Carmarthen

The oldest town in Wales still feels properly lived-in rather than touristy. Carmarthen sits where the River Towy meanders through rolling Carmarthenshire countryside, its Celtic roots running deeper than most places dare claim. This is where Merlin supposedly hails from, though the town's appeal goes well beyond Arthurian legend.

Getting about is straightforward enough - the A40 sweeps you in from both east and west, while the railway connects directly to Swansea and Cardiff. The surrounding landscape shifts between gentle farmland and dramatic coastal stretches, with Pendine Sands a short drive south.

Top Castle crowns the nearby hills, offering cracking views across the Towy Valley on clear days. The ancient earthworks tell stories of Norman ambition, though locals seem more interested in the weekly market that's been running since medieval times. St Lawrence's Church at Marros provides a quieter moment of reflection, its weathered stones holding centuries of community life.

Teague's Wood makes for a proper ramble when the town gets too busy. The forest paths wind through oak and ash, emerging onto moorland where Marros Beacon stands sentinel over the coast. Down at Morfa Bychan, the landscape opens into salt marshes and sandy flats - different world entirely from the market town bustle.

Staying at one of the holiday parks scattered around gives you the best of both worlds. Pendine Sands Holiday Park puts the famous beach on your doorstep, while inland options like Nine Acres or Broadway Caravan Park offer peaceful countryside mornings before heading into town. The parks provide a proper base for exploring both Carmarthen's history and the wilder bits of coast and countryside that surround it.