Set between the larger towns of Llandysul and Newcastle Emlyn, the small villages of Saron and Rhos offer a peaceful way of life while offering easy access to amenities such as leisure centres, schools and shops.

The countryside around both villages is perfect for walking, cycling and horse riding, while the stunning Cardigan Bay coastline is less than half an hour away, offering wonderful beaches, water sports and wildlife to discover.

If you’re thinking of buying a home in Carmarthenshire or West Wales, then you can discover more about Saron and Rhos in this guide, or read about other towns and villages in our location guides. Alternatively, please get in touch with Helen or Tania and we’ll be happy to discuss your property search to help you find the right location for your requirements.

History

If you’re fascinated by history then you won’t be disappointed in this part of the British Isles.

The area’s recent history revolved around the woollen industry, which saw many mills established through the 19th century, using the wool from the sheep reared in the surrounding countryside.

Today the mills are closed, but at the National Wool Museum, housed in a former mill at Drefach Felindre, you can still discover the story of the success of the Welsh woollen industry and its decline as cheaper imports took over.

History dating back to the Iron Age can be found just outside Llandysul where the hill fort of Pen Coed-Foel, which dates to around 800 BC – AD74, can still be seen. Originally a camp with a stone enclosure, it now has double ramparts which enclose an area of around 4.5 acres. 

Both Saron and Rhos have their own chapels – Saron Chapel dates back to 1792 and gave its name to the village, while Rhos has a small church and chapel from the early 20th century.

Tourism & Recreation

As well as discovering the fascinating history of this part of Wales, residents and visitors have plenty of activities and sports to enjoy here. It’s one of the reasons that the area is becoming increasingly popular with those looking for a house for sale in Carmarthenshire.

The rolling countryside is home to a fantastic choice of paths and bridleways, perfect for walking, mountain biking and horse riding. Road cyclists too will love the quiet roads of West Wales, while a little further away at the Cardigan Bay coast there’s the famed Ceredigion Coastal Path, which runs for 60 miles and offers fabulous views and the chance to see some of the wildlife of the area such as dolphins and seals.

The coastline is also home to some of the best beaches in the UK, with the pretty beach of Llangrannog about half an hour’s drive from these villages. This beach is popular all year round, with families and surfers loving the relaxed vibe and friendly beach cafes such as Caffi Patio and The Beach Hut.

Other beaches in the area worth visiting include Aberporth with its two sheltered sandy beaches; Mwnt, owned by the National Trust; New Quay with its three very different beaches; and pretty Aberaeron with its Regency-style houses, harbour and beach.

With so many beaches to choose from, it’s no surprise that water sports are very popular here. Surfing is loved by many here, with a quick surf before or after work quite normal! Other water sports available include kitesurfing, windsurfing, wakeboarding, kayaking and paddle boarding.

Fishing is also very popular here, and with the clean waters of Cardigan Bay as well as the famed River Teifi, fishermen and women have plenty of choice. Contact the Llandysul Angling Association to find out more about their fishing rights over 30 miles of the River Teifi.

For anyone with a taste for adventure, Llandysul Paddlers offer something  a little different – try canyoning, river swimming, climbing and more with their experienced team. 

If cricket is more your thing then Llandysul Cricket Club has a number of teams. The club’s first XI play in the first division of the South Wales Cricket Association and the second XI in the fifth division. There are also junior teams at all levels in the South Wales Junior Cricket League. 

For swimming and fitness classes both Llandysul and Newcastle Emlyn have their own leisure centres with swimming pools. At Llandysul, there’s also a fitness suite, gymnastics, climbing, kids sports and more, while at Newcastle Emlyn there are squash courts, a gym and a spin studio.

There is also a range of tourist attractions in this part of West Wales. The National Wool Museum can be found just outside Drefach Felindre, while Coed Y Foel is a Woodland Trust nature reserve a little way north of Llandysul. There’s also the Teifi Valley Railway, a renowned narrow gauge railway with a steam engine, around three miles away, as well as historic castles, including Carmarthen Castle, Cardigan Castle and the ruins of Newcastle Emlyn Castle.

Shopping

You won’t find large supermarkets in this part of West Wales. Instead, there is a range of specialist, independent shops selling everything from pet accessories to fireplaces! 

The closest convenience stores to these villages are at Pentre-cwrt and Drefach Felindre, where there are Premier shops selling a good range of essential items. Just outside Saron is Davies Daniel & Sons, a pet care store, while in the neighbouring village of Drefelin is the Pen and Paper stationery shop.

At Drefach Felindre (about five minutes away) is Y Pantri Bach, a great health food shop, selling everything from locally grown veg to organic oats and pancake mix. Just north of Saron at Pantwn there’s also the lovely Gwili Pottery – a family business for over 40 years – which sells a beautiful choice of hand painted pottery.

For larger food shops and specialist stores you can head to either Llandysul or Newcastle Emlyn. In Llandysul there’s a Spar and a CK Foodstore, as well as a fruit shop, a butcher, a book shop and more. In Newcastle Emlyn there’s a Co-op Food store and independent shops such as the Soap Shack and the famed Cardigan Bay Brownies, as well as butchers, florists and a health food shop.

For more choice in your shopping you can drive around 30 minutes to Cardigan or Carmarthen where you’ll find larger supermarkets such as Tesco and Aldi, as well as branches of banks such as HSBC and Lloyds, and a good choice of smaller specialist shops.

Eating & Drinking

This part of West Wales has a growing selection of cafes, restaurants and food shops, ensuring something for all tastes!

In Rhos there’s The Lamb of Rhos, a popular restaurant, bar and B&B – if you’d like to spend some time in the area before buying here.

Five minutes’ drive north at Henllan is The Leeky Barrel Welsh Bistro & Shop, a fabulous bistro serving local specialities such as Welsh Rarebit, cockles and laverbread, and Welsh cawl.

In the neighbouring village of Drefach Felindre try Tafarn John Y Gwas, which serves a choice of beers, alongside good fresh food, or The Red Lion, a 19th century pub that offers home cooked food and a friendly atmosphere.

In Llandysul there are more restaurants, coffee shops and takeaways, including Ffab Cymru, which is a lovely cafe and gift shop; Buon Appetito with its Italian coffees and deli products; and Nyth Y Robin, which sells antiques alongside some delicious food. For takeaways try the Taj Llandysul, Dan l’Sang, or Pizza Choice.

If you’re looking for even more choice, a short drive into Newcastle Emlyn opens up additional options. The Travelling Teapot and Y Cwtch Coffi – both on Sycamore Street – offer good coffee and snacks, ideal if you’re catching up with friends. There’s also Harrison’s Brasserie, set in lovely gardens next to the River Teifi, while for an easy meal head to Flames Kebab Shop or the Moonlight Indian Restaurant for a takeaway.

If you love vegan food then keep an eye out for Veganishmum, a pop-up restaurant that serves a great range of dishes such as Buddha boxes and sticky toffee pudding. 

Healthcare

Depending on where you buy your new home, the closest medical services to these villages will be in Llandysul or Newcastle Emlyn.

In Newcastle Emlyn, Meddygfa Emlyn has morning and afternoon surgeries from Monday to Friday (8.00am to 6.30pm). They provide a range of specialist clinics and have wheelchair access. 

Newcastle Emlyn also has two dental practices – Teifi Dental Centre at Emlyn Square and Emlyn Dental Care, located on Church Lane, as well as two pharmacies – a Boots Pharmacy and the Bridge Pharmacy.

In Llandysul, there’s Llynyfran Surgery, which has a team of doctors, nurse practitioners and practice nurses, as well as community nurses and a health visitor. This practice also offers home visits. 

Llandysul also has a dental surgery – Cottage Dental Practice – and two pharmacies – Lloyds Pharmacy and Boots Pharmacy.

If you have pets,  Castle House veterinary practice in Newcastle Emlyn is open Monday to Friday from 8.30am until 6.00pm, and on Saturday from 9.00am until 1.00pm. Alternatively, Tysul Vets in Llandysul is open from 8.30am until 6pm Mondays to Fridays, and from 9.00am until 1.00pm on Saturdays.

For any back issues we would highly recommend West Wales Chiropractors in Blaenporth – about 11 or 12 miles from these villages.

Schools

If you move to the area with children of primary school age then a big advantage is that there is a primary school in the village of Saron, where children from Rhos can also go. Ysgol Gynradd Brynsaron is a Category A school, which is bilingual and currently has around 45 pupils.

For secondary education, the closest schools are in Llandysul or Newcastle Emlyn, depending on where you choose to live. Ysgol Bro Teifi is in Llandysul, while Ysgol Gyfun Emlyn is in Newcastle Emlyn – both have wide catchment areas and good reputations.

If your child has severe learning difficulties, you may also be interested to know that there is an excellent school in Aberporth, around half an hour from these villages. Canolfan y Don welcomes pupils up to the age of 11 and we would highly recommend it.

The area also offers a range of further education options, as well as online study providers and apprenticeships. The closest college is in Carmarthen, Coleg Sir Gâr, which provides an excellent choice of both academic and practical courses, while in Cardigan Coleg Ceredigion offers subjects ranging from health and beauty to automotive studies. 

For anyone interested in art and design, Carmarthen School of Art, which was founded in 1854, has courses in everything from fashion design to 3D design and animation.

University education is also available close by at the University of Wales Trinity St David Carmarthen Campus, where around 1500 students study subjects such as Acting, Advocacy, Nursing and Rugby Coaching, giving plenty of choice for you and your children.

Transport

If you choose to live in one of these rural villages then having a car is key if you want to make the most of all of the amenities and activities in the surrounding area. 

There is, however, a regular bus service connecting both Saron and Rhos with Newcastle Emlyn, Carmarthen and Cardigan – the 460 service. In addition, Saron is connected to Llandysul via the 613 service.

You can also check other bus routes and timings on this journey planner.

Find out more…

We’re always happy to discuss your move to West Wales and to help you find your perfect property – whether that’s a new build, a renovation project, a small holding or any other type of property! As a specialist estate agent in West Wales, we know the towns and villages of the region well and can offer expert advice on where is right for you.

Please feel free to get in touch on 01239 562 500.

If you’re keen to find out more about the area you can also have a look at these other websites – 

• Things to Do – Click Here and Here
• Primary schools – Click Here
• Transport – Click Here and Here
• Property management and lettings – Click Here