Carmarthen (Caerfyrddin)

Introducing Carmarthen (Caerfyrddin)

Carmarthenshire’s handsome county town is where legend locates the birthplace of Merlin, the famous wizard of the Arthurian legends. An oak tree planted in 1660 for Charles II’s coronation came to be called ‘Merlin’s Tree’ and was linked to a prophecy that its death would mean curtains for the town. But the tree died peacefully in the 1970s and the town still thrives. Pieces of the tree are kept under glass at the Carmarthenshire County Museum.

The town centre is on the northern bank of the River Tywi (often anglicised to Towy). The tourist office (231557; 113 Lammas St; 10am-5.30pm Mon-Sat Apr-Sep, 10am-4.30pm Mon-Sat Oct-Mar) is on the main street, a block west of the main bus stop on Blue St. The train station is 300m south, across the river.

Last updated: Sep 29, 2008