Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
DON'T MISS
NATIONAL WETLAND CENTRE
Covering 97 hectares on the northern shore of the Burry Inlet, across from the Gower Peninsula, the
National
Wetland Centre
( 01554-741087;
www.wwt.org.uk/llanelli
; Llanelli; adult/child £7.05/3.86;
9.30am-5pm Apr-Sep, 9.30am-4.30pm Oct-Mar; ) is one of Wales' most important habitats for waders and
waterfowl. The big attraction for birdwatchers is the resident population of little egret, whose numbers have in-
creased from a solitary pair in 1995 to around 400. Winter is the most spectacular season, when up to 60,000
birds converge on the salt marsh and mudflats; species include oystercatchers, greylag geese, gadwalls, widgeons,
teals and black-tailed godwits. Flashiest of all are the resident flock of nearly fluorescent pink Caribbean flamin-
gos.
There's always plenty on for the little 'uns during the school holidays. Late spring's Duckling Days are filled
with downy cuteness, while in the summer months there are canoes and bikes to borrow. There are plenty of hides
and observation points, and you can hire binoculars (£5) if you don't have your own.
Approaching from the southeast, take the A484 and turn left onto the B4304. Trains head to Llanelli from Car-
marthen (£6.40, 25 minutes) and Swansea (£4.20, 15 minutes); the centre is a 2.5-mile walk from the station.
TOP OF CHAPTER
Llandeilo
POP 2900
Set on a hill encircled by the greenest of fields, Llandeilo is little more than a handful of
narrow streets lined with grand Georgian and Victorian buildings and centred on a pictur-
esque church and graveyard. The surrounding region was once dominated by large coun-
try estates, and though they have long gone, the deer, parkland trees and agricultural char-
acter of the landscape are their legacy. The genteel appeal of such a place can't be denied,
so it's small wonder that Llandeilo's little high street is studded with fashionable shops
and eateries.
Used by many travellers as a springboard for the wilder terrain of the Brecon Beacons,
it's within a short drive of iconic Carreg Cennen castle (
Click here
)
.
Sights
Dinefwr Park & Castle
(NT;
www.nationaltrust.org.uk
; adult/child £3.20/1.80; 11am-5pm)
National Trust-run Dinefwr is a
large, landscaped estate just to the west of Llandeilo, home to fallow deer and a herd of
rare White Park cattle. Recent archaeological digs uncovered remains of a roman fort
HISTORIC BUILDING
