KIDWELLY / CYDWELI www.yourlocalcrowd.co.uk/kidwelly
More than just its castle, Kidwelly has an industrial past to soak up and plenty more besides
©Sam Jones
‘Cetgueli’ was recorded as early as the 9th Century AD – the name probably reflecting the fact that the town occupies the site where 2 riverbeds (Gwendraeth Fach and Gwendraeth Fawr) meet – ‘Cyd’ – joint ‘Gweli’ – bed. The Norman invasion saw the establishment of Kidwelly castle, redesigned by Edward I as part of the ‘ring of steel’ oppression of the Welsh, and the ancient town – and the castle – saw plenty of action during the Welsh rebellions led by Owain Glyndwr. The town was an important commercial centre during the 14th century, although fortunes declined as the Gwendraeth Estuary silted up. During the 18th Century, things picked up with the export of coal from Gwendraeth Fawr, and then the establishment of a large brickworks and tin works, although little evidence of this industry remains today. Kidwelly also has a Dylan Thomas claim to fame, giving its name to Captain Cat’s boat the SS Kidwelly in Under Milk Wood.
KidwellyCastle
www.yourlocalcrowd.co.uk
ACCOMMODATION, FOOD & DRINK 4 star B&B accommodation can be found at Kidwelly Bed & Breakfast. enjoy life on the farm at Kidwelly Farm Cottages where you can self cater or B&B, or make the most of sea views in a holiday chalet. Anthony’s Hotel and The White Lion are pubs offering evening meals, or just outside Kidwelly at Llandyfaelog try the Red Lion. You’ll find café style lunches, teas coffees and cake at Time for Tea and The Gatehouse. Burns Farm Shop at Parc y Bocs offers the opportunity to buy local, seasonal produce as well as to relax with a cup of coffee. NEED TO KNOW Getting to Kidwelly: Kidwelly is connected to Llanelli and Carmarthen by the A484 Parking: There are carparks on Station Road and Bridge Street Public Transport: There’s a railway connection in Kidwelly on the West Wales Line from Carmarthen and Pembroke Dock; some scheduled bus services.
For links go to www.yourlocalcrowd/kidwelly
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Kidwelly Castle is well preserved and a must for visitors to the area. Managed by CADW, it is a great example of a ‘motte and bailey’ castle, and was used as a location in Monty Python and the Search for the Holy Grail! St Mary’s church which was originally built in the 12th century and rebuilt in the 14th century after being destroyed by fire, boasts some fine architectural features. The Kidwelly Industrial Museum houses the oldest surviving tinplate works in Europe – at one point, around half of the world’s tinplate production happened in the Kidwelly/Llanelli area – this is your chance to find out more – and it’s free! For nature lovers, there’s the Glyn Yr Afon nature reserve which extends the Llanelli Millennium Coastal Path to the west, home to a wide variety of wildlife – and to one of the largest populations of bee orchids in Wales. Kidwelly is also not far from the National Botanic Garden at Llanarthne. If you fancy a day at the races, you’re not far from Ffos Las racecourse, or book in for a round of golf.
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19/03/2017 16:32