Carmarthenshire (dead link: August 2020) (Welsh: Sir Gaerfyrddin or Sir Gâr) is a county in south west Wales. It is bounded to the north west by Ceredigion, the west by Pembrokeshire, the east by Glamorgan and to the north east by Powys
Carmarthenshire is a largely rural county and has rich farmland and a large agricultural industry. It has some of the most fertile land in Wales and is known as the Garden of Wales. Carmarthenshire is an ancient county and historically the largest traditional county of Wales, which modern Carmarthenshire shares roughly the same boundaries.
The Prince of Wales's Welsh home is located near the village of Myddfai in Carmarthenshire.
Arriva Trains Wales run the vast majority of Services in the area, with First Great Western running a small number of through trains to London.
Train services from Shrewsbury, via central Wales on the scenic Heart of Wales Line call at Ammanford and Llanelli.
The only east–west line through Carmarthenshire is the West Wales line on which direct Arriva Trains Wales services from Manchester, Newport, Cardiff and Swansea call at Llanelli and Carmarthen as well as many other smaller stations. First Great Western trains from London only run directly to Llanelli and Carmarthen during the summer months. At other times, a change at Swansea or Newport is required.
National Express operate coach services to Carmarthen from Blackpool, Birmingham and London (Victoria). The TrawsCambria service from Cardiff Bay to Aberystwyth calls at Carmarthen. To Llanelli, National Express operate regular coach services from London (Victoria).
See Carmarthenshire government bus page
The ferry ports at Pembroke Dock and Fishguart are approximately an hour away from Carmarthenshire, offering ferry services between south Wales and Ireland.
The best way to travel around Carmarthenshire is by private car.
See also Carmarthenshire government bus page
Aberglasney near Llandeilo
Black Mountain, the range of mountains on the far western part of the Brecon Beacons National Park falls within Carmarthenshire. This part of the Brecon Beacons is far less visited than the central and western parts but is no less spectacular.
National Botanic Garden of Wales, Llanarthne, 51.839888°, -4.15157°, +44 1558 667149. This garden was created in the new millennium and features over 100,000 plants set in a 568 acre regency park. Includes the world's largest single span glass house.
Carmarthen and Llanelli offer the best opportunities in Carmarthenshire. Carmarthen contains chain restaurants such as Pizza Express, Frankie and Benny's, Harvester and the Real China as well as fast food eateries McDonalds and KFC. Outside of the town are a number of independent restaurants including Y Polyn (AA restaurant of the year for Wales 2010), The Cors in Laugharne (located in a bog garden) and Hurst House (previously owned by Neil Morrissey).
Llanelli has the best collection of pubs and bars in Carmarthenshire.
The area is by and large bi-lingual. Welsh and English are both widely used.
Primary administrative division