‘What stands out is the accessibility’
Huge sands, fine castles and links to Wales’ most celebrated poet are some of the attractions to this often refreshingly flat stretch of coast, says Nigel Nicholas.
THE ATTRACTIONS OF the Carmarthenshire coast – its historic ports, peaceful estuaries, and glorious sandy beaches – shouldn’t be overlooked. Amroth to Pendine is wild and unspoilt, with rugged cliffs passing high above Marros Sands. And Pendine Sands are spectacular – seven miles of sandy beach where many land speed records have been set and then broken.
The town of Laugharne is famously associated with Dylan Thomas and was described by the poet as “a timeless, mild, beguiling island of a town”. Llansteffan Castle is really special too, and overlooks the Tywi Estuary. From Wharley Point, south of the castle, there’s no better place to appreciate the full extent of Carmarthen Bay, from Caldey Island near Tenby to Worms Head on the Gower Peninsula.
But what really stands out about the Wales Coast Path in Carmarthenshire is the fabulous Millennium Coastal Park where two thousand acres of former industrial wasteland was reclaimed to include the 13-mile Millennium Coastal Path. As well as walkers and cyclists the path between Pembrey Country Park and Llanelli is shared with runners, wheelchair users, families with buggies and visitors with limited ability.
A section of the Wales Coast Path I’d recommend for a great walk is from Kidwelly to Burry Port (10 miles). Kidwelly has an impressive castle and the path heads through Pembrey Forest to Cefn Sidan Sands. This is a spectacular beach which has seen many a shipwreck since the 1600s. You can then take the Millennium Coastal Path to Burry Port.