What to do when it’s Raining in Carmarthenshire – here are some suggestions from Carmarthenshire Tourist Association
Come rain or shine, there’s always a lot to do in Carmarthenshire!
Family Fun
Gwili Railway, Bronwydd, Carmarthen. The only steam standard railway operating in South West Wales and a living reminder of a Great Western Railway branch line set in the breathtaking Carmarthenshire hills. The trip down memory lane starts at Bronwydd Arms Station, and the steam train follows the route originally taken by the Carmarthen to Aberystwyth line to a delightful halt at Danycoed. A round trip will take approximately one hour, but you can travel on the train all day for the price of your ticket.
Tel: 01267 238213 Please check website for train departure times from Bronwydd Arms.
Dinefwr Park & Castle, Llandeilo. Dinefwr is home to Newton House, the centrepiece of the estate and following extensive remodelling last year, visitors can experience new displays allowing them to see and hear about Edwardian life in the servants’ quarters. On a dry day, you can also explore the eighteenth Century landscape park enclosing a medieval deer park with more than 100 fallow deer and a small herd of Dinefwr White Park Cattle.
Opening hours: 11.00 – 17.00 Tel: 01558 824512 / Dynefwr
Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust, National Wetlands Centre, Bynea, Llanelli
Stretching over 450 acres on the Burry Inlet, this magnificent mosaic of lakes, pools and lagoons is home to countless wild species as diverse as dragonflies and Little Egrets. Plus over 650 of some of the world’s most spectacular ducks, geese, swans and flamingos, many so tame they feed from the hand. Even on a rainy day, there is a lot to see and do – families can have hours of fun in the indoor, interactive Millennium Discovery Centre, or relax in the comfort of the Estuary Café and enjoy delicious home cooked food, panoramic views and amazing wildlife.
Open: daily, except 24 & 25 Dec, 9.30 – 17.00 (18.00 in summer)
Tel: 01554 741087
National Botanic Garden of Wales, Llanarthne
Since its opening in May 2000, the National Botanic Garden of Wales has grown and matured, providing a beautiful setting for visitors to discover many new sensory pleasures. There’s something for everyone, come rain or shine, from the peaceful surroundings of the JapaneseGarden, to the surround sound experience of Theatre Botanica with its revolving platform and specially-commissioned film celebrating the world of plants. There are lakeside walks and prairie walks, the unique DoubleWalledGarden which will be host to the brand new tropical glasshouse in 2007, and don’t forget the Great Glasshouse – the spectacular dome is the largest single span glasshouse in the world, which protects and conserves some of the most endangered plants on the planet.
There is also a shop, homemade meals are available all day at ‘Seasons in the Garden’ restaurant, and a Mediterranean cafe in the Great Glasshouse.
Open: 10.00 – 18.00 (March – October), 10.00 – 16.30 (November – February)
National Botanic Garden of Wales
Museums
Carmarthenshire County Museum, Abergwili
At Abergwili, near Carmarthen (on the A40), this is the museum of Carmarthenshire’s past. Displays include the Roman’s, furniture, paintings & more. The museum is set in parkland.
Carmarthen Museum is closed till early 2021 for renovation
Admission: Free. Museum website
Parc Howard Museum & Art Gallery, Llanelli
Explore Llanelli’s past in Parc Howard, a historic building set in a lovely park. The displays include a superb collection of pottery and local paintings. Parc Howard website
Kidwelly Industrial Museum, Kidwelly
A unique opportunity to see how tinplate was made. The original tinplate works are set in pretty countryside. Other exhibits show Carmarthenshire’s industrial past. Located near Kidwelly, off the A484 Kidwelly by-pass. Industrial Museum website
National Wool Museum, Llandysul
Discover the story behind Wales’ beautiful cloths in the heart of the countryside.
Opening Times:
Apr – Sept 10.00 – 17.00 (daily)
Oct – Mar 10.00 – 17.00 (Tues – Sat)
Admission: Free
West Wales Museum of Childhood, Llangeler
A unique collection of childhood memories displayed in traditional Welsh stone buildings. See toys from the past, relax in the tea-room, or browse in the souvenir shop. Admission to tea room & gift shop is free.
Opening Times: 10.00 – 18.00 every day except Wednesday (& open daily between July, August & Sept).
Arts & Crafts
Dylan Thomas Boathouse, Dylans Walk, Laugharne
This is where Dylan spent the last four years of his life and is now a tribute and memorial to the writer. Includes visual presentations, bookshop and a tea room.
Opening times: all year round
Oriel Myrddin Gallery, Church Lane, Carmarthen
Contemporary craft & regional art gallery. Changing art & craft exhibitions, gifts, cards & magazines available, and regular activities take place for all ages. It is worth checking their website for workshops. Oriel Myrddyn
Opening Times: Mon – Sat 10.00 – 17.00
King Street Gallery, King Street, Carmarthen
A beautiful exhibition space, close to Oriel Myrddin, overlooking a lively historic street of unique shops in this old Welsh capital. The gallery offers a wide range of original and affordable artworks and occasionally hosts sole shows by visiting artists.
Opening Times: Monday to Saturday 10.00 – 17.00 King Street Gallery
Jonathon Cox Ceramics, Peniel, Carmarthen
Artist who uses ceramics as his medium.
Colourful landscapes and flower studies drawn by the unusual method of ” tubelining”. Also creative interpretations of the human face in his unique “facepots”. Watch the artist at work in the workshop. Jonathan Cox Ceramics
Theatre & Cinema
Y Ffwrnes, Llanelli
Tel: 0845 226 3508 Whats on at Ffwrnes
The Lyric, King Street, Carmarthen
Tel: 0845 226 3509 Whats on a the Lyric
Ammanford Miners Theatre, Wind Street, Ammanford
Tel: 0845 226 3510 Whats on at The Miners
The above are open all year for films, concerts, live theatre and entertainment, and licensed bars.
Please check with individual establishments for times & costs.
Shopping
Carmarthen Town’s Market
Carmarthen is a bustling, prosperous country town, especially on Market Days which are on Wednesdays and Saturdays. Quaint alleyways, riverside setting and modern town centre that blends with the medieval castle.
St Clears Crafts
Comfortably set in the farming country west of Carmarthen. Shopping and attractions include the West Wales Centre for the Crafts.
Llandeilo’s boutiques
Llandeilo is a classy country town on the river Tywi. An unexpected shopping hot-spot, it boasts a tempting array of fashionable galleries, boutiques and places to eat & drink.
Other
Malindi Natural Healing Centre, Cynwyl Elfed, Carmarthen
Activities include Healing, Meditation and Yoga, and they cater for individuals and group bookings of up to 30 people. Malindi helps people of all ages and walks of life to find ways to deal with too much stress, illness and also to show how to develop the mind and body.
Nearby Attractions
Oakwood Theme Park, Narberth, Pembrokeshire
A fun-filled family day out. As well as the more exhilarating rides for grown-ups and older children, there are many rides and activities for young children – including Tree Tops family roller-coaster, Snake River Falls, Brer Rabbit train ride, mini golf, pirate ship, boating lake, bobsleigh, Plane Crazy family ride, tractor rides, carousel and much more…
Brecon Mountain Railway, Pant Station, Merthyr Tydfil
Travel in one of the all-weather observation coaches behind a vintage steam locomotive through beautiful scenery into the BreconBeaconsNational Park along the full length of the Taf Fechan Reservoir to Dol-y-Gaer on one of the most popular railways in Wales. On the return to Pant, you can visit the workshops where old steam locomotives are repaired. There is a licensed tearoom and souvenirs available.
Heatherton World of Activities
A large sport and leisure attraction, providing a multitude of fun and exciting activities for all ages. Activities range from Karting, Bumper Boats and Paintball to Archery, High Ropes and Zorbing. Free admission and dog-friendly policy. So come and join in the action and explore a world of activities…
LC Waterpark
For a great family day out, swim, surf and slide at Wales’ premier Waterpark! Try out the Masterblaster, lazy river, wave pool and Volcano Bay and experience the waves on the LC’s Boardrider. You can even reach new heights on our 30ft Climbing Wall or swing, slide, jump and play in the 4 storey interactive play area. With a state of the art gym and relaxing spa area, we’ve got it covered!
Dan-yr-Ogof, the National Showcaves Centre for Wales.
Voted Britain’s Finest Natural Wonder, discover and explore the twisting passageways and great caverns. Come face to face with over 220 life-sized dinosaur models, and visit the gentle giants at the Shire Horse Centre – attractions above and below ground. Open March 23rd, 7 days a week until November 3rd 2013, 10.00am – 3.00pm (last admittance). 1 ticket, 10 attractions! Just 25 minutes North of Junction 45 on the M4.
SatNav – SA9 1GJ.
Folly Farm
160 acres of fun with farm animals, vintage fairground and adventure playground
Blue Lagoon, Narberth
Aqua Park – All weather, all year round