7 reasons why you need to visit Llandeilo Wales

One of the first things that will strike you about Llandeilo, a small market town in Carmarthenshire Wales, is the abundance of colourful houses that line the streets. What’s even more impressive is that there isn’t a single Instagrammer to be seen here.

Despite its delightfully ‘shabby chic feel’ set against a countryside backdrop, there are no snap-happy gram girls posing in front of doors.

Why you need to visit Llandeilo

It’s definitely one of the more Instagrammable places in Wales but without huge crowds clamouring to get photos.

Unlike the quaint pastel-coloured crescents of Notting Hill, no one is directing photoshoots on residents doorsteps. It’s wildly refreshing.

Read my guide on 7 reasons why you need to visit Llandeilo and get inspired to book a weekend break in Wales today.

Reasons to visit Llandeilo

Picturesque streets aside, there are many reasons to visit Llandeilo. This charming community features boutique shops, cute cafes, country walks and historic homes.

I’ve included a wide range of activity suggestions and things to do in this guide to tailor your Llandeilo trip.

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Discover boutique shopping in Llandeilo

Llandeilo has a huge array of small independent shops, making it one of the best shopping destinations in Wales. You can definitely spend a whole day discovering all the shopping delights of the town.

Llandeilo Stores range from fashion boutiques, butchers, chocolate emporium, furniture, crafts, menswear and jewellers. There is something for everyone here.

Independent shops in Llandeilo include:

Heavenly
The Little Welsh Dresser
Barr & Co
Chess Menswear
Bellissimo
Rig Out Boutique
Igam Ogam

Shopkeepers also take their window displays very seriously here. Enjoy elaborate displays that follow the seasons as retailers try to entice you.

Go gin tasting at Ginhaus Deli

Ginhaus Deli has an impressive range of gins to sample and even has a “Wall of Gin” on display.

It’s the perfect place for a boozy afternoon to spend a few hours sampling their collection of over 240 gins from over 46 different countries.

Monday 16 October 2017 Pictured: Ginhaus, Carmarthenshire Re: Winter Hampers at The Ginhaus, Llandeilo, Carmarthenshire

gin haus Llandeilo — Monday 16 October 2017 Pictured: Ginhaus, Carmarthenshire Re: Winter Hampers at The Ginhaus, Llandeilo, Carmarthenshire

Sample their gins responsibly I might also add darlings. You don’t want to be clutching a bottle of Bombay Sapphire at 3 in the afternoon, whilst forlornly singing ‘Total eclipse of the heart’ do you? Not that I am speaking from experience of course.

Ginhaus is also tantalisingly close to achieving the title of ‘largest collection of gins in Wales’. They stock a good range of artisan gins as well as a selection of famous Welsh gins.

Some of their gin offerings include:

Death’s Door
Bulldog
Bathtub
Bloom
Brecon
Da Mhile
Eccentric

They also stock a range of Tonics and mixers from Fevertree and have a great selection of dishes and deli items to soak up all that gin.

Learn furniture painting at the Little Welsh Dresser

I recommend an Annie Sloan Chalk Paint Workshop at the Little Welsh Dresser Shop if you fancy having a fabulously middle-class morning. This boutique store in the centre of Llandeilo is full of Welsh gifts, cards, crafts and of course chalk paint.

The workshops take place at the back of the store under the expert instruction of store owner Ben. All you need to do is bring along a piece of furniture that’s in need of a bit of upcycling love.

The chalk paint workshop was our first foray into the exciting world of furniture painting. We brought along a sad-looking old Ikea coffee table that was in desperate need of an upgrade.

Ben talked us through the various chalk paint methods and we decided to go with Annie Sloan’s ‘signature’ look, ‘two colour distressing.’

Little Welsh Dresser workshop

We spent a few hours painting, distressing and waxing as we talked about the shop’s long history and general Llandeilo.

Ben is a brilliant workshop leader and business owner, giving clear and concise instructions on how best to paint our table to make it look as good as possible.

The cost of a chalk paint workshop is £20 per hour and the recommended time 2 to 3 hours, depending on the piece of furniture that you bring.

We ended up with a lovely distressed coffee table that adds an element of Scanid-cool to our house and means we can ‘out hipster’ visiting friends.

Of course, no one is now permitted to actually put down a cup of coffee on our lovely table, you’ll just have to hold it i’m afraid.

Have a fancy dinner at The Cawdor

When visiting Llandelio, you need to go on a dinner date at The Cawdor, one of the best places to eat in Llandeilo. The Cawdor is a 4-star boutique hotel located right in the centre of Llandeilo.

As soon as you enter, you will feel the relaxing, unpretentious atmosphere of this stylish hotel and restaurant.

The Cawdor has a well-deserved reputation for serving fresh seasonal produce. Their menu items are sourced from farmers and local suppliers and are also beautifully plated and presented.

The hotel has a long historic timeline that dates back to 1765, adding to its charm. The Cawdor has been recently refurbished but has retained the heritage and style of the Georgian building it resides in. There are also plenty of modern features and amenities as well.

The Cawdor menu

Typical Cawdor menu offerings include:

Duo of Welsh lamb
Welsh steaks
Roasted Mediterranean vegetables and tomato risotto
Heritage pork and leek sausages

They also have an impressive wine list that we enjoyed sampling. Apologies for loudly announcing that I thought the barman had “very brushable hair”. That was the vino talking.

The Cawdor is also a great place to stay in Llandeilo due to its central location. Why not check out rates and book a stay at the Cawdor?

Check rates and book the Cawdor

Go for a scenic walk in Llandeilo

Plenty of scenic walks take you through the countryside surrounding Llandeilo.

Llandeilo has several marked footpaths in the area, woodland trails, wildlife walks and nature reserve strolls nearby.

You can follow countryside paths to places like Carreg Cennen Castle, which is around four miles southeast of Llandeilo or visit the impressive Dinefwr Park.

Here, you’ll find a 12th-century castle, a historic house, an 18th-century landscaped park and a medieval deer park with walking trails.

Llandeilo picnic

If you fancy lunch on the go, why not pack a picnic for your Llandelio walk? There are many lovely locations for a picnic in Llandeilo, one of our favourite spots is near the historic Bandstand in Penlan Park.

You can always pack your picnic, full of local Welsh produce, if you fancy yourself a picnic connoisseur like me.

Visit a chocolate emporium

Prepare yourself for chocolate indulgence at the Heavenly Chocolate Emporium where you will find delicious cakes, chocolate and ice cream.

This boutique chocolate palace is run and founded by multi-award-winning chocolatier Tracey Kindred, who makes incredible chocolate on the premises.

In the store, you can buy a range of chocolate gift boxes, love hearts, chocolate love spoons and chocolate bars.

100g chocolate bars available in the following flavours:

Milk chocolate
Dark chocolate 70%
White chocolate
Milk fruit ‘n nut
Dark fruit ‘n nut
Dark dinner mint crisp

Chocolate tasting experience

If you fancy a unique, chocolate-filled evening, then the Heavenly also offers ‘chocolate tasting’ events throughout the year.

During this sugar-filled event, you’ll get a brief history of chocolate and how it has become a much-loved indulgence.

You will then have the chance to try seven different types of chocolate and watch a chocolate demo by expert chocolatier Tracey Kindred.

Chocolate-tasting tickets cost around £18 per person and also include refreshments and a gift bag of truffles to take home.

Attend Llandeilo Festival of senses

Llandeilo Festival of Senses is an annual free pre-Christmas festival that is ridiculously popular with locals and visitors.

The festival is run by a committee of local businesses and organisations and has grown to be the largest annual festival held in Carmarthenshire.

The Festival of Senses lasts for three days in November and is designed for visitors to get the full Christmas shopping experience in Llandeilo.

Enjoy a range of music, entertainment, fireworks, foodies experiences and shopping opportunities as the community comes together.

Where to stay in Llandeilo?

Llandeilo has a brilliant range of accommodation if you’re looking for somewhere to stay for the weekend?

Choose from boutique Hotels, charming, traditional B&B’s, modern AirBnb’s and self-catering holiday cottages.

You can find a hotel to suit your budget and length of time by using travel resources such as Booking.com to find the best hotel deals in the area.

Some of the best places to stay in Llandeilo include:

Check rates and book a hotel in Llandeilo

The Nest at Bentley’s Llandeilo

If you want to stay right in the centre of Llandeilo, why not book a luxury Airbnb and stay at The Nest at Bentley’s?

Book The Nest at Bentley’s on Airbnb and spoil yourself with a lovely boutique Airbnb in Llandeilo. It’s a swish, upscale townhouse that is conveniently located right by all the shops and restaurants.

The house was built in the 1830s and combines its original features with contemporary style and modern amenities.

Why visit Llandeilo?

Llandeilo is one of the most attractive market towns in Wales. I love its colourful houses, foodie finds, and boutique shops.

Llandeilo is a great weekend break in the UK if you want a unique shopping and dining experience with a charming small-town feel.

Whether you are having a romantic break, a family trip or a shopping trip with the girls, there is something for everyone. Would you visit Llandeilo? Let me know in the comments below.

Recommended travel resources

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