Orllwyn Holiday Cottage, Llansteffan - things to do in Llansteffan

Centuries ago, Llansteffan was an important borough and port, with trade with France and Spain continuing into the 17th century. Despite its importance and popularity, it never expanded into more than just a large village. It received a new lease of life from the 18th century onwards as a major tourist attraction.

The coming of the railway to Carmarthen in 1852 gave rise to an increasing number of tourists and the existing ferry service connected with the trains to bring travellers across the waters to the village.

The tremendous growth of mining communities in the South Wales valleys, many of whom had connections with Carmarthenshire, led to many taking their holidays in Llansteffan. Until the 1960s, the village was transformed during the summer, with virtually every house full to capacity during ‘miners’ fortnight’. In its heyday, the village boasted 8 pubs in total.

A popular tradition was the 'election' of a Mock Mayor, usually a local or well-known visitor, held in the woodland known as the Sticks, where a stage and seating had been erected. The appointment was usually made with much comic speech making, rivalry and celebration.

Since the decline of the coal industry (and growth in air travel), Llansteffan is now a quieter, more serene holiday destination, but the old holiday traditions still remain such as the Mock Mayor election, fun run, country dancing on the square, carnival as well as various talent contests and concerts held by local villagers throughout the year.

These days Llansteffan lends itself to relaxing activities such as walking, bathing in the sea, fishing and boating. For the more energetic among us, there's horse-riding, quad-biking and tennis available. More information on the more popular pursuits can be found below.

Llansteffan forms part of the famous 'Three Rivers' combined estuary system of the rivers Towy (Tywi), Taf and Gwendraeth and offers excellent fishing opportunities for the keen angler. Fishing from the beach at Llansteffan can invariably yield catches such as bass, flounder, mullet, salmon and sea trout using only the lightest of tackle. Bear in mind that a migratory fish rod licence is required if you intend taking salmon or sea trout (sewin).

Estuaries are perfect for bait fishing and freshly dug marine worms such as ragworm or lugworm are invariably a good choice. These can be collected from the beach at low tide. Shellfish are also great baits and spinning is also recommended. Organised open fishing events are a common site on the beach throughout the year and are advertised locally.

If you prefer a spot of river fishing, local angling clubs at Carmarthen offer day or weekly tickets (permits) to fish stretches of the Towy and its tributaries, the Cothi and Gwili, where you can catch Brown Trout, Sewin and Salmon.

The Towy has long been recognised as supporting the best sea trout fishery in Britain, and possibly Western Europe. It is also high in the listing of Welsh salmon rivers. Techniques such as fly, spinning or bait fishing are recommended for the larger sewin that appear early in the season followed by the school fish from May onwards. Salmon are present throughout the season with the main run from September. Close season applies with all of these clubs, but there are a number of local ponds and lakes that offer year-round fishing for the avid angler.

Fishing at Scott's Bay, Llansteffan

Towy Boat Club was founded to "promote and encourage all forms of water-borne recreational facilities" and all developments at the club since inception have been directed towards this end. The club is currently one of only three in Wales geared specifically to the needs of disabled people and is regarded by the Welsh Yachting Association as the regional centre for West Wales.

It is a small family sailing club founded as recently as 1970's on the West bank of the Towy Estuary to promote all forms of water based leisure and sporting activity. Facilities consist of a fully accessible clubhouse, car & boat park, a jetty and pontoon, and forty mooring places in the bed of the River Towy. More information on the boat club can be found on their website.

Towy Boat Club, Llansteffan

Walking really is the best way to appreciate the spectacular scenery of Llansteffan - an area rich in history where you'll be walking in the footsteps of pilgrims.

There are a number of walks that you can take where you can see the spectacular views of Carmarthen Bay; evidence of the area's industrial heritage; salt marsh, woodland and grassland habitats; and you might see a range of species, from the common to the very rare. More details on the 'Llansteffan Wild Walk' is available on the BBC website.

The two Carmarthenshire Coastal Walks take in most of the notable sights Llansteffan has to offer including the castle, church, beach, cliff-top walkways, St Anthony's Well, Scott's Bay and Wharley Point.

These walks are easily navigated and marked by way of yellow arrows posted at various stages along the routes. A leaflet is available that features a map and additional information. For more information on these and other walks, go to the Carmarthenshire County Council website.

A walk down The Croft to the beach in Llansteffan