Out and about

Llandeilo: old town charm, stylish shops and local food

Llandeilo is a vibrant little town, with a wealth of independent shops selling quality clothes, furnishings, antiques and crafts plus great cafes, pubs and several delis. It's home to Dinefwr Park (National Trust), with beautiful parkland and a castle for lovely walks. There are annual book and music festivals in Llandeilo, and the Festival of Lights brightens up November. Carreg Cennen Castle, which deserves the overused word 'stunning', is nearby - combine with refreshments at The Tregyb (it's on the way) for a great day out!

EAT, DRINK & SHOP

The Tregeyb - food and cocktails venue (in Ffairfach, by Llandeilo: 07949 359418)

Diod - cafe/winebar/deli @diodllandeilo

Pitchfork and Provision craft bakery/deli/cafe

Cawdor Hotel - bar and restaurant

Heavenly - artisan chocolate and ice cream

Davies & Co - interiors plus cafe

Toast - clothes and home

Peppercorn - kitchenware

The Little Welsh Dresser - Welsh gifts, artwork, interior accessories

...and lots more!

Tip: For Sunday lunch, try The Tregeyb (above) or Castle Coaching Inn (below)

Llandovery: home of the drovers

Llandovery is a pretty, peaceful market town. Walkers and Cycling Friendly, it is a gateway to many routes, with cycle-friendly cafes and pubs. There's a Craft Centre, a small market on Friday mornings, a regular livestock market and an annual Sheep Festival in September. In the 18th century drovers brought sheep and cattle here - 30,000 animals passed through every year on their way to livestock markets as far as Smithfield market in London. Further back in time, the castle was built by the Normans. Over the centuries it saw much fighting - now only fragments of two towers and some walling remain. The short climb is worthwhile for beautiful views - its great fun for kids to explore, with a playground next to it.

EAT, DRINK & SHOP

Whitehall - good beer, and cocktails!

The Bear - South Asian influenced vegan and vegetarian food

Penygawse - tea rooms

La Patisserie - deli with fresh local food, great for picnics

Iechyd Da Wholefoods

Mathews Butchers - locally sourced meat, deliver to Nantseren!

Llandovery Antiques Centre

The Old Printing Office (gifts and clothes e.g. white stuff)

The Davies family on a birthday boat trip on Brecon canal

Brecon: doorway to the Brecon Beacons

Brecon (45 mins drive) is a bustling market town, with plenty of interesting shops, cafes, pubs, regular food and craft markets, galleries and a couple of museums. There's also a theatre and a small independent cinema, and the annual Jazz Festival in August. Brecon Cathedral is beautiful, its regarded as one of Wales' finest buildings - and has a lovely cafe, The Hours, which has a combination of delicious local food and a beautiful bookshop: @thehoursbrecon

Another favourite of ours is Hop in beer and gin, near the newly refurbished Brecon Museum Y Gaer.

TOP TIP

Hire a boat in Brecon and spend a leisurely day on the Monmouthshire and Brecon Canal. Perfect for a special birthday - we took a picnic and some bubbly!

Table decoration and cutlery at Wrights Food Emporium

Carmarthen: our county town

Carmarthen is about 45 minutes drive, with a castle, galleries, the recently updated Carmarthen Museum and family friendly Parc yr Esgob, with a nice cafe. There's a good mix of shops, both independent and chains. It's a busy, yet relaxed market town - try Karm'en Kafe near the castle for coffee or lunch (they can also provide pop-up dining or a retreat chef at Nantseren - see food and celebrations), or The Warren. Take the back road to Carmarthen for Wright's Food Emporium - a destination for food lovers, close to two beautiful gardens: National Botanic Garden of Wales and Aberglasney

Myddfai: legendary physicians

Myddfai is a few miles down the road from Nantseren on the way to Llandovery - it's a sleepy little village with a community-run visitor centre with gift shop, selling local crafts and Myddfai Trading Company products (as provided at Nantseren!). There's also a cafe there, which serves delicious homemade cakes. The Physicians of Myddfai were herbalists and healers for hundreds of years, and are connected to the Lady of the Lake myth.