Llangadog

Two thousand feet above sea level, the Black Mountain foothills roll down to this working Welsh town where chapels outnumber pubs and sheep farming still matters. Llangadog sits in the upper Towy Valley, a proper rural settlement that hasn't bothered much with tourism - which is precisely its appeal.

Bryn-têg and Rhiwiau peaks loom over the town, offering serious walks for anyone willing to put the effort in. The views from up there stretch across Carmarthenshire's empty green hills, with Pen Lifau visible to the northwest. Down in the valley, Coetgea Sara and Coed Maes yr Offeiriad provide gentler forest walks through ancient Welsh woodland.

St. Cadog's dominates the town centre, its medieval stones testament to centuries of worship in these parts. Less obvious but equally atmospheric are Providence Hall and Tabor Chapel, reminders of the nonconformist tradition that shaped so much of rural Wales. The Heart of Wales railway line stops at nearby Llanwrda, connecting this isolated corner to Swansea in one direction and Shrewsbury in the other.

Local camping and glamping options have multiplied in recent years, from basic sites like Glynmarch Farm to more luxurious setups at Ravenscroft Retreats. Most are small-scale affairs run by farming families, offering a genuine taste of Welsh rural life rather than manicured holiday park experiences. The surrounding countryside begs for exploration - empty lanes wind between hill farms, while the River Towy provides excellent fishing and walking opportunities. Carmarthen lies thirty minutes south for proper shops and restaurants.