Cake Trail
Cake Adventure
The Great British Bike Off - an adventurous circular cycle route around Carmarthenshire top cakeries route overview
Route overview:
This clockwise circular journey, starts in Carmarthen, heading east on National Cycle Route 47 (the B4300, Capel Dewi Road) for 45 minutes to reach Llanarthne, at the Emlyn Arms, turn right. Continue south on Route 47 for one of the longest legs of the journey. The 1 hour 40 minute cycle will take you past the National Botanic Garden of Wales and on to Porthyrhyd. Turn left into Heol y Foel, then on to Heol y Parc, turning right into Heol y Dre, continue south across Carmarthen Road and into Carreg Hollt. Follow this route to stop three in Llanelli. On leaving Llanelli, join National Cycle Route 4 (near Sandy Water Park) for a 25 minute cycle along the Millennium Coast Path to Burry Port where you continue along Route 4 northwards for 35 minutes before reaching the final stop in Kidwelly, then push on up route 4 for the final 1 hour 40 minute leg before finishing back at the start in Carmarthen.
Of course, you don’t have to do the whole route, which is 52 miles long and would take around 5 hours in one go, minus sightseeing - just pick your favourite section and saddle up. Or, make it a cake cycle double marathon!
And the good news is that as you’ll be burning up loads of calories on this adventure, you can afford to try as many treats as you fancy.
1. Pethau Da
Breakfast - Start your bike bake trail at Pethau Da in the heart of picturesque Carmarthen, the oldest town in Wales. Choose a healthy breakfast of avocado, chilli, lime & coriander on toasted sourdough - and slice of cake for energy. There’s a mouth-watering choice of confectionary made on the premises on offer, including bara brith and scones, jam and clotted cream. You might want to book afternoon tea here on your way back, too...
2. Wrights Food Emporium
Mid-morning cake and coffee - Carrot cake, plum and almond tart or baked sultana and nutmeg cheesecake anyone? Wright’s uses local butter, eggs and cream to conjure up sweet treats and delicious pastries, including fresh apple turnovers. The coffee is delicious, too.
3. Stradey Park Hotel
Lunch - The refreshing sea air along this stretch of your journey will certainly make you ready for lunch. Samphires at the Stradey Park Hotel offers a range of delicious sandwiches, baked potatoes and sharing plates, or head for the Rooftop Lounge or Conservatory, both with great views over the Gower and Carmarthen Bay, for yummy afternoon tea, served from 12 noon to 6pm, with cakes, quiche and sandwich galore. Or perfect for hungry cyclists, the hearty Gentleman’s Tea (available to ladies, too) includes chargrilled beef burger topped with Welsh cheese, corned beef rissole and coronation Scotch egg, plus caramelised apple tart and lemon sponge cake.
4. Whitford’s Café Bar
Afternoon tea - Carmarthenshire's newest sweet spot, Whitford’s makes fresh cakes daily, including gluten free cake and afternoon tea, which includes a selection of sandwiches, cakes and homemade scones with jam and clotted cream.
5. Burns Farm Shop & Cafe
Cake stop - Expect a mouth-watering array of homemade cakes including coffee and walnut, lemon and coconut, chocolate brownies, bara brith, Welsh cakes, assorted cheesecakes and fresh cream scones. Yum. Gluten free cakes are available too.
burnsfarmshop.co.uk
