Amman Valley Attractions

Visitors to the Gwyl y Twrch Trwyth Festival are being encouraged to explore and enjoy the whole of what the Amman Valley has to offer.

There is plenty for both residents and visitors, with dramatic countryside, great walks, amazing cycling, fascinating history and of course, vibrant shopping and eating opportunities.

The Ammanford Twrch Trwyth Festival takes one of the Amman Valley’s most interesting and well known legends as a theme for the festival - the Culhwch and Olwen story from the Mabinogion, which is well known not just in Wales, but internationally.

Walking in the Amman Valley

The Amman Valley has plenty of walks to suit all tastes. Whether you are looking for an easy Sunday afternoon family stroll, a longer family walk with great views, or a day long hike for experienced walkers, the Amman Valley has it all.

The Amman Valley Heritage Trails offer the walker a selection of routes around the Amman Valley covering everything you could want to see on a walk, and the leaflets have a wealth of local information and fascinating historical notes. The Heritage Walks cover Ammanford, Betws, Brynaman, Cwmaman, Llandybie, Llynfell and Raven areas. They are all available to download from discovercarmarthenshire.com

The Amman Valley Twrch Trails offer the walker an opportunity to walk in the Amman Valley with routes on to the Black Mountain and a shorter route taking in the scenery at the valley floor. The walks were written by Cwmaman Town Council to celebrate the Twrch Trwyth legend and follow parts of the boar hunt through the Amman Valley. The walks are available to download from discovercarmarthenshire.com or to buy from local outlets. Completing the walks can earn free prizes from local outlets.

Cycling the Amman Valley

The Amman Valley is a haven for cyclists. The Amman Valley Riverside Path provides fantastic and safe off road cycling (and walking) for all. Starting in Pantyffynnon, near the rugby ground, it passes through Ammanford before travelling along the valley to Brynaman. The path takes in the best views and allows riders to follow the mesmerising river as it flows through the valley.

For families the path passes through many public parks where children are well catered for with adventure playgrounds and sports facilities, favourites are found at Grenig Park and at Parc Golwg Amman near where Amman Utd play.

There are also car parks at Grenig and at Parc Golwg yr Aman to make visiting the riverside easier. You can park and ride!

Twrch Trwyth Attractions

The Twrch Trwyth Festival is based around the Twrch Trwyth legend, but also has connections through one of Arthur’s knights to other attractions too in the area too. The knight Owain ap Urien who was involved in the Twrch Trwyth Hunt is connected to a few places in the Amman Valley, although the legends are quite vague about which Owain is involved. Some say Owain Glyndwr, while others say Owain Lawgoch. Either way Owain ap Urien suits us at the moment! It is said that Owain and his men are imprisoned in a cave beneath Carreg Cennen Castle where they will one day wake up and save Wales from it’s oppressors. Visit the castle, hire a torch and explore the cave, will you find Owain’s men?

Further down the valley you’ll find Carmel Nature reserve in Llandybie, great for all fans of nature. With great flowers and impressive wooded walks it’s a great place to visit. The reserve also has one of Britain’s only Turloughs, a lake that disappears in Summer as the water table drops, but is full during winter. The reserve is full of caves and in one of these it said.... yes you guessed it... Owain ap Urien and his men are sleeping awaiting national strife in which case they will be awoken to save Wales from its oppressors!

The final attraction must be Llyn Llech Owain in Gorslas, a large lake surrounded by a nature reserve, one of Wales’ most important wetland and peat bog areas. There is a large car park, fantastic cafe, a children’s adventure playground and miles of lakeside walks, and of course great views of the Amman Valley. Here it is said that Owain ap Urien stopped by a well at the hilltop to let his horse drink, he removed the capping stone, let his horse drink, but forgot to replace the capping stone while they fell asleep. He was awoken by the sound of rushing water as it spilled from the well to form a lake, he rode his horse around the lake until the water stopped. Today you can see the lake that spilled from the well ........ it’s Llyn Llech Owain!

At this time of year Carmarthenshire’s wonderful parks are must visit places. Both Ammanford and Betws parks become a blaze of colour as Autumn comes rolling in, and there are also Horse Chestnut trees for conkers, an autumn staple. Great places to sit and contemplate or take a leisurely walk!

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