Explore Locally

The castle has a long history dating back to the 13th century with archaeological evidence that the Romans and prehistoric peoples occupied the site earlier. The Welsh Princes of Deheubarth built the first castle at Carreg Cennen, the remains today dates to King Edward I’s period of castle building in Wales. There is a Prehistoric cave dwelling that runs beneath Carreg Cennen Castle so you will need a torch. There are tea rooms to take refreshments and a farm with award winning Longhorn cattle.

http://www.carregcennencastle.com/

Perched on a hilltop above the Tywi Valley, occupying a significant position in Welsh . In the 12th century it was in the possession of Lord Rhys, ruler of ancient South Wales who created peace and stability and a period of Welsh culture, music and poetry. Sadly, there were conficts over succession due to the many sons of Lord Rhys and eventually the castle fell into English control and even Owain Glyndŵr’s attempt to regain it back in 1403.

https://cadw.gov.wales/visit/places-to-visit/dinefwr-castle

Standing within the Dinefwr estate is a Grade II listed house which was the home of the dependents of The Lord Rhys. It is now cared for by the National Trust and is well worth a visit as it dates back to 1660 and was built by Edward Rice. The current gothic facade dates from the 1850’s but many of the original features can still be seen. There is a beautiful tea room and wonderful gardens as well as a second hand book shop.

https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/wales/dinefwr

Explore the only known Roman gold mine in Britain. The unique mines are located in the wooded hillsides of the Cambrian mountains overlooking the beautiful Cothi valley. They are also known as the Ogofau Gold Mine. These are the only mines for Welsh gold other than those of the Dolgellau gold belt and daily tours are available 

https://www.visitwales.com/attraction/visitor-centre/dolaucothi-gold-mines-1237509

These are glacial lakes and Llyn y Fan Fawr is situated beneath Picws Du mountain and is well known for its’s Welsh Folklore known as “the lady of the lake” and her sons known as “the physicians of Mydffai and became the physicians of the English royal court.  There is a large, natural lake which lies at the foot of Fan Brcheininog, the highest peak of the Black Mountain range within the Brecon Beacons National Park and was created as a result of glacial action. The lake can be visited through a combination of mountain walks and there are five walking routes to choose from.

https://getoutside.ordnancesurvey.co.uk/adventures/llyn-y-fan-fach-and-llyn-y-fan-fawr-circular-walk/

https://www.discovercarmarthenshire.com/media/2433/llyn-y-fan-eng.pdf

Llyn Brianne is a man made reservoir in the headwaters of the river Towy. It was constructed by Wimpy in the 1960’s and 1970’s in order to regulate the flow in the Towy to support water abstraction at Nantgaradeg in the lower reaches of the river near Carmarthen, providing water to the Felindre water treatment . The treated water is piped to a large area of South Wales. Fanog Farm was taken over by the forestry commission whilst the reservoir was being constructed and allowed to become derelict when the reservoir levels become low, the ruins can sometimes be seen and provide a view of Welsh life in previous times, it would have been a beautiful place to live but somewhat remote.

https://www.visitmidwales.co.uk/things-to-do/llyn-brianne-reservoir-and-dam-p1735481

The gardens are well known from the program ‘A garden lost in time’ which followed the restoration and has a fully restored Elizabethan Cloister Garden that is the only surviving garden of it’s kind in the U.K. There are 10 acres of many different styles of gardens, from formal to exotic and the fully restored ground floor, grade II listed mansion which holds many different exhibitions and events.

The tearooms overlook the pool garden and also has a terrace which is a sun trap in summer you can enjoy lunch or a quintessential tea with homemade cakes and pastries.

https://aberglasney.org/

Henrhyd Falls is located in the Brecon Beacons National Park and is the tallest waterfall in South Wales with a 90 feet drop. It lies on National Trust land and is truly spectacular, especially after a period of heavy rain. There is a small car park north of the car park and depending on your fitness levels it is between 5-15 minute walk to the falls and you need to pass between two wooden swing gates and follow a gravel path that descends steeply into the woods. There is a wooden footbridge and some wooden steps that will lead you directly in front of the waterfall around 10 metres above the base of the waterfall. There is also a walk which is 5-6Km and takes around two and half hours to complete. Please note, there are no toilet facilities at Henrhyd Falls

https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/wales/bannau-brycheiniog-brecon-beacons/henrhyd-falls-and-nant-llech-walk