DUBBED the Garden of Wales, Carmarthenshire is hoping to earn another moniker as the ‘capital of cosy’ with its new ‘cwtch’ guide.
Fans of the TV show Gavin & Stacey will be familiar with the Welsh word cwtch, which loosely translates to cuddle or hug.
Located in the west of the country, Carmarthenshire claims to be the ‘cosy capital’ of Wales thanks to wool-themed attractions and dark skies[/caption]
The Welsh county is filled with colourful market towns like Llandovery where visitors will find shops selling cosy wool blankets[/caption]
The Inn at the Sticks was named the Best Local Restaurant in Wales in the Good Food Guide[/caption]
Similar to the Dutch ‘hygge’, new guide Cwtch up in Carmarthenshire, suggests nine different ways visitors can enjoy a cosy winter break as the wait for summer continues.
One of those is going to the quirky National Museum of Wool.
With more sheep than people in Wales (outnumbering humans four to one), visitors to the museum will learn how wool is processed from fleece to fabric, before trying their hand at traditional skills like spinning.
The county of Carmarthenshire is also home to Weave and Walk workshops hosted by walk leader Lisa from Quiet Walks.
To get really cosy, you can shop for things like vintage blankets and locally made jumpers in Carmarthenshire, with a top spot being Bumble Bees of Llandovery and Davies & Co in Llandovery.
Other attractions in the colourful Welsh town include a monthly farmer’s market, which is set to restart for the summer season in April – it’s the perfect place to stock up on wholesome grub.
The towns of Llandeilo and Newcastle Emlyn also have their own wool shops.
Grab a bite to eat at the Inn at the Sticks, Llansteffan, which was named the Best Local Restaurant in Wales in the Good Food Guide.
The 18th-century establishment serves a hearty Welsh breakfast as well as other top-notch grub like a beef wellington, cod platters and steak.
Other cosy food spots include artisan bakery Pitchfork & Provision in Llanarthne and Flows in Llandeilo, which has been described as ‘gourmand heaven’ by Discover Carmarthenshire.
At the National Wool Museum (pictured), families can learn about how wool is processed all the way from fleece to fabric[/caption]
The Inn at the Sticks serves a hearty Welsh breakfast as well as other top-notch grub like a beef wellington, cod platters and steak[/caption]
Hearty meals can also be found at Y Castell, a pub in Llangadog where rooms are slated to open for overnight guests.
And for a proper winter stay, there’s also the Castle Hotel in Llangadog where guests can bundle up in a four-poster bed.
An hour’s drive west of Laugharne lies Brown’s Hotel – the No.1 boutique hotel in Wales.
Its beds are made from premium Welsh wool, only adding to its cosy atmosphere.
The Brown’s Hotel also happened to be the favoured watering hole of poet Dylan Thomas.
Other celebrities like President Carter, Mick Jagger, Pierce Brosnan, and Cerys Matthews have all stopped for a drink at its bar.
Despite what you may think, not every cosy activity needs to be next to roaring fire, especially when outdoor attractions are part of the county’s fabric.
The Brown’s Hotel was a favoured watering hole of poet Dylan Thomas[/caption]
Wales is also home to the highest percentage of land protected by Dark Skies status in the world – where there is the least light pollution.
Guided full moon walks take place in Bannau Brycheiniog or the Cambrian Mountain.
Those who don’t want to trek underneath the night’s sky can keep warm and stargaze in a hot tub at Cambrian Escapes’ luxury, two-bedroom cottage, Glan-yr-afon, near Llandovery.
Alternatively, visitors to the Welsh county can watch the stars in a log cabin at Glangwili Mansion, a five-star bed and breakfast.
Visitors to Carmarthenshire can also go on coffee-making courses at Coaltowns, which will certainly keep cold hands toasty.
In the workshops, visitors can expand their coffee knowledge, delving into the theory of espressos and brewing basics.
Workshops start from £20 per person.
What is it like to visit Carmarthenshire?
THE Sun’s Jess Lester recently visited Carmarthenshire, here’s what she thought…
Picture the glorious rolling hills of the west Welsh coast, miles of sprawling white sands and quaint country cottages.
Welcome to the often-overlooked Carmarthenshire, the charming Garden of Wales that would rival many European holiday hotspots, packed with hidden cove beaches, medieval castles and even vineyards.
Just east of the Coast National Park in Pembroke, the region is a paradise for all things outdoors.
Pendine beach stretches as far as the eye can see and, at low tide, visitors can walk for miles along the limestone boulders on the shoreline.
Llanelli’s Millennium Coastal Park, which spans 12 miles through marshland and green parks, is home to an extensive bird sanctuary with coastal species and flamingos.
The best views, though, are those of the magnificent valley which can be seen from Dinefwr Castle.
It’s a challenging trek and you’ll have to scale rolling hills, but the scenery makes the hard work worth it.
We rewarded our efforts with a hearty brunch at the nearby Wright’s Food Emporium (shop.wrightsfood.co.uk), which serves bubble and squeak and freshly-baked cakes.
As well as walking routes, these lands are a haven for foragers.
A coastal foraging session with expert Craig Evans and dog Llew is a once-in-a-lifetime experience and an absolute must for foodies.
Over several hours, Craig taught us how to locate prawns, crabs, and lobsters, plus coastal-growing fruit and veg.
Our fishy finds were cooked there and then in the sand, atop a hand-made stove, while we watched the sun set over the sea.
If you’re after classic Welsh grub that you don’t have to cook yourself, grab a quick snack and a bottle of Welsh-brewed tipple from The London House Butchery in Whitland.
Meanwhile, the owners of Coastal Cottages of Pembrokeshire reveal their top three hidden gems in the Welsh tourist hotspot.
And the UK’s unlikely new ‘best city’ is my favourite weekend break – it has the friendliest people in the country.
Other celebrities like Mick Jagger, Pierce Brosnan, and Cerys Matthew have all stopped for a drink at the Brown’s Hotel[/caption]
Discover Carmarthenshire have released a new guide, Cwtch up in Carmarthenshire, which features nine themed winter breaks for holidaymakers[/caption]
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