and places to see for the visitor. The town is presently a booming commercial centre with a good mix of traditional and modern shopping facilities and a famous bustling indoor and outdoor market experience. The quaint market town of Llandovery is also close by. Since the 1960s this entire area has been a magnet for the counter-culture. As a result, Carmarthen’s market peddles both traditional market goods and hippie handicrafts.

The Carmarthenshire County Museum, an exposition of the Carmarthenshire past, is two miles away from town. The Laugharne Castle and Kidwelly Castle are both at a distance of eight miles from Carmarthen. You must plan a visit to the Kidwelly Castle in particular, as it is one of the country’s best kept secrets, revealing an honest vision of medieval Wales.

The ruins of Carmarthen Castle also hold a very special place in the town’s history.In addition to King Arthur, Merlin is also said to have lived near the castle, which was built in 1109-10. Currently, an archeological excavation is being carried out especially in order to find out more about its main gatehouse.

Other tourist destinations include Middleton, the National Botanic Garden of Wales, and the nearby seaside town of Laugharne.Here, Dylan Thomas’ boat house, where most of his verses were composed, is among the principal attractions. Ocean lovers also like to visit Swansea and the Gower Coast; Wales’ city by the sea is only at a distance of twenty two miles from Carmarthen.