Llanelli sits on the River Loughor’s estuary, near the west coast of Wales and in the heart of beautiful Carmarthenshire. Ten miles from Swansea, this picturesque traditional Welsh town was historically a mining town, but more recently has become a popular tourist destination. With a wealth of natural attractions and a rich cultural heritage, it has something to offer every visitor.
The current spelling of Llanelli was changed from its anglicised version, Llanelly, in 1966, following a public campaign by locals.
Sport in LlanelliLlanelli is synonymous with rugby, and boasts two rugby union teams, the Scarlets and Llanelli RFC, both of whom play at the Parc y Scarlets Stadium.
Bowls is also a popular pastime, and Llanelli hosts the Llanelli Open Bowls Tournaments every year from July to September in Parc Howard. Formally known as the Llanelly Municipal Tournaments, the competition dates back to the 1920s.
Llanelli also has two golf courses and a snooker academy, the Terry Griffiths Matchroom, named after, and run by, the former snooker world champion, who was born and lives in the town.
Places to Visit in and Around LlanelliThe Millennium Coastal Path is a 13 mile cycle and walking path that stretches along the south coast of Carmarthenshire from Loughor to Pembrey, and offers stunning views of the neighbouring Gower Peninsula, named the UK’s first Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty in 1956.
Llanelli Wetland Centrelies about a mile to the south east of the town, and is a wetland nature reserve run by the Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust (WWT). The 450 acre site has a collection of over 600 rare birds, and offers good facilities for children, including a maze and play area as well as fun activities such as den building and pond dipping.
Llanelly House is an important historical building and a fine example of an early Georgian town house. Recently restored, and featuring a cafe, restaurant, shop and visitor centre, it offers exciting tours and an insight into Georgian family life.
North of the town centre, Parc Howard Museum and Art Gallery is a large 19th century country house set in 24 acres of parkland. Most famous for its extensive collection of Llanelli pottery, it also hosts paintings and other artworks, as well as local historical and cultural artifacts. As in Llanelly House, there are legends of a ghostly presence.
Shopping in LlanelliLlanelli has shops that cater to all tastes, with a wide range of independent shops, a number of high street chain stores and an excellent indoor market, as well as the retail parks, Parc Trostre and Parc Pemberton, a little further out of town.
Food and Drink in LlanelliLlanelli has a huge selection of restaurants, pubs and cafes, whether you’re looking for traditional Welsh dishes, fish and chips or international fine dining. Llanelli also has a long tradition of brewing, and in August hosts the annual Llanelli Beer Festival, an official CAMRA (Campaign for Real Ale) event.
Holidays in LlanelliWith an abundance of historical and natural attractions, and an exciting town centre, you are sure to find plenty to see and do in Llanelli.