River Towy

Carmarthen, the land of Arthurian legend and pastoral beauty, is an appropriate setting for this bountiful waterway. The River Towy (Afon Tywi) flows from the Cambrian mountains in a south westerly direction, through Llandovery and Llandeilo to an estuary below the county town of Carmarthen. Verdant riverbanks, spectacular waterfalls, wild salmon and birdsong create an aura of timelessness around the 60 mile waterway, which is enhanced by the sight of local fishermen out on traditional coracles (small boats originally covered with animal skins).

River Teifi

The scenic river valley forms a natural boundary between the Ceredigion plateau (north) and the Carmarthenshire plateau (south). The Teifi is lauded as the Queen of game fishing rivers and it is hardly surprising that its vast quantities of salmon, trout and sewin (sea trout) attract anglers from far and wide. But not all tourists trek to the Teifi for the sake of the fish. The spectacular Cenarth Falls is just one of many memorable beauty spots.

An abundance of wildlife, from marine mammals to rare plants, adds to the Teifi's dramatic appeal. Dolphins and seals swim in the Teifi estuary, rare red kites fly over Cors Carn and leaping salmon delight visitors at Cenarth Falls.

Vales Of Afan And Neath

The countryside from Afan Valley to the Vale of Neath is renowned for its beauty and tranquillity.  As well as dramatic waterfalls, it boasts spectacular country and forest parks, meandering rivers and peaceful canals.  It's a popular destination for walking, cycling, orienteering, and camping.

Standing stones and cairns high on the sides of the Afan Valley are evidence of human occupation over thousands of years. Coal mining fuelled the development of the many villages in the Afan valley but fortunately none of the environmental damage associated with mining remains and the valley has been returned to a heavily wooded and green landscape known locally as ‘little Switzerland’.

The deep gorges of the rivers Mellte, Hepste and Nedd Fechan, between the villages of Pontneddfechan and Ystradfellte, provide varied opportunities for both the casual and more experienced walker and are home to the aformentioend waterfalls for which the region is famous. Many of the falls are spectacular, and the colours of the beautiful surrounding countryside mean that they are well worth visiting several times through the seasons as the natural backdrop changes colour dramatically.

One of the most famous waterfalls is Sgwd yr Eira which attracts more than 160,000 visitors a year. The dazzling waterfall has captured the hearts of thousands of visitors who are able to walk the path behind the waterfall which has been used by sheep farmers for centuries. In 2004 this area was designated as an SAC (Special Area of Conservation) primarily for its old sessile oak and ash woodland habitat which is considered to be one of the best examples in the UK. The humid atmosphere in the steep shaded gorges provides an ideal environment for rare ferns, lichens and mosses to flourish.

Melin Court Falls

Slightly more accessible but no less impressive is Melincourt Falls; a spectacular 80ft/2525m high waterfall on Melin Court Brook, a left-bank tributary of the Neath River, located 1 mile south of Resolven in the county borough of Neath Port Talbot, south Wales. It is formed where the brook plunges over a resistant band of 'Lower Pennant Sandstone' in a 13 acre / 5 hectare nature reserve managed by the Wildlife Trust of South and West Wales. The falls have been drawing visitors for at least two centuries - they are certainly known to have inspired J. M. W. Turner to paint them in 1794. The falls are considered by some to constitute a part of Waterfall Country though the bulk of these falls are a few miles further northeast at the head of the Vale of Neath.

Aberdulais Falls

Equally well-known is Aberdulais Falls, where you can see Europe's largest electricity-generating water wheel set amongst historic remains and the backdrop of a magnificent waterfall. For over 400 years, the thundering power of Aberdulais Falls provided the energy to drive the wheels of industry, from the smelting of copper in 1584 for coins to the later tinplate. Today, it is the only survivor of a small powered tin works. The waterwheel generates electricity, which makes the site self-sufficient in environmentally friendly energy – truly a green attraction!

A little more formal than Afan Forest Park, Margam Country Park, set in 1000 acres, not only offers splendid landscapes, architecture, rich heritage and a cultural past but is also host to many events throughout the year – from craft and country shows to literature days. The park is home to one of the best deer herds in Britain, dating back to Norman times. The magnificent 18th Century Orangery and the Tudor-gothic style Victorian Mansion House, 12th Century Chapter house and ornamental gardens are enjoyed by young and old alike.

Dan Yr Ogof Caves

Dan yr Ogof is a 17 kilometres (11 mi) long cave system in south Wales, five miles north of Ystradgynlais and fifteen miles south west of Brecon within the Brecon Beacons National Park. It is the main feature of a show cave complex (advertised as The National Showcaves Centre for Wales) which is claimed to be the largest in Europe and is one of the major tourist attractions in Wales. The first section of the cave system is open to the public, but the extensive cave system beyond is scheduled as a National Nature Reserve and is open only to bona-fide cavers.

The bones of some 42 humans, as well as numerous animal bones, have been found in one of the nearby chambers of this cave system. In a 2005 poll of Radio Times readers, Dan yr Ogof was named as the greatest natural wonder in Britain.