Carmarthen is said to bethe oldest town in Wales, and has an incredibly rich history, dating back topre-Roman times. The county town ofCarmarthenshire, it sits on the River Towy, eightmiles north of beautiful Carmarthen Bay and itsfamous beaches. With an abundance of historical sites, an extremely diverseshopping experience, and pubs and restaurants galore,Carmarthen is a place you will remember for a longtime after your visit.
Sport in Carmarthen
Typical of many Welsh towns,Carmarthen has a strong sporting tradition, withtwo rugby union teams, Carmarthen Quins andCarmarthen Athletic, and a rugby league team, CPCBears. The town also boasts its own football team,Carmarthen Town FC, and an athletic team,Carmarthen Harriers. There are two golf courses inthe town, while Carmarthen Leisure Centre offersfacilities for a wide range of sports, including swimming, tennis, squash,gymnastics and martial arts. Carmarthen Park alsooffers sporting facilities, most notably a cycling velodrome that has been incontinuous use since its opening in 1900.
Shopping in Carmarthen
From small independent traders to major high streetchains, cobbled medieval streets to modern shopping centres,Carmarthen offers an enticing mix of old and new. Takeyour time to explore the winding lanes and alleys of the old town and itscharacter-filled selection of independent shops, or visit St. Catherine’s Walkand Merlin’s Walk for a more contemporary shopping experience. In the towncentre, Guildhall Square, Red and Blue Streets, Lammas Street and Dark Gate areall brimming with shops and cafes nestled in amongst historicalbuildings.
Food and Drink in Carmarthen
Carmarthen has arestaurant or cafe to please every palate, from traditional Welsh cooking tothe most exotic international cuisine. For traditional fare little can beatenjoying tasty dishes in the local pubs whilst sampling a selection of locallybrewed beers. You should make a point of visiting Carmarthen Market, whichdates to Roman times, and offers an excellent selection of localproduce.
Things to See and do in Carmarthen
At one time a Roman fort, named Moridunum, the towntoday has one of the few remaining Roman amphitheatres. CarmarthenCastle was built on the site of a Norman castle that was destroyed in 1215.
Carmarthen was one of thefirst medieval walled towns in Wales, and features many other historicbuildings and monuments, such as the Guildhall, Picton Monument, St. PetersChurch, Carmarthen Bridge and Pont King Morganbridge.
You can learn aboutCarmarthen’s fascinating history at theCarmarthenshire County Museum in Abergwili, a shortdrive or bus ride from the town centre. Set in beautiful gardens, and featuringartefacts from every time period, from mammoth bones to Roman coins, Welshdressers and local pottery, it is well worth a visit.
If you follow the river a few miles to the south toCarmarthen Bay you will find several famousbeaches to explore, such as Pendine Sands and Cefn Sidan, and also come acrossthe superbly preserved Norman castle at Kidwelly.
Visit Carmarthen
With a heritage to rival anything in Wales, a hugevariety of shops, restaurants and pubs, and an idyllic surrounding countryside,this medieval town offers an unforgettable experience.
