Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
WORTH A TRIP
KIDWELLY CASTLE
The small town of Kidwelly, at the mouth of the River Gwendraeth Fach, is dominated by the impressive pigeon-
inhabited remains of Kidwelly Castle, a forbidding grey eminence that rises above a narrow waterway dotted with
gliding swans. It was founded by the Normans in 1106, but most of the system of towers and curtain walls was
built in the 13th century in reaction to Welsh uprisings. If it looks at all familiar, that may be because it featured
in the opening scene of Monty Python and the Holy Grail.
Trains head to Kidwelly from Carmarthen (£3.60, 16 minutes) and Swansea (£6.60, 34 minutes).
TOP OF CHAPTER
Carmarthen (Caerfyrddin)
POP 14,200
Carmarthenshire's county town is a place of legend and ancient provenance, but it's not
the kind of place you'll feel inclined to linger in. It's a handy transport and shopping hub,
but there's not a lot to see. The Romans built a town here, complete with a fort and amphi-
theatre. A couple of solid walls and a few crumbling towers are all that remains of Car-
marthen's Norman castle, which was largely destroyed in the Civil War.
Most intriguingly, Carmarthen is reputed to be the birthplace of the most famous wizard
of them all (no, not Harry Potter) - Myrddin of the Arthurian legends, better known in
English as Merlin. An oak tree planted in 1660 for Charles II's coronation came to be
called 'Merlin's Tree' and was linked to a prophecy that its death would mean curtains for
the town. The tree died in the 1970s and the town, while a little down at heel, is still
standing. Pieces of the tree are kept under glass at the Carmarthenshire County Museum.
Sights & Activities
Carmarthen Market
( www.carmarthenmarket.co.uk ; Market Way; 9.30am-4.30pm Mon-Sat) There's been a market here
since Roman times and in 1180 it was given a royal charter. The main indoor market has
an edgy modern feel and sells a bit of everything, from produce to antiques. On Wednes-
day and Saturday the general market spills out onto Red St, while on Friday there's a
farmers market.
MARKET
Oriel Myrddin
GALLERY
 
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