Velfrey Vineyard

Velfrey Vineyard sits in the rolling countryside just outside Whitland, where you'll find rows of vines doing their best against the Welsh weather. It's a working vineyard - properly ambitious stuff for this part of Carmarthenshire - and if you're staying at any of the nearby parks like Cowpots Camping or Woodland Vale, it makes for an interesting afternoon detour.

What actually happens here depends on the season. You can walk the vineyard itself, see how they're managing to grow decent grapes in South Wales (which is more successful than you'd think), and most likely pick up a bottle or two of their own wine. The staff know their stuff and won't bore you with pretentious nonsense - just straightforward chat about what grows here and why.

It works well if you're into wine or food tourism, though it's not a full day out. Families with older kids might find it interesting for an hour, but toddlers will get restless fast - there's not much entertainment beyond looking at plants. Walkers passing through the area could easily combine it with a countryside ramble.

Do ring ahead before you visit - opening hours aren't fixed, and you'll want to know if they're doing any tastings that day. It's a proper working operation, not a theme park. The nearest town, Whitland, is small but functional if you need supplies. If you're camping at one of the holiday parks dotted around within five kilometres, it's certainly worth the short drive.