Carmarthen

Ancient Welsh kings held court here centuries before the Romans arrived, and that sense of deep history still permeates every cobbled street. Carmarthen claims to be Wales' oldest town - a bold statement that feels entirely believable when you're wandering past medieval buildings that have weathered countless storms.

The surrounding countryside rolls away in gentle green waves, punctuated by wooded hills like Allt Aber-deunant and Allt y Fedw. Proper hiking country this, with peaks like Bŵl-y-foel and Moelfre offering cracking views across Carmarthenshire's patchwork fields. It's not dramatic mountain scenery, but there's something deeply satisfying about these modest summits.

Archaeology buffs will appreciate Crugebolion, where ancient stones tell stories older than written records. The town itself has shed much of its tourist veneer - this feels like a real working Welsh market town, complete with proper local pubs and shops that serve residents rather than visitors.

Getting here is straightforward enough - the A40 cuts right through, connecting Cardiff and Haverfordwest. The railway station sits on the main Cardiff to Fishguard line, making car-free visits perfectly feasible.

Staying at one of the nearby parks makes perfect sense for exploring this corner of west Wales. Several glamping sites like The Welsh Farm Glamping and Llain Farm Glamping dot the countryside, offering a proper retreat after days spent walking these ancient paths. You're close enough to pop into town for supplies, but far enough out to hear only sheep and wind through the trees at night.