Ferryside

The tide comes racing in here like nowhere else in Wales, turning mudflats into a proper estuary in minutes. Ferryside clings to the northern shore of the Towy estuary, where the river meets Carmarthen Bay in a spectacular daily show of tidal drama.

Ferryside Beach stretches for miles at low tide, revealing cockle beds that have fed locals for centuries. When the water's out, you can walk almost to the middle of the estuary. But check the tide tables - this isn't a place to get caught napping.

Train buffs will love arriving at Ferryside station, one of the most beautifully positioned stops on the Heart of Wales line. The railway hugs the shoreline here, offering cracking views across to Llansteffan Castle on the opposite bank. It's a proper old-fashioned branch line experience.

Walking through Ferry Farm Wood or Is-coed Wood feels like stepping back in time. Ancient oaks lean over babbling streams, and the bird life is extraordinary - especially the spring dawn chorus. Both woods connect to longer coastal path routes if you fancy a proper hike.

The village itself is quiet midweek but comes alive at weekends when cockle pickers and dog walkers descend. St Thomas's Church sits prettily above the shore, while Salem Baptist Church serves the local community that still speaks Welsh as a first language.

Getting here is easy enough - the A484 from Carmarthen takes twenty minutes, though the train journey is far more scenic. Carmarthen itself is the nearest proper town for serious shopping or dining.

Basing yourself at one of the nearby parks makes perfect sense. You're close enough to nip into the village for a pint, but far enough from the A484's weekend traffic to enjoy the peace this corner of Carmarthenshire does so well.