Brecon Beacons Tourism

The Brecon Beacons National Park - Croeso i'r Bannau Brycheiniog!

Llandovery & Llandeilo

Llandovery & Llandeilo
These two towns are on the western route out of the National Park and offer us access to the magnificent wilderness of the area around Cerrig Cennan heading down to the Amman valley and are also the doorstep into Carmarthenshire.

Llandovery is an historic drovers town and in 2011 (24th and 25th September) will be celebrating this with the second Llandovery Sheep Festival . The town sits on the junction of three important droving routes from Pembrokeshire, Carmarthenshire and Cardiganshire – historically sheep, ducks and other animals including a staggering 30,000 cattle were driven from Wales to Smithfield and the Barnet fair each year. The statue of Llewellyn Ap Guffydd Fychan, Wales’s ‘Braveheart’ sits majestically on the castle hill and the town also commemorates other celebrated Welsh men – William Williams, Pantycelyn – the Welsh hymn writer as well as Vicar Rhys Prichard – author of ‘The Welshman’s Candle’ – a collection of verses and observations on Welsh Life.

Llandovery is also a station on The Heart of Wales Railway line (01597 822053) – a train line which runs between Shrewsbury & Swansea enabling you to access 120 miles of beautiful and varied scenery. A leaflet of ‘rail rambles’ can be downloaded from the website – and there are a variety of local pubs along the route who offer lunchtime food to coincide with train arrival and departure times.

There is a weekly Farmers Market in the Square in Llandovery on the last Saturday of the month plus Country Market selling local produce every Friday morning at the Castle Hotel.

Close to Llandovery
Dolaucothi Gold Mines (01558 650177) The mine is the only know Roman gold mine in the UK and offers you a chance to explore the lost gold mining heritage of Wales.

Black Mountain Red Kite Feeding Station, Nr Red Kite Inn, Llanddeusant (01550 740617)
Experience these beautiful birds close up. Wheelchair access.

Crychan Forest Trails (01550 720394) Crychan Forest Trails offers many miles of cycle and horse routes.

Cwm Rhaeadr, Rhandir-mwyn (0845 6040845) North of Cil-y-cwm, close to Llandovery with miles of cycle and walking routes.

Llandeilo is similarly steeped in history with Dinefwr park and castle and recently restored Newton House above the town.

Llandeilo is also for those who like a treat and to shop! The funky Cawdor Hotel is a real surprise on the main street and the town is home to Toast – both their current collection shop but a ‘factory’ shop for those hoping for a bargain. All within 100 yards is fabulous kitchenware at Peppercorn, a show room for Broadleaf Oak and designer fabrics – who needs shopping malls!

Dinefwr Park and Castle, Llandeilo, Carmarthenshire, SA19 6RT (01558 823902) Off the A40 Carmarthen – Llandovery road.

The Bridge Gallery, Cawdor Arms Hotel, Rhosmaen Street, Llandeilo, SA19 6EN (01558 822183) Open Monday to Saturday.


Close to Llandeilo
Aberglasney Gardens (01558 668998). Open everyday except Christmas. Award winning Great Glasshouse, Double Walled, Japanese and Bee Gardens. Wheelchairs are available for visitors. No dogs.

National Botanic Garden of Wales (01558 668768). Open everyday except Christmas. Wheelchair accessible and mostly undercover. Conference centre. For the children there is also the Roots and Shoots adventure zone, land train and in summer the Children’s Farm.

Both Llandovery and Llandeilo are in the Towy Valley in rural Carmarthenshire and form a gateway into the Brecon Beacons National Park

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