Local activities
We would be happy to suggest the best hill walking into the Black Mountains and Brecon Beacons; it takes less than half an hour. The Famous Carmarthenshire Vans can be seen from all around the Towy Valley and provide the most breathtaking views across South and East Wales to the Bristol Channel on a clear day. The peaks above the fairy lake of Llyn Y Fan Fach can be found capped with snow well into spring time, or why not visit the ancient Dolaucothi Gold Mines, only 10 minutes away by car.
Rural Walking
We will be happy to provide maps for numerous walks across the Towy Valley for country lane rambling, or to attractions such as Dinefwr Park designed by the famous Capability Brown with its Deer and White Cattle, Newton House now restored to 19th century glory and the ancient Dinefwr Castle once the seat of the princes of South Wales and declared the 'capital of Wales’ in the 1100’s. This spectacular walk is way marked and takes you to the ancient Church at Llandyfeusant sited on an ancient Roman Village which yielded a store of Roman Gold Coins early in the 20th century.
Fishing
Salmon Fishing on the Towy is famous the world over and the best stretches are from Llangadog, north of the Market Town of Llandeilo through the Town to Nantgaredig and are talked about in the most prestigious of Angling Clubs. The Sewin Fishing (welsh for ‘Sea Trout’) adds to the attraction.
However, you need not go further than your back door during your stay as we have 50 acres of private land through which the Dulais River flows bristling with fine Brown Trout.
The Dulais merely needs a Private Rod licence where as the Towy River needs a Private Rod Licence and a Permit from the Towy Valley Angling Club. Give us, your hosts, David and Ann Evans a ring and we’ll be happy to make arrangements for your visit.
Bird Watching
Bird Watching Holidays in the unspoilt Towy Valley in West Wales can not fail to allow you the spectacular site of the famous Red Kite seen daily effortlessly wheeling on the warm air currents above Tycoch Barn, its distinctive forked tail angling left and right to steer its progress.
We have too, local experts such as Merlin Bird Tours who can give you guided tours across West Wales.
Cycling
The country lanes have sign posted tours such as the Cothi, Towy and the Cennen Tour that takes you to Carreg Cennen Castle perched high on a limestone crag above the Cennen river. Its caves beneath were hewn out of rock by hand to make dungeons leading below the limestone cliff to a well that once quenched the thirst of the garrison in times of siege.
This is probably one of the most spectacularly sighted castles in the UK. You will pass on all routes excellent traditional welsh pubs with great bar and restaurant meals.
Mountain Biking
Wales’ newest Mountain Bike Trail at Brechfa Forest is a mere 15 minutes by car, or of course a little longer by bike and offers Enduro Trails and Road Cycling,
http://www.bikebrechfa.co.uk/events.htm
Castles
There are more castles per square mile in Carmarthenshire than anywhere else in the UK, with Carreg Cennen Casle, Dinefwr Castle, Dryslwyn Castle, Llanstephan Castle, Llandovery Castle, Kidwelly Castle and Carmarthen Castle, all within close proximity.
Golfing
Golfing Holidays in West Wales are something to be savoured at Tycoch Barn 5 Star Self Catering, with the Jack Nicklaus Machynys Peninsular Course about 45 minutes drive away on the shore of the Llanelli Coastal Park. This is within 3 miles of the Ashburnham Golf Course, also near Llanelli.
Glynhir Golf Club at Llandybie, about 2 miles from Carreg Cennen Castle, offers excellent golfing amongst the ancient woodlands at Llandybie, near the famous Glynhir Falls.
Food and drink locally including food tours
Llandeilo in the Towy Valley is famous for its brewing tradition with the Award winning Tomos Wakins’ ales being rediscovered here in the late 1990’s and the current Evan Evans brewery sited on the edge of the town. These award winning welsh real ales can be sampled at the White Horse Tavern; ‘Thank heavens for Evan Evans’.
The Polyn, famous for being owned by Simon Wright of the BBC 2 series the ‘Wright Food’ is visted by people from as far afield as East and Mid Wales and that’s not all, we have The Cawdors, The Angel Salem, The Angel Capel Bach Bistro, Llandeilo, the Half Way Inn, Nantgaredig, The Plough Inn, Rhosmaen……the list is endless.
Some great local pubs, with great local ales:
Why not try the White Horse, Llandeilo, The Salutation, Llandeilo, The Torbay, Ffairfach,
Shopping locally
The Rural charm and historic nature of Llandeilo belies the fact that it is the first port of call for the collections from the London Fashion Houses, with shops such as Rigout, Toast and Mela.
The Town is further guilded with the Fountain Art and Bridge Art Galleries that exhibit art and sculpture from all over Wales but have an especially good array of original local works by local Towy Valley artists, a good stop to take some of the spirit of your Rural Retreat home with you.
Local Life
We as your hosts enjoy nothing better than lazy days watching Llandeilo Cricket Team being clapped at every stroke at the picturesque Dinefwr Park in summertime in the market Town of Llandeilo, or in winter watching the Llandeilo Rugby Football team being cheered on by the same locals who retire to warm local ales and log fires at the White Hart, White Horse or Angel Inns.
The West Wales coast - 40 minutes.
The Llanelli Coast is only 40 minutes drive away, with Dylan Thomas’ Boat House in Laugharne about the same distance westward leading you along the West Wales coast to Tenby and Saundersfoot only an hour + by car.
