county town and community in Carmarthenshire, Wales

Carmarthen (Welsh: Caerfyrddin) is the county town of Carmarthenshire in South Wales, UK.

Although the town lacks an abundance of tourist attractions, if your journey takes you past then consider taking a break here. There are some pleasant cafes, and the old town centre and its famous market are definitely worth a look.

Understand edit

A 12th-century history book names the town as the birthplace of the wizard of Arthurian legend, Merlin. Consequently, there are a few Merlin-themed events and establishments in the town.

If you are coming in from Cardiff, Swansea or the Tenby area, Carmarthen will be the first place that you have the chance to often hear Welsh spoken on the street.

Get in edit

By road edit

From east: M4 to end, A48 the rest of the way. Parking is not exactly easy, though the car park behind the market is the most convenient for the shopping centre.

By train edit

There are many direct trains to 1 Carmarthen station from London Paddington though generally you will need to change at Swansea. Travel times from London are approximately 4 hours.

By bus edit

Get around edit

The town centre is small enough to easily get around on foot or bicycle.

See edit

  • 1 Carmarthen Castle. The ruins of the castle are in the town centre.    
  • 2 Carmarthen County Museum, Abergwili, SA31 2JG (1.5 miles east of the town on the A40), +44 1267 228696. M–Sa 10AM–4:30PM. A small museum displaying a wide range of artefacts representing the county's heritage.    
  • 3 National Botanic Garden of Wales, Llanarthne, +44 1558 667149. This garden was created in the new millennium and features over 100,000 plants set in a 568-acre regency park. The gardens features the world's largest single span glass house.    

Do edit

  • Brechfa mountain bike trails.
  • 1 Carmarthen Golf Club, Blaenycoed Road, Carmarthen, SA336EH, +44 1267 281588. 18 hole par 71 course.
  • 2 Gwili Railway, Abergwili Junction. Welsh heritage railway that operates a standard gauge preserved railway line    
  • Wales Balloon Festival is 29-30 June 2024 on Carmarthen Showground.

Buy edit

  • Handcrafts at the market.
  • The famous "Carmarthen Ham" at the Albert Rees butchers stall in the market.
  • Carmarthen Market. The area around Carmarthen has been a magnet for the counter-culture since the 1960s, and as a result, the town's market peddles an interesting mixture of traditional market goods and hippie hand-crafts. The market it open six days a week, though Wednesday and Saturday are market days and the best days to visit.
  • Carmarthen Farmers Market, Carmarthen Town Centre, held 1st Friday of every month.
  • 1 St. Catherine's Walk Shopping Centre, 4 Saint Catherine St, SA31 1GA, +44 1267 243040.

Eat edit

Drink edit

Sleep edit

There are some good B&Bs in a rural setting near Carmarthen as well as a number of hotels in the town.

Go next edit

  • St. Clears
  • Kidwelly Castle in Kidwelly is about 8 miles from Carmarthen along the A484.
  • The sea-side town of Laugharne was the home of Swansea born and world famous writer Dylan Thomas, and the boat-house where many of his verses were composed is a main attraction. Laugharne is 8 miles from Carmarthen.
  • Swansea and the Gower Peninsula - Wales' city by the sea is 22 miles from Carmarthen. Follow A48, M4, exit 'Swansea West'.
  • The quaint market town of Llandovery.
  • The spectacular Carreg Cennen Castle in Trapp near Llandeilo.
Routes through Carmarthen
HaverfordwestSt Clears  W   E  LlandeiloLlandovery
END  NW   SE  → merges with  Swansea


This city travel guide to Carmarthen is a usable article. It has information on how to get there and on restaurants and hotels. An adventurous person could use this article, but please feel free to improve it by editing the page.