Wondrous Wales

Explore magical Carmarthenshire on a fabulous UK break

For most of us, visiting Wales means heading for Snowdonia, the borders and Wye Valley, the coastal beauty of Pembrokeshire or hitting the Gower peninsula. But Carmarthenshire has its own magic, especially as it's supposedly the birthplace of Merlin.

The National Botanic Garden of Wales is not to be missed, with over 180 acres of serious planting and home to one of the world's largest glasshouses. The Great Glasshouse, designed by Sir Norman Foster and 100 metres wide, is a garden of Eden.

Carmarthen and its covered market are also lovely – you'll find everything from local cheeses to vintage baubles on sale.

Across the Tywi Valley in Llandeilo you'll find boutiques selling everything from modern Welsh home designs (Scorpio) to award-winning ice-cream and chocolate (Heavenly), as well as one of only four branches of Toast in the UK (edgy clothes in natural fabrics).

In this pretty town with houses the colours of sugared almonds, you'll find the work of local artists at the Bridge Gallery and Fountain Fine Art, and Crafts Alive, a local co-operative.

You're also a short drive from Carmarthen Bay and Laugharne, where Dylan Thomas spent his days. Base yourself in Llandeilo's boutique Cawdor Hotel, which offers flat-screen tellies, leather furniture and a bar that wouldn't be out of place in London's trendy Shoreditch.

Want to go?
A night at the Cawdor Hotel costs from £65 for a double room.
Visit www.thecawdor.com

W&H EXCLUSIVE OFFER
The Cawdor Hotel is offering a 10 per cent discount on stays of two nights or more, plus a half-price bottle of house wine
Call 01558-823500; quote “WH01”
Valid for bookings made until 30 June 08 for stays until 30 Nov 08
Subject to availability
Excluding bank holiday weekends
Bottle of wine available to those dining in the hotel restaurant only

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