Things to do in Carmarthen
Carmarthen has Roman roots and is one of the oldest towns in all of Wales. It’s no surprise then that there are many legends about this old sea fort town, some including Merlin the Magician who appears in old Welsh poetry!
Today there’s still plenty of magic to be found in the attractions here. For a day away from our Kiln Park, Lydstep Beach, and Penally Court holiday parks, here are lots of interesting things to do in Carmarthen.
Laugharne Castle
This medieval castle is one of the best things to do in Carmarthen.
Its ruins stand against the beautiful greenery and rugged coastline where the River Coran meets the sea. You can park up near the main castle entrance, or at a pay-and-display car park at Green Banks. On foot, you’ll be able to roam the grounds fairly easily and access the castle with a ticket that’s pretty reasonably priced too.
Learn all there is to know about the Tudor history, battles, and even the poet Dylan Thomas’ connection to the castle with the on-site exhibition. You’ll be pleased to know that most of the castle has disabled access apart from the tower. Dogs are more than welcome to come along for the adventure too, so the whole family can get involved!
When you’re done exploring, pop to the gift shop for a souvenir.
Carmarthenshire Museum
This free-to-enter county museum has had over £1 million invested to restore the exterior of this old bishop’s palace building. Inside, you’ll find everything from millenia-old archaeological finds, fossils, and Roman coins to Egyptian pottery and Victorian paintings.
When you’ve had your fill of Welsh history via the permanent and temporary exhibits, pop to Stacey’s cafe, serving up delicious tea and cakes. Dogs are welcome inside!
Bishop’s Park
Wrapping around the Carmarthenshire Museum you’ll notice the picturesque Bishop’s Park, a perfect blend of nature and history. It’s free to enter and is open every day of the year. There’s free parking, too, plus most of the park is inclusive with wheelchair-friendly pathways throughout.
You can spot wildlife in the woodland area or the oxbow lake with a chance to see otters, coots, and herons to name just a few! Conservation and preservation of history are central to these gardens, so you’ll find pollinator-friendly gardens and lots of mature trees with information boards dotted around the grounds.
Stop for something to eat in the cafe, or bring a picnic to enjoy on one of the many benches.
Gwili Railway
From Bronwydd Arms Railway Station you can venture through the Welsh countryside on an old-fashioned steam train, run entirely by volunteers! The Gwili Railway is one of the best-preserved railway lines in the UK, with journeys taking you through picturesque hills, farmland, and woods.
For unique days out in Carmarthen, take a circular ride in real 1950s carriages pulled by a steam train. The trip lasts around 1.5 hoursand everyone is welcome on board, with wheelchair access to the station! For a few pounds extra, enjoy a cream tea in your seat as you enjoy a slower pace of travel.
Carmarthen Roman Amphitheatre
For a taste of truly Roman places to visit in Carmarthen, visit the 2nd-century Roman Amphitheatre that was excavated in 1968 and 1970. It’s one of the only examples here in Britain! Although much of it is still buried underground, you can see enough of the ancient walls to see how the arena and seating would have been laid out. It lies next to the main road so it's easy to access, plus there’s signage to help you learn more.
The Warren Restaurant
In the heart of the town, you’ll find The Warren, an award-winning restaurant that serves up fresh, locally-sourced, wholesome meals with a focus on sustainable, organic farming.
Just like a rabbit’s warren, its interior feels snug and cosy with a mix of rustic farmhouse furniture and contemporary dishes. You’ll be spoilt for choice with lunch, dinner, and Sunday menus overflowing with classics such as roast dinners, curries and burgers.
It’s ideal if you want to pop in for a hearty plate of food, but you’ll need to book ahead of time as it gets busy!
Florentino’s
If your heart is calling out for pizza and pasta, then Florentino’s offers an authentic Italian experience with a relaxing vibe.
You can order your food to eat inside the cosy restaurant or alfresco on the patio. Their delicious menu includes everything you’d expect from a traditional Italian eatery — platters of olives and bread, pasta, seafood, steaks, and wood-fired pizzas. It’d be rude not to finish up with gelato or tiramisu!
You’ll find it in an old Welsh longhouse in the heart of the town. We’d recommend booking to avoid disappointment.
Carmarthen Market
Traditionally, Carmarthen is a market town with a market dating back over 800 years. Today, you’ll find the market open nearly every day inside the market hall with a mix of stalls and seasonal offerings throughout the year.
There’s such a wide range of sellers under one roof! While you’re here, you can find yourself some new clothes, get a fancy new haircut, and buy tonight’s caravan dinner at the butcher’s and cheese shops. There are card shops, craft emporiums, and even a place to buy tarot cards. There's no wonder the market is still thriving centuries on!
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Important information
*New holiday homes from £29,995 – UPDATED 29 August 2024
*Holiday home price is based on a new 3-bedroom ABI Horizon holiday home and includes siting, connections and standard accessories.
Price excludes 2024 site fees, running costs and add-ons requested at point of sale. Subject to status and availability.
As at 29 August 2024, price is available at selected parks Blue Dolphin, Craig Tara, Cleethorpes Beach, Caister, Combe Haven, Far Grange, Greenacres, Golden Sands, Haggerston, Orchards, and Quay West. Price can be withdrawn at any time.
Images are shown for representational purposes. Access to holiday home is subject to park opening times.
Park cannot be used as a permanent residence. Haven Leisure Ltd is registered in England (No. 01968698) and is a FCA appointed representative of Bourne Leisure Limited (t/a Haven). Bourne Leisure Ltd is registered in England (No. 04011660) and is authorised and regulated by the FCA (Financial Services Register No. 312847) as a credit broker and insurance distributor. Registered office: One Park Lane, Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire, HP2 4YL. We may receive commission from the finance provider if you enter into an agreement with them.
Pre-owned holiday homes from £14,995 – UPDATED 31 JULY 2024 *Holiday home price is based on a pre-owned holiday home and includes siting, connections and standard accessories.
Price excludes 2024 site fees, running costs and add-ons requested at point of sale. Subject to status and availability.
As at 31 July 2024, price is available at Blue Dolphin, Caister, Cleethorpes Beach, Combe Haven, Craig Tara, Far Grange, Greenacres, Golden Sands, Haggeston, Orchards, Quay West, Skegness and Wild Duck.
Images are shown for representational purposes. Access to holiday home is subject to park opening times.
Park cannot be used as a permanent residence. Haven Leisure Ltd is registered in England (No. 01968698) and is a FCA appointed representative of Bourne Leisure Limited (t/a Haven). Bourne Leisure Ltd is registered in England (No. 04011660) and is authorised and regulated by the FCA (Financial Services Register No. 312847) as a credit broker and insurance distributor. Registered office: One Park Lane, Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire, HP2 4YL. We may receive commission from the finance provider if you enter into an agreement with them.
Site fees from as little as £150 a month with Let2offset at Lydstep Beach
Let2offset is a contractual lettings product that offers eligible owners a guaranteed letting income at a preferential rate (calculated each year) in exchange for a stipulated number of letting breaks. It also allows eligible owners to pay their site fees and receive their letting income in 12 equal monthly instalments; the monthly site fee amount charged by Haven will be after deduction of the letting income.
“Site fees from as little as £150 a month with Let2offset” is available at Lydstep Beach. The letting income received will vary by make, model and location. The monthly site fee payment does not include running costs e.g. utilities, rates & insurance. Offer is subject to availability.
"Site fees from as little as £150 a month with Let2offset” is applicable to new customer purchases of new Atlas Sahara 3 Bed or equivalent or superior grade holiday home purchases made through Haven where customers have also signed up to Haven’s Let2offset contract. It is not applicable to private sales and cannot be used in conjunction with our free Site Fee promotion. This offer is available at Lydstep Beach only and applies when letting a new Atlas Sahara 3 Bed holiday home (or equivalent or superior grade) for 15 weeks.
An example of how “Site fees from as little as £150 a month with Let2offset” operates under Let2offset is the purchase of an Atlas Sahara 3 Bed holiday home at Lydstep Beach with a monthly site fee of £899.00 (includes purchasing discount of £29) and monthly letting income of £719.00. The monthly difference equates to £151 which will be charged to the owner's account monthly; to meet the site fee payment of £150 per month, an additional credit of £1 per month will be applied to the owner’s account. Both letting income and site fees are subject to yearly pricing reviews and the monthly site fee costs and letting income shown in the example are based on 2024 figures.
Modelled assumptions on expected annual site fee and letting income charges over the 7-year lettable life of the Atlas Sahara 3 Bed indicate that under Let2offset it is anticipated that these customers will continue to receive a monthly credit during this period, however, this is not guaranteed. The modelled assumptions are based on the historical performance of Haven over the past 5 years of trading.
Images are shown for representational purposes. Access to holiday home is subject to park opening times.
Park cannot be used as a permanent residence. Haven Leisure Ltd is registered in England (No. 01968698) and is a FCA appointed representative of Bourne Leisure Limited (t/a Haven). Bourne Leisure Ltd is registered in England (No. 04011660) and is authorised and regulated by the FCA (Financial Services Register No. 312847) as a credit broker and insurance distributor. Registered office: One Park Lane, Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire, HP2 4YL. We may receive commission from the finance provider if you enter into an agreement with them.
Let2offset - make no site fee payments until 2031
Let2offset is a contractual lettings product that offers eligible owners a guaranteed letting income at a preferential rate (calculated each year) in exchange for a stipulated number of letting breaks. It also allows eligible owners to pay their site fees and receive their letting income in 12 equal monthly instalments; the monthly site fee amount charged by Haven will be after deduction of the letting income.
‘Make no site fee payments when using Let2offset until 2031’ is available at 33 Haven parks excluding Burnham, Cardigan View, Far Grange, Garreg Wen, Lydstep Beach, Riviere Sands and Seaview. The letting income received will vary by make, model and location. The monthly site fee payment does not include running costs e.g. utilities, rates & insurance.
“Make no site fee payments when using Let2offset until 2031” is applicable to new and existing customer purchases of new Atlas Sahara 3 Bed or equivalent or superior grade holiday home purchases made through Haven where customers have also signed up to Haven’s Let2offset contract. It is not applicable to private sales and cannot be used in conjunction with our free Site Fee promotion. It is available across 40% of eligible Parks and applies when letting a new Atlas Sahara 3 Bed holiday home (or equivalent or superior grade for 15 weeks.
An example of how “Make no site fee payments when using Let2offset until 2031” operates under Let2offset is the purchase of an Atlas Sahara 3 Bed holiday home at Primrose Valley with a monthly site fee of £585.00 (includes purchasing discount of £45) and monthly letting income of £803.67. The monthly difference equates to £218.67, which will be credited to the owner's account. Both letting income and site fees are subject to yearly pricing reviews and the monthly site fee costs and letting income shown in the example are based on 2024 figures.
Modelled assumptions on expected annual site fee and letting income charges over the 7-year lettable life of the Atlas Sahara 3 Bed indicate that under Let2offset it is anticipated that these customers will continue to receive a monthly credit during this period, however, this is not guaranteed. The modelled assumptions are based on the historical performance of Haven over the past 5 years of trading.
Images are shown for representational purposes. Access to holiday home is subject to park opening times.
Park cannot be used as a permanent residence. Haven Leisure Ltd is registered in England (No. 01968698) and is a FCA appointed representative of Bourne Leisure Limited (t/a Haven). Bourne Leisure Ltd is registered in England (No. 04011660) and is authorised and regulated by the FCA (Financial Services Register No. 312847) as a credit broker and insurance distributor. Registered office: One Park Lane, Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire, HP2 4YL. We may receive commission from the finance provider if you enter into an agreement with them.