Carmarthenshire

Do you look forward to indulging your sweet tooth during the festive season?  If so, you might like to try the Christmas Eve custom – Noson Gyflaith (Toffee Evening). Making toffee was part of the Christmas or New Year festivities in parts of Pembrokeshire, Ceredigion and Carmarthenshire earlier this century. Families would invite friends for supper and during the evening the entertainment would include games, making toffee and storytelling.

Christmas is nearly here so it seems appropriate to read one of Dylan Thomas’ enduring and celebrated works. A Child’s Christmas in Wales. Dylan Thomas wrote much of his greatest work in The Boathouse in Laugharne.  It is thought that Laugharne was the inspiration, along with New Quay in Cardigan Bay, for the fictional town of Llareggub in Under Milk Wood.

Is it Bread? or Is it Cake? – almost as hotly disputed as Rugby scores in Wales, the question of what makes the best Bara Brith can cause casualties! It is a traditional Welsh tea bread, flavoured with tea, dried fruits and spices loved by thousands throughout Pembrokeshire, Ceredigion and Carmarthenshire.

Nordic walking is a specific pole walking technique which harnesses the power of the upper body to turn walking into a workout! It can be adapted for anybody and can be done anywhere! It is important to use the correct types of poles, planted at an angle. Here in West Wales, we have fantastic locations all around Pembrokeshire, Ceredigion and Carmarthenshire for Nordic walking.    

A distinctive feature of the West Wales countryside is the many field hedges planted with Laburnum (Laburnum anagyroides). They are a joy to behold.  The long yellow flower bunches are incredibly bright and the tree is often referred to as Golden Chain or Golden Rain. Let us explain the laburnum mystery.

The beautiful woods, valleys and shores of Pembrokeshire, Ceredigion and Carmarthenshire are carpeted in Bluebells at this time of year. Here are some great places to walk and see this year’s magical displays. Let’s look through some of the best places to see bluebells in West Wales.

The Victorians are responsible for the fact that daffodils are pinned to Welsh lapels on St David’s Day. The leek wasn’t considered glamorous enough to be the Welsh national emblem. Therefore, the daffodil, which flowers close to the Welsh patron saint’s holiday, became the replacement. Daffodils are grown all throughout Pembrokeshire, Ceredigion and Carmarthenshire. Let us educate you all about the Welsh daffodil.

During easter, there are many customs throughout Pembrokeshire, Ceredigion and Carmarthenshire, some strange and unusual. Not wishing to be left out, Wales has its share of both traditional and wacky ways to celebrate. So, let’s take you through some of our favourite Easter traditions in Wales.

Spring might be on the way but an icy wind reminds us that Winter is not fully over. On such a day in Pembrokeshire, Ceredigion or Carmarthenshire, there is nothing more comforting than a Welsh winter warmer, a bowl of traditional Welsh Cawl served up with fresh bread, farmhouse butter and some good Welsh cheese.

National symbols are better known in some countries than others. In Wales, ours are often on display and are emblems to be worn with pride. These are the main 3 symbols of Wales: