Explore West Wales

Primrose Cottage is idyllically situated within 6 acres of secluded meadow woodland in Dylan Thomas' Fernhill Valley, just south of Carmarthen and only 3 miles from the unspoiled estuary village of Llansteffan. The location is perfect for visiting many attractions on offer in south and west Wales, exploring castles, sea fishing, mountain biking, walking and enjoying beautiful sandy beaches. Carmarthen is a bustling market town with a good shopping centre and the friendly neighbourhood "taverns" of Llangian and Llansteffan offer excellent food. The nearest beach is at Llansteffan, 3 miles away, which is a long sandy beach with the Castle ruins on the hill above.

Location

Situated near the bank of the Afon Tywi, the parish extends from near Johnstown to Llansteffan in one direction and from Llangynog to the river in another and consists of very pleasant countryside with gentle hills reaching 350 ft/105m (Trig Point) and stretches of woodlands. The parish encloses an area of almost 3,000 acres (12 km2).

Green Castle is a local landmark at the sharp bend on the B4312. The ruins of the impressive, late medieval residence still stand. It was never a castle but a residence built for the Reed family in the early 15th century and was in ruin in Elizabethan times. It is possible there had been some earthen fortification there at one time. Until recent times ships used to lie at anchor below to off load onto lighter vessels for transport to Carmarthen.

The present church of St Cain was built in 1871. There is a beautiful tiled mural on either side of the altar in memory of the Gwyn family of Pilroath and Plas Cwrthir. An Elizabethan chalice is dated 1576. The congregational chapel is a prominent landmark within the parish. Originally built in 1835, it was rebuilt in 1865 and restored in 1915. The white building provided stabling for horses during chapel services. The loft served as the vestry.

Fernhill, a manor house dating back to 1723 and listed as a grade II building for its architectural and historic connection. Famous as a frequent childhood holiday retreat of the world renowned poet Dylan Thomas (1914–1953), it became immortalised in one of his best-known poems, Fernhill. Fernhill is also known for its association with the notorious county hangman, Robert Rickets Evans who lived there at the turn of the 20th century. His daughter was heiress to a fortune. He imprisoned her in a cell in the courtyard (which can still be seen today) to gain her fortune, but her lover helped her to escape, according to folklore. The story has been confirmed in more recent research, which has also described Thomas' stays at Fernhill and the extent of his family connections in the Llangain area.