Coastal trail - Take a stroll through time
Carmarthen Bay is one of the most important conservation areas in Wales. It is a staggeringly beautiful part of the country’s coastline with a fascinating history and rich diversity of wildlife.
Now there is an exciting new trail to help walkers explore this exceptional piece of coastline - and as you take the trail from Telpyn Point in the west to the Loughor Estuary in the east, you will be setting out on a journey through time.
Carmarthen Bay has formed since the end of the last Ice Age, some 10,000 years ago when the glaciers melted, sea levels rose and the former Severn Valley plain was flooded.
Even today, glimpses of submerged forests and peat beds can be seen along the shore and are reminders of ancient climate change. On land there is a great variety of historic sites and settlements, from prehistoric burial chambers to industrial harbours, all testimony to centuries of human activity including shipping and fishing.
Peppering the paths along the way are the busy little towns of Laugharne, St Clears and Kidwelly, each with their own impressive medieval castle and personality of their own. Laugharne is celebrated for its connections with iconic Welsh poet, Dylan Thomas.
The new trail takes in the award-winning stretch of golden sands at Cefn Sidan and the wonderful Millennium Coastal Park. This 20km stretch of coastline was once covered by the heavy industry that grew up around the coal and steel town of Llanelli. The landscape has been completely transformed to include woodlands, marinas, cycle paths and walks. The nationally important Wildfowl and Wetlands Centre is a major stopping point along this route.
The journey ends at the Loughor Estuary, part of the Burry Inlet, which is recognised as one of the most important areas in the Principality for wildfowl and wading birds.
© 2010 Carmarthenshire County Council.