The market town of Carmarthen lies on the River Towy in Carmarthenshire, West Wales, situated midway between Cardigan and Swansea. Renowned as Wales’ oldest town, Carmarthen offers visitors an attractive mix of history and culture alongside modern day amenities.
History of Carmarthen
Highlights of Carmarthen’s rich history include Carmarthen Castle, the Black book of Carmarthen, and the remains of Merlin’s Oak.
The ruins of Carmarthen castle can be found overlooking the river Towy from Notts Square and along Castle Hill. Originally built by the Normans during the 11th century, the castle endured a series of attacks during the 12th and 13th centuries resulting in significant reconstruction and the addition of defensive features including the stone curtain wall. During the 18th and 19th centuries the castle was converted into a county prison, whilst today the castle grounds house Carmarthen’s council offices.
The Black Book of Carmarthen was written in c.1250 and is considered to be the earliest surviving Welsh language manuscript. Bound in black, the book comprises a collection of poems with reference to religion and also the legends of King Arthur and Myrddin (otherwise known as the wizard Merlin) who was believed to have been born in a cave near Carmarthen.
Merlin’s tree refers to an old oak that once stood in the centre of Carmarthen town. One particular story tells how Merlin declared that "When Merlin’s tree shall tumble down, then shall fall Carmarthen town”. The remains of the old oak can be seen today at the Carmarthenshire County Museum alongside interesting displays of many other local historical artefacts.
Attractions in Carmarthen
Visitors to Carmarthen can enjoy a range of cultural and
historical attractions within the town and surrounding area. Located in St
Catherine’s Walk is the Apollo cinema Carmarthen, Europe’s first all-digital,
fully 3D enabled multi-screen cinema. On King Street, Carmarthen's Lyric theatre offers
an exciting programme of productions including theatre, music, ballet and
comedy. For art lovers, the Oriel Myrddin Gallery on Church Lane showcases
contemporary art and craft exhibitions from Wales and the UK.
Just a couple of miles outside of Carmarthen lies Merlin’s
Hill Centre at Alltyfyrddin Farm, Abergwili. Here visitors can follow in the
footsteps of the legendary wizard Merlin along the ancient paths up to an Iron
Age Hillfort. The farm also features a heritage centre displaying farming
traditions over the years, and collection of woollen gifts made from their flock of Jacob sheep. Also situated in
Abergwili and set in beautiful parkland is the Carmarthenshire County Museum which
hosts an exciting range of displays dating back to Carmarthen’s Roman past.
Carmarthen has an active sports scene including Carmarthen Town A.F.C, Carmarthen Quins Rugby Club, and Carmarthen Bowling Club, as well as a leisure centre and swimming pool located in Johnstown. The town is also home to the University of Wales Trinity Saint David, formerly known as Trinity College Carmarthen, before it merged with the University of Wales Lampeter.
Having recently undergone major redevelopment, Carmarthen’s town centre offers a wide choice of shops, cafés and restaurants stretching from Merlin’s Walk in the south of the town up to the Market Hall and St Catherine’s Walk in the north of the town. The town enjoys an excellent transport network with the surrounding area served by Carmarthen train station on the south of the river Towy and Carmarthen bus station located on Blue Street. A Park and Ride can also be found at the Nant-y-ci showground to the west of the town.
Ample parking is available in the pay and display car parks
located across Carmarthen including John Street car park and St Catherine’s
Walk car park to the north of the town and Friars Park Car Park and Merlin’s
Walk car park to the south.
