Abergwili

Carmarthenshire Museum stands within Parc Yr Esgob, in the former Palace of the Bishops of St Davids. On display at the museum is Merlin’s Oak which, according to legend, was planted in Carmarthen by the legendary wizard. Look out for wildfowl and dragonflies around Bishop’s Pond, and at dusk watch horseshoe bats sweep out from the museum buildings.

Watching over the valley is Merlin’s Hill (Bryn Myrddin), believed to be the final resting place of King Arthur’s advisor. With picnic spots, quiet corners and views across the Tywi Valley, this landscape invites you to experience history, legend and nature together.

Whitemill

Here at Whitemill, the Afon Tywi flows through the landscape famed among anglers for generations. Beautiful in every season, it’s known for the early morning mist “dragon’s breath” that drifts across its banks. Listen for the call of Kingfishers, watch Sand Martins skimming the water, and look for signs of Otters along the banks.

In 1986, former U.S. President Jimmy Carter came here to fish these celebrated waters, once renowned for record-breaking sturgeon. The largest, caught in 1932, weighed 388lb and measured 9ft long.

Nantgaredig

Here the Afon Cothi, the largest tributary of the River Tywi, flows from its source near the Roman Goldmines in Pumsaint. Now owned by the National Trust, it winds through fields shaped by centuries of rural life.

Much of the path follows the route of a former railway line closed in 1963. Nearby lies Maes y Crug, a Bronze Age round barrow - a reminder of the people who worked this land in prehistoric times.

Afon Tywi

The Tywi is the longest river that runs through Wales, totalling 75 miles from mountain to sea.

With shingle banks, protected for their rare birds, fish and invertebrates, this stretch was used for centuries by travellers crossing by bridge or ferry, linking farms, trade routes and markets. Today, hedgerows at nearby Bremenda Isaf are carefully managed for wildlife with picnic spots and seating available.

Llanarthne

Paxton’s Tower is a striking landmark built in 1811 by Sir William Paxton, owner of Middleton Hall (now the site of the National Botanic Garden of Wales).

Remnants of the old Llanarthne railway and its bridge abutments edge fields where hedgehogs and badgers move through long established hedgerows.

Dryslwyn

The ruins of Dryslwyn Castle crown a steep hill rising from the Tywi floodplain, once defended by the Welsh noble Rhys ap Maredudd during his revolt of 1287 against the English Crown. Today, the castle remains an imposing ruin, looking out over meadows where wildfowl gather noisily.

In 1798, J. M. W. Turner painted Dryslwyn, creating detailed watercolours and sketches of the castle above the River Tywi; these works are now held in the Tate Gallery London.

Allt Pantglas

Step onto the boardwalk and wander alongside wet woodlands alive with wildlife. Listen for the soft rustle of deer in the trees and the gentle calls of Herons and Egrets gliding over shimmering ponds. Pause at the picnic spot tucked beside the water and enjoy the calm.

The ancient woodland creates shaded corridors where bats flit at dusk and woodland birds find refuge. Scattered parkland trees offer stepping stones for wildlife and resting spots for grazing animals.

Dinefwr

As you walk along the boardwalk, the medieval stronghold of Dinefwr Castle rises above you, once home to the powerful Rhys ap Gruffudd. Below it stands Newton House, once home to Rhys ap Thomas, said to have killed Richard III at the Battle of Bosworth. The grand mansion seen today sits within gardens surrounded by grazing herds of White Park cattle.

Hawthorn and Blackthorn bloom in spring and bear fruit in autumn. The old railway cutting adds a sense of industrial heritage, and the meandering rivers' shingle banks support invertebrates and nesting birds.

Ffairfach

Above Ffairfach, you'll find Llandeilo, a historic market town full of boutique shops, cafés, restaurants and St Teilo’s Church dedicated to the 6th century Welsh saint where an exhibition can be seen of the St Teilo Gospels, a precious early medieval manuscript created by local monks in this area.

Nearby, Coed Tregib woodland shelters dormice, red kites, buzzards, and a chorus of woodland birds among mature oaks and hedgerows. Beneath your feet, in the grounds of Dinefwr, lie the hidden traces of two Roman forts, where soldiers were once based and coins and pottery have been found.

Parkrun - Every Saturday at 9am the 5k Parkrun takes place from Station Road, Nantgaredig, SA32 7LQ. The event is free and all abilities are welcome to take part.

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Linked walks - For a circular walk off the Tywi Valley Path why not try the Pontargothi trail? It encompasses three small villages - Nantgaredig, Pont-ar-gothi and Llanegwad - with plenty of heritage and history to explore.

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