The Great Outdoors

Carmarthenshire offers a wealth of opportunities for enjoying the natural environment. There are many places nearby to walk, for example Llyn Llech Owain Country Park is less than a mile away and has been given Special Scientific Interest status. Another beautiful place to walk is the Cwm Lliedi Reservoir. Both these places are dog friendly and have different grades of path, some suitable for pushchairs and wheelchairs and some for the more adventurous walker.

Beaches

Although the cottages are not on the coast there are many beautiful beaches within easy reach.

Llansteffan
This beach is on the tidal estuary of the Towy River and is overlooked by its own magnificent castle. It is one of the secrets of Carmarthenshire, used mostly by locals and therefore does not get as busy as some of the other beaches nearby. At low tide it is possible to walk round the headland to another beach of golden sand which can only be reached by foot.

Pendine
This beach is famous as home to many land speed records, with its six miles of flat sand. Pendine also offers traditional seaside fun with rock pools for inquisitive kids, clear water for swimmers and cliffs for views of the golden sands. Also at Pendine is the Museum of Speed.

Llanelli
The millennium coastal park includes 22 km of coastal paths, transformed from their industrial past into beaches, fenland, woodland and harbours stretching along the Loughor Estuary. Habitat conservation is the key with something for walkers and cyclists alike.

Gower
The Gower Peninsula, famous for its beaches, is only approximately 40 minutes away. Once on the Gower the visitor is spoilt for choice whether looking for long stretches of white sand or tiny secluded bays. Or you may prefer to walk the peninsula coastline on one of the many coastal walks.

Tenby
The North and South beaches at Tenby are of fine white sand and are always popular with the visitor in summer.

Birds

Scenic South Wales is home to a variety of Welsh bird specialities.
Myrtle Hill (complete with its resident Buzzard!) is an ideal base to explore a variety of different nearby habitats for various bird species.

The surrounding wooded sessile oak valleys host breeding Pied Flycatchers, Wood Warblers and Redstarts in spring and summer. The two RSPB reserves of Dinas and Gwenffrwd (both within half an hour's drive) are areas of outstanding natural beauty and host all the above species plus Peregrine Falcon, Dipper, Raven, Tree Pipit and the rare and enigmatic Red Kite.

By contrast, the Gower peninsula, just 30 minutes' drive away, provides a winter refuge for waders and wildfowl and the three best sites to explore are Burry Inlet, Oxwich Bay and Worms Head.

Further afield, just an hour's drive away is the Welsh coastal headland of St. Martin's Haven, west of Marloes where the rare Chough, a Welsh specialty, can be seen. The nearby islands of Skomer, Skokholm & Grassholm are home to seabird colonies comprising Puffins, Razorbills, Guillemots, Gannets and Manx Shearwaters.