Our tips for a wonderful stay in...
The Amman Valley
Compellingly Welsh and markedly diverse, this valley is a heady mix of spectacular nature, earthy former coal trade communities and industrious agriculture. The river which gives the area its name weaves doggedly south-west from the heights of the Brecon Beacons and meets the powerful Loughor near the hub town of Ammanford. Sport and culture are very much to the fore as are the valley’s vibrant mining history and religious heritage. There are reminders everywhere, from the names of the pubs - The Colliers, The Farmers - to the imposing chapels and churches. There’s lots to see so get the walking boots ready.
Among our best...
Get all poetic
'Ammanford Heritage Trail'
It’s not just PR guff when they say that Wales likes its poets - just check out this modest town trail and do a wordsmith count. South of the town centre there’s an area extolled by a 15th century verse-master; closer to the retail action is a site which housed a Victorian college with close links to a host of other writers. Take a seat, whip out your pen and pad... and be inspired!
Where - Ammanford town centre.
01269 823400 for a trail leaflet.
Watch the wickets fall
'Ammanford Park'
If you’ve got it, flaunt it, and one Ammanford Cricket Club website posting reads: "Ask the cricketers of the South Wales League on which ground they prefer to play and more than likely they’ll say, 'Ammanford Park'. Firm, true wicket; clubhouse overlooking a park resplendent with trees and flowers - and by 7pm the appetising smell of exotic cuisine from local restaurants. Where else would anyone want to play, for goodness sake?" Quite!
Where - Ammanford Park, Ammanford town centre.
01554 784181.
Memories of Beryl
'Ammanford Miners Theatre'
This playhouse’s gracefully cambered decorative ceiling has peered down on much action in its time. Even Carmarthenshire’s own BBC newsreader, Huw Edwards, has shown up as the main attraction, along with everyone from master pianists to Welsh sopranos and everything from musical theatre companies to South American folk combos. Few now remember its first show – in 1932 – when the bill featured a recitation by Miss Beryl Davies, a solo by Master Harry Thomas and a performance by the Co-op Children's Choir.
Where - Ammanford Miners Theatre, 13 Wind Street, Ammanford, SA18 3DN.
0845 226 3510. carmarthenshiretheatres.co.uk
Shane’s game
'Amman United RFC'
From the main road through the stringbean village of Glanaman, the southern flank of the valley plunges away. Here - on both sides of the river - are rugby pitches, one in an elegant park, one with decades-old steep concrete terracing. They’re unassuming expanses of turf but it was here that 2008 world player of the year Shane Williams took his first real steps in rugby. Take a ball there yourself, punt it over the posts - and feel touched by greatness!
Where - Amman United RFC pitches, off Folland Road, Garnant.
01269 822147.
Takeaway treat
'The Black Mountain Centre'
You know the feeling: Sunday morning, long lie-in, big papers. So why not phone this former school’s cheerful restaurant and order a fantastic takeaway Sunday roast? You’ll pick it up in cartons and it will feature glories such as red wine gravy, swede and carrot mash, Welsh beef and huge, crispy Yorkshires. The latter are the chef’s specialities - he’s imported from Halifax, you see. The centre incidentally, is great for advice on tourism, history and heritage.
Where - The Black Mountain Centre, Cwmgarw Road, Brynaman, SA18 1BU.
01269 823400. brynaman.org.uk
Muffin mania
'Café Celia'
A caffeine-packed blast of espresso rarely tastes so good as when twinned with one of Celia’s amazing muffins. The chocolate variety is more fun than a whole childhoodful of Easter eggs; it’s wrapped artistically in cocoa-brown paper, is topped with chocolate icing and white choc flakes... and it melts deliciously over the tastebuds. The café also does a groovy line in boxed takeaway noodle specials. However, it’s the muffin you’ll remember most!
Where - Café Celia, 13 College Street, Ammanford, SA18 3AB.
01269 593184.
Keep it local
'Frank’s Ice Cream'
"Ooh, it’s gorgeous," says the shop assistant with a glint in her eye. "They only make it down the road - we’re the closest outlet to the production line." Location: The Premier Tycroes Supermarket. Subject: A single-portion tub of Frank’s Dairy Vanilla Ice Cream. The award-rich company has made such creamy gastronomic treasures for more than 80 years and remains proud of its Welsh roots. Almost as proud as the shop assistant is of selling it.
Where - Frank’s Ice Cream, Capel Hendre Industrial Estate, Ammanford, SA18 3SJ.
01269 832400. franksicecream.co.uk
Skate stars
'Funtasia'
It rains in Wales. Have you ever noticed? Luckily, the enterprising locals understand that undercover attractions can come in handy, especially for those with young kids. And Funtasia is one of those places that goes the extra mile. As well as lots of high-grade adventure play apparatus, it has a state-of-the-art dry-ice rink; it’s perfect for parents to make fools of themselves with clumsy skating, bruised behinds and red faces. Enjoy, kids!
Where - Funtasia, Unit 12-15, Capel Hendre Industrial Estate, Tycroes, SA18 3SJ.
01269 832056.
funtasiaplay.co.uk
Tee time treats
'Golf'
Golf in the Amman Valley is gloriously spectacular and beautifully varied. Get into the swing on the hillside driving range at Tycroes (complete with newly revamped par three nine-hole course), enjoy a super-friendly lunch in the ancient stone-built clubhouse at Glynhir before playing its elegant 18 holes - and save the hearty breakfast and exceptional mountain views of Parc Garnant for the following morning. In a county that takes its sport seriously, these are real winners.
Where - Tycroes Golf Range, Llwynceibren, Capel Hendre, SA18 3RH.
01269 597575.
tycroesgolfcentre.co.uk
Where - Glynhir Golf Club, Llandybie, SA18 2TF.
01269 851365.
glynhirgolfclub.co.uk
Where - Parc Garnant Golf Course, Dinefwr Road, Garnant, SA18 1NP.
01269 823365.
parcgarnantgolf.co.uk
Oxygen masks not required
'Herbert’s Quarry mountain viewpoint'
Some fans of extreme sport begin one of their challenges here. The South Wales Traverse is lung-burstingly tough, taking in more than 30 summits over 70-odd miles. The aim is to complete it on foot within 24 hours. Those bitten by less athletic bugs prefer to perch on this 18th Century limestone outpost high in the Brecon Beacons National Park and use their oxygen instead to breathe in the noble Towy Valley’s panoramic views.
Where - Herbert’s Quarry, A4069 Llangadog-Brynaman road.
01874 624437.
breconbeacons.org
A pool with a view
'Pen-y-graig Canol'
As the muscular Black Mountain rises powerfully to the north, the tranquil moorland to the east is patiently sculpted by a network of brooks and streams such as Nant Fydd, Aman Fach, Aman Fawr and Nant Llynfell. And it’s there - in all its great vastness - to be inhaled from a chair beside this fine B&B’s outdoor pool. Horse riders, mountain bikers, walkers and cyclists all adore this homely retreat. It’s easy to see why.
Where - Pen-y-graig Canol, 69-71 Mountain Road, Brynaman, SA18 1AN.
01269 824336.
penygraigcanol.co.uk
The rough with the smooth
'Quad Challenge'
"It might look like the limo of the quad bike world," says Peter Flowers... "but it’s still bumpy out there!" The Argocat is a cheerily chunky military-look machine that allows off-road adventure for most ages. Its eight rotund tyres, sturdy roll bars and low centre of gravity mean that it beats the steepest gradients and boggiest routes in the Quad Challenge woodland. Peter’s got plenty of wonderful one-man quads too. Hold tight, folks!
Where - Quad Challenge, off Pontarddulais Road, Tycroes.
01269 592734.
quadchallenge.co.uk
The place to chill
'River View Touring Park'
It has its uses, the River Gwili. In its natural woodland shade it remains refreshing even on summer’s hottest days - and caravan residents happily cool their beer and soft drinks in its clear, rocky flow. It also serves as a boundary for the campsite, as does a flower-rich ancient hay meadow just up the hill. As a base for touring the Amman Valley, River View is ideal - just ask its barn owls and butterflies.
Where - River View Touring Park, The Dingle, Llanedi, SA4 0FH.
01269 844876.
riverviewtouringpark.com
© 2010 Carmarthenshire County Council.