Llandeilo may be in the heart of the valley but it is also the heart of the valley!

On the edge of the river Tywi, you will find the charming town of Llandeilo. Just 40 minutes from Swansea and lying on the edge of the Brecon Beacons National Park in South Wales, Llandeilo is the perfect getaway place amongst the beautiful countryside of South West Wales.

Town Centre

Llandeilo is a beautiful little town and fortunately the people of Llandeilo know it and appreciate it. The town has thankfully retained much of its Georgian and Victorian character and architecture, and this is what makes the centre so delightful and welcoming.

In days gone by the streets would be alive with traders jostling with farmers and drovers bringing their sheep and cattle to market. The streets were lined with public houses and rather surprisingly a good number of banks, and at one time there were 20 pubs alone! These days most of the pubs have given way to delicatessens, shops and cafes, giving you plenty of places to eat, drink and shop.

Because of its keeping with Victorian history, Llandeilo has retained its small shops, which are independently run by their owners. Although there are no big name high street stores here, there is a wide choice of businesses: kitchenware, ladies’ fashion, hardware, dressmaking, jewellers, florists, art galleries and antiques.  There’s an outdoor market every Friday, and around once a month you’ll find an Antiques Fair and auction; so whatever time of the week you’re visiting Llandeilo you will be able to buy all you need!

 Attractions

Although a small place, Llandeilo has plenty of attractions in its surrounding area to keep visitors occupied.

Newton House and Dinefwr Park

This splendid mansion, also known as Plas Dinefwr (Dinefwr Mansion), was built in Llandeilo by Edward Rice in 1660. Although most of the exterior of Newton House is quite new, the Victorian stonework hides a 17th century Venetian Gothic manor. However, Newton House infuses several different styles, using French architectural styles on its tower.

Inside its entrance hall, Newton House has been kept to its natural look, with a fabulous, original 17th century staircase winding its way up to the first floor of the house, where you can find an exhibition room. Look up at the ceiling and you will spot the fabulous artwork above you and on the walls you will find detailed portraits of many members of the Rice family, who lived here once building was completed. There are plenty of exhibition rooms and a tea room where you can sit and appreciate the 1912 décor style. The house is now in the hands of the National Trust, making it accessible to all.

Surrounding the house is Dinefwr Park, which 100 White Park Cattle call home. They play a vital role in the history of not only the park but also Wales, as they are the oldest breed of cattle in Britain. Take one of the walks around this park whilst appreciating and admiring these wonderful creatures.

Interestingly, Newton House derives its name from the town which Edward I founded following his capture of nearby Dinefwr Castle in 1277. Naming this town Newe Towne, during the middle ages there were three towns in the area: the Welsh town of Dinefwr, Edward I’s Newe Towne, and of course, the peaceful little Welsh town of Llandeilo.

National Botanic Gardens

Nestled in the countryside near Llanarthney and just 16 minutes from Llandeilo, the National Botanic Gardens is a fabulous place for you to visit. It is relatively new, opening its gates first on the 24th May 2000 and officially opened on 21st July of the same year, by HRH the Prince of Wales.

With plenty of lush greenery and colourful horticulture, the main attraction you have to visit in the Botanic Gardens is The Glasshouse, a huge glass-domed structure in the heart of the gardens, which houses several different Mediterranean plants. It is partly built below ground level and the roof contains 785 panes of glass. There are several different sections for plants from different regions throughout the world, including Chile, Western Australia, California, Canary Islands, South Africa and those straight from the Mediterranean itself. Explore the gallery and relax with a cup of tea or coffee in the restaurant and café found about the gardens.

Gelli Aur Country Park

Gelli Aur is a Country Park with 60 acres of wooded parkland surrounding a magnificent mansion. Gelli Aur Country Park contains sixty acres of excellent wooded parkland surrounding a magnificent mansion, although the mansion is not open to the public.

Take one of the many nature trails around Gelli Aur, exploring parkland, lakes, woodland and meadow along the way. In warmer months, wood sorrels, bluebells and celandine will provide a beautiful carpet for your feet and in colder months you will be sure to spot a variety of birds, including chiff-chaffs, blue tits and fly catchers.

One of the best attractions in Gelli Aur Country Park is the 20 acre deer park, which is home to around 20 fallow deer, all of which you can watch from a close but safe distance. 

Nature lovers may recognise the Giant Redwoods, Monterey Pine and Fern-Leaved Beech growing throughout the park. [The rhododendrons and azaleas are at their best in May. The rhododendrons and azaleas are at their best in May. The Camarthenshire County Council has recently carried out planting to ensure the continuity of this incredible park.

Llandeilo Bridge

Llandeilo’s relatively new bridge is one of its most fabulous attractions. Designed by William Williams in 1840 and completed by Edward Haycock in 1851, at one point it was one of Britain’s largest bridges and one of the many wonders of Wales. Today the bridge remains a fantastic stone monument in the town and is a must see for all visitors to the town.

Llandeilo Walks

Because of its prestigious location near to the Brecon Beacons National Park, Llandeilo provides some of the most beautiful walks you will ever find in Wales. Although you can take many walks through the Gelli Aur Country Park, branch out into the surrounding area of the town by taking walks through the hills and countryside.

Dinefwr Castle

It is Dinefwr Castle that has possibly propelled Llandeilo into the limelight. Lying just east of the town centre, it is a striking monument settled into the South Wales countryside. Although many believe that there are old Roman forts and temples underneath the foundations of Dinefwr Castle, there is no real evidence of these ever existing.

A 12th century castle, it was originally in the hands of Rhys ap Gruffydd, who managed to maintain leadership over the castle when the Anglo-Saxons attempted to seize it during this century. Rhys succeeded in showing his strength and success by capturing Cardigan castle and rebuilding those of Nevern, Llandovery and Rhayader. Sadly following his death, there were much bitter feuds between his two sons Rhys Ieuanc ap Gruffydd and Owain ap Gruffydd, and the castle changed from hand to hand during the period following Rhys’s death in 1197. It was finally seized by Edward Longshanks, King Edward I in 1277, in his campaign to subjugate the Welsh. Close to the castle Edward founded the "Newe Towne".

Parts of the castle were renovated during the 17th century, including the Keep which was transformed into a summerhouse. CADW have recently restored the castle and today its romantic ruins still stand overlooking Dinefwr Park and the river Tywi.

History

Llandeilo takes its name from Saint Teilo who had many followers during the 6th century, and also worked closely with the patron saint of Wales, Saint David. It is strongly believed that Saint Teilo was buried in Llandeilo, as he spent much of his time in and around the area. Because of its Christian roots, the town of Llandeilo quickly grew up around its Saint Teilo church during the 9th century.

Llandeilo is also well known for its many burnings. During the middle ages, it suffered at the hands of many Welshmen. Llandeilo was razed to the ground in 1213, 1316 and later in 1403. Today it would be hard to believe that this beautiful town would have suffered so many burnings.

The Bank

Before the new road and bridge were built in the town, Bank Terrace would have been the main road through and into Llandeilo. Several of the buildings along this terrace would have been banks. The Black Ox Bank still stands proudly as testimony to Llandeilo's history as an important Welsh market town. Although today the building is in use as a private business the banking hall has not changed at all and the underground vaults where the money was kept still exists, giving a fascinating insight into Llandeilo’s financial history.

Saint Teilo's Church

As mentioned previously, Llandeilo sprouted from its Christian roots and was one of the places from which Christianity spread far and wide across Wales. The discovery of fragments of two large Celtic crosses provide further testimony to Llandeilo's importance and indeed prestige as an early ecclesiastical centre. The church was founded during Saint Teilo’s time in the 6th Century, although nothing remains of the original building. The church tower which is of a Norman style of architecture was actually built in the 16th century and was the only surviving part when the church was demolished in 1850. It was rebuilt and designed by the famous Victorian architect George Gilbert Scott.

Accommodation and Services

Although there are several hotels, accommodation mostly consists of bed and breakfast guest houses and self-catering options in Llandeilo. There are plenty of self-catering country cottages and farmhouses in both the town and surrounding area, as well as small bed and breakfasts on the outskirts of the town.

Fancy your accommodation being outside? There are plenty of camping sites surrounding Llandeilo, both in the Brecon Beacons National Park and along the A45 road which leads to the M4 towards Swansea.

So if you’ve got some time to spare, come to Llandeilo and let the delightful Georgian and Victorian architecture and beautiful views and countryside capture your heart!