This large quaking bog is actually quite dangerous to walk out on to, but is a lovely example of a very deep peat bog.
Now neglected common land, the bog has become wooded and overgrown, there are only a few farmers still using the rights of the common to graze. Rarely talked about but a significant bog nonetheless, at 6 metres deeps this is one of the deepest peat bogs around and must have taken millennia to form. It gets sightings of Marsh fritilary butterfly, although less so since the bog became more wooded. Other rarities have been sighted up on the bog such as Dromius linearis. And just down the road is the fascinatingly named Pigyn Shon-Nicholas
“Remnant areas of wet pasture have been protected. Cors Farlais is an old glacial pingo, a roughly circular peat-filled hollow with marshy vegetation, and drier dwarf shrub heath on the drier pingo rims.” Wider information about the local geology is available here
The stunning Gwenffrwd Dinas Nature Reserve is just 35 minutes from Llansadwrn, the wild and craggy hillsides are covered in heather and billberry and the river roars alongside you much of the way.
This is a gorgeous walk for fairly fit people, although the first section is easily accessed via boardwalk and is well worth an explore.
You can visit the cave that Twm Sion Cati hid out in in the 1500s. A highway man and conman of some repute, he stole from the rich but apparently didn’t pass it onto the poor.
Gelli Aur Country Park and Arboretum is a great family day out. After many years of closure the cafe and playground are open again as is the nature trail to the quarry.
The magnificent arboretum is also open again and you can walk round for £4.50 an adult which covers the cost of the tree surgery work.
The pretty town of Llandeilo is a 15 minute drive from Llansadwrn, or a short bus ride.
Full of independent shops, cafes, a Gin Haus, a chocolatier, beautiful buildings, a castle, stunning woods and parkland, this is a real treat for visitors.
There are a number of beautiful walks around Llandeilo, from the bridge you can walk up through the woods to the Wildlife Trusts Dinefwr Castle, or stroll around the National Trust estate enjoying the ancient parkland.
There is an annual jazz festival, regular live music at the Angel, a fantastic fireworks display and much more in this very bustly market town.
Talley lakes
Managed by the local Wildlife Trust this little gem of a nature reserve are two lakes situated by the pretty village of Talley. Talley Lakes are a haven for wildlife.
Great Crested Grebes and Mute Swans regularly breed and Tufted Duck and Pochard visit. Goldeneye and Goosanders are also winter visitors. Scarce visitors have included Red-necked Grebe, Scaup, Smew, Whooper and Bewicks Swans as well as Flycatchers in the summer. The bird hide is great place to watch it all from.
The ancient abbey is also worth visiting.
