Carmarthen

Market day brings this ancient county town properly to life. Carmarthen claims to be Wales' oldest town, and wandering through its medieval streets, you can feel the centuries pressing in around you. The River Towy curves past the town centre, creating lovely walks along its banks when you need a break from the shops and cafes.

St Mary Magdalene stands as the town's grandest church, its tower visible from miles around the surrounding countryside. The building tells Carmarthen's story better than any guidebook - layers of history built one on top of the other. Down quieter lanes, you'll find St Michael offering a more intimate glimpse into the area's religious heritage.

Carmarthenshire's rolling hills stretch in every direction from here. This is proper farming country, with narrow lanes threading between fields of sheep and ancient stone walls. The market town atmosphere means decent pubs for lunch and independent shops that haven't been swallowed by chains yet.

Getting here is straightforward enough - the A40 runs right past, connecting Carmarthen to both Swansea and the M4. Regular trains from Cardiff take about an hour, making it accessible without a car, though you'll want wheels to explore the countryside properly.

Staying at one of the holiday parks dotted around the area makes perfect sense. Laugharne Park Holiday Resort and Parcglas Pods offer different styles of accommodation, while smaller sites like The Marsh Campsite keep things simple. You're close enough to nip into town for supplies or a proper meal, but far enough out to enjoy the peace of the Welsh countryside between adventures.