Parc Gorslas

The old slate quarry at Gorslas sits just outside Llanelli, and it's one of those places that rewards a bit of exploring if you're willing to venture off the main drag. What you're looking at is the industrial heritage of South Wales laid bare - steep pit walls, water-filled cavities, and the bones of what kept the region ticking during the 19th and early 20th centuries.

It's genuinely atmospheric, particularly if you visit when the light's coming in low. You can walk the perimeter and peer down into the workings, spot remnants of old machinery if you're lucky, and get a proper sense of just how much labour went into extracting slate from these hillsides. The views across the surrounding countryside are decent too, especially on clearer days when you can see across the Towy Valley.

History enthusiasts will find this compelling - industrial archaeologists especially. Kids might manage an hour if you play it right and make a game of spotting old mining equipment. Walkers will appreciate it as part of a broader route through the area rather than a standalone destination.

You'll want to give yourself 45 minutes to an hour here, assuming you're taking photographs and actually soaking it in rather than rushing through. There's no obvious visitor infrastructure, so come prepared - check conditions beforehand, especially after rain as it gets muddy.

Stay at one of the nearby parks like River View Touring Park or Coedhirion Farm Holidays and base yourself in the area for a proper industrial heritage circuit. Combine it with the other quarry sites scattered around Carmarthenshire and you've got a solid weekend.