Meander Through Sleepy Towns and Rolling Fields in Carmarthen
- The impressive Laugharne, Kidwelly and Llansteffan castles
- Dylan Thomas heritage sites
- Browns, where he would write/drink for long stretches daily (the stool he sat at is still there)
- Saint Martin's Church, a beautiful building where he is buried with his wife Caitlin
- National Botanic Gardens Wales, situated near Llanarthney in the Towy Valley
- Pendine Sands, where Sir Malcolm Campbell set the land speed record in 1927
- Fine views over Laugharne and the Taf Estuary from Wharley Point
Nature Hikes with Carmarthen Walking Holidays
As your route meets Iron Age forts, long stretches of secluded coast and sleepy villages scattered along the path, you'll find yourself walking through a quintessential Welsh rural landscape, where the day to day is kept at a more relaxed and gentle pace.
The coastline often diverts inland to woodland area, which in spring gives way to fields of wild flowers that lift the scenery and overrun the paths and stone walls. The sandy tracks you follow allow panoramic views to where the Tâf estuary meets the oncoming sea - from the east side of Carmarthen bay. In fact, you have an enviable vantage point of this very spot from the balcony of the Dylan Thomas Boathouse in Laugharne.
Path Walkthrough
From Amroth the path gently zig-zags around the slopes of Marros Beacon, before dropping along the vast stretches of beach at Pendine Sands. At Saundersfoot the route turns inland (to avoid a large firing range) before meeting Laugharne, where there is a short, scenic stretch of coast before forced back inland towards St. Clears. There’s a glorious stretch of sand (Scott's Bay) beside the route toward Llansteffan – a small diversion off the official coast path.
From there the route skirts the sea, running inland where through Carmarthen your path is comprised of dense woodland, fields, farms and villages until approaching Ferrypoint. From Ferrypoint, the path turns inland again for a short stretch where you can catch glimpses of the Gwendraeth estuary around Kidwelly. Pass The National Wetland Centre (popular with birdwatchers) on your route into Llanelli.
Our Carmarthen Bay Itineraries
Amroth to Penclawdd
Distance: 74 miles (119km)
- Good standard accommodation at a mixture of guesthouses, farmhouses, local inns and B&Bs with en-suite or private facilities wherever possible
- Breakfast
- Luggage transfers
- Personal transfer between accommodation and path that form a part of our standard package
- Route planning
- Walk pack including Trail Guide and mapping, itinerary, accommodation directions and route notes, lunch and dinner information, restaurant recommendations and holiday planning details
You choose which day you would like your holiday to start on. We will book your holiday in accordance with your requirements.
Our Carmarthen Bay holidays are available to walk March to October.
The weather along the west of Wales is prone to wet weather, with short outbursts of rainfall a possibility throughout the course of the year.
A large stretch of Pendine Sands will be closed intermittently due to MOD activity, to plan the best time to visit the area consult the weekly forecast.
Westbound travellers by train can change at Swansea for Saundersfoot, other train services typically have to make a change at Bristol Parkway for Swansea.
The nearest railway station to Penclawdd is Gowerton, easily reached by bus from the village. Here, services head westbound towards Llanelli (where they continue to either West Wales or to Shrewsbury) and eastbound towards Swansea.
There are regular services between Carmarthen, Cardiff and London towards Milford Haven.
Carmarthen Bay Client Reviews
5/5 based on 6 reviews
Very good and would recommend
Graham Ford - September 2023
Celtic Trails plan the itinerary according to our wishes where possible. It is very reliable and they choose good accommodation and the best taxi services. the long distance hikes take us through places we would never see otherwise. We chose this walk as part of our Wales Coast Path Walk. Despite some boring road walking, the spectacular views are a big reward. It is always inspiring to meet other walkers.
Siân and Rolf - June 2023
Better than other companies. Very good communication. Very well organised. Top quality walking walk in excellent format. Great combo of beaches and cliffs.
Clare & Steve Rothery - June 2021
Celtic Trails are better than other companies - very good and comprehensive.
Nick - October 2019
We loved the natural beauty of the countryside and the coastal environment. We are very well and were surprised and delighted by the high quality of the food, even in small villages. The people we met were friendly and helpful. The accommodations were comfortable. We would recommend Celtic Trails to a friend.
Sarah & Susan - September 2019
Always first class service and excellent accommodation from Celtic Trails.
Anon. - June 2019
Local Points Of Interest
The Wales Coast Path
The Carmarthen Bay coast path forms part of the 870 miles of Wales open for discovery along the coast. From here, your holiday can either be extended from where the trail meets the end of the Pembrokeshire Coast Path or the beginning of the Gower & Swansea Bay Path.
From Carmarthenshire, Pembrokeshire offers a similar route across long stretches of sand, albeit with fewer diversions inland, more clifftop walking and harbour towns. From here, follow the path onward to the Gower & Swansea Bay - home to miles of glorious beaches and the busy seaside city of Swansea.
Laugharne
Dotted around Laugharne are the old haunts and landmarks that shaped the works of Dylan Thomas. Overlooking the Tâf Estuary, the old boathouse and writing room is beautifully preserved. The bar he frequented has kept his usual spot and there are events connected to the man’s life throughout the calendar.
Aside from its most famous resident, Laugharne - a popular destination in its own right - is home to beautiful Georgian townhouses as well as its 12th century castle, stationed alongside the Tâf Estuary.
Pendine Sands
The world land speed record was broken five times on these sands between 1924 and 1927. The village nearby is home to the Pendine Museum of Speed, dedicated to the numerous land-speed attempts taken along the sands. Babs, the land speed record car in which J. G. Parry-Thomas made his final (and fatal) 1927 attempt at the record is exhibited in the museum.
The beach stretches along 7 miles of shore around Carmarthen Bay. During weekdays (until approx. 3:30pm) most of the beach is off-limits due to military activities, regularly updated information on public access can be found here.