Set between the historic towns of Newcastle Emlyn and Llandysul, and just over 15 miles from Carmarthen and Cardigan, the rural West Wales villages of Drefach Felindre, Waungilwen, Cwmpengraig and Cwmhiraeth are increasingly popular with house hunters.

Offering the peace of the countryside, together with a rich history entwined with the Welsh wool industry, and easy access to the beautiful coastline around Cardigan Bay, this part of West Wales offers a choice of homes and smallholdings.

If you’d like to discuss your move to West Wales, we’re here to help. We’ve lived here all of our lives and are happy to offer advice and insight into where and what to buy for your individual requirements – please get in touch. You can also read more about the other towns and villages of West Wales in our location guides.

History

These 19th century villages and hamlets were at the forefront of the woollen and textile industry in Wales. At the peak of the area’s success, in the mid 1920s, there were over 50 mills producing the flannel that was used to clothe miners and steelworkers. Cloth from here was also used to make the uniforms of soldiers fighting in the First World War.

You can still see many of the mills that housed the looms, and if you’re interested in the history you can visit the National Wool Museum, housed in the former Cambrian Mills in Felindre.

Tourism & Recreation

Surrounded by the rolling hills of West Wales, the villages of Drefach Felindre, Waungilwen, Cwmpengraig and Cwmhiraeth offer peace and quiet, alongside easy access to a wide range of sports and activities.

Walking and cycling are both popular here, with plenty of tracks and trails to explore and a range of easy or challenging terrain. In addition, the famed Ceredigion Coastal Path, which runs 60 miles around the Cardigan Bay coast, is also easily accessible from the villages. 

Fishing is another popular pastime here, either on the famed River Teifi where you can join the Llandysul Angling Association – or in the clean waters of Cardigan Bay, which is home to fish such as cod, bass, mackerel and turbot. 

For beach lovers and watersports enthusiasts there are some of the UK’s finest beaches around 30 minutes away at Cardigan Bay. Head to Aberporth Beach where you’ll find two lovely, sandy beaches with rock pools, making it very popular with families. Alternatively, Penbryn Beach, owned by the National Trust, has almost one mile of sand to enjoy. 

Popular water sports in the area include surfing, with some of the best surf spots to be found within a 30-40 minute drive of these villages. Live here and you can head for a quick surf after work! You can also try water skiing, wakeboarding, windsurfing, kitesurfing and sailing.

Wherever you go on the coast, remember to look out for the seals and dolphins that live in these beautiful waters, and some of the incredible birdlife.

With the National Wool Museum located just outside Drefach Felindre, Newcastle Emlyn Castle, and the Teifi Valley Railway, a narrow gauge railway with a steam engine, there is also a range of tourist attractions close by, not to mention, the famed Carmarthen Castle and Cardigan Castle.

Finally, if you or your children want access to a swimming pool, an athletics track or squash courts, you’ll find all of these at Newcastle Emlyn’s leisure centre, 

Shopping

There are a few local stores in the area, but for the main grocery shopping, residents here will go to Newcastle Emlyn, Llandysul, Carmarthen or Cardigan.

In Drefach Felindre there’s a Post Office and convenience store, where you can buy a range of food and household items. There’s also a fantastic furniture store if you’re in need of any items for your new home – Davies & Davies Furniture Centre. 

A couple of miles north – at The Leeky Barrel Welsh Bistro & Shop – you can buy some of the delicious Celteg country wines and meads that have a growing following!

In Newcastle Emlyn you’ll find a Co-op Food store, a Post Office, as well as a good choice of independent shops such as the Soap Shack and the famed Cardigan Bay Brownies, as well as butchers, florists, health food shops and more.

In Llandysul, about five to six miles away from these villages, there’s a Spar and a CK Foodstore, as well as independent shops such as a butcher and a shop selling outdoor gear such as canoes and clothing.

For banks, larger supermarkets and a much wider choice of shops, head to Cardigan or Carmarthen, both about half an hour away.

Eating & Drinking

Despite the rural environment, you’re never far from some fabulous food and drink in West Wales! 

Look out for the incredible Veganishmum, a pop up restaurant that serves a great range of dishes such as curries and sticky toffee pudding. Keep an eye on their Facebook page to find out about upcoming events.

In Drefach Felindre there’s the lovely pub Tafarn John Y Gwas, which serves a choice of beers, alongside good fresh food. There’s also The Red Lion, a 19th century pub that offers home cooked food and a friendly atmosphere.

Around two miles north of these villages, close to the Teifi Valley Railway, is the popular Leaky Barrel Welsh Bistro & Shop. Here you can enjoy lunch, desserts, teas and coffees, as well as alcoholic drinks. 

About 10 minutes’ drive from these villages you’ll also find the Daffodil Inn at Penrhiwllan. Listed in the Michelin Guides, this country pub and restaurant also has accommodation – shepherds huts with hot tubs! – if you are coming to the area to house hunt.

You can also try the Lamb of Rhos, which serves breakfast, lunch and dinner, with dishes ranging from steaks to curry and burgers and gets good reviews.

For more choice of restaurants, cafes and takeaways it’s just a short drive into Newcastle Emlyn. For coffee or tea and a catch up with friends, try The Travelling Teapot or Y Cwtch Coffi – both on Sycamore Street. You should also try Harrison’s Brasserie, set next to the River Teifi and offering a lovely garden, while for an easy meal head to Flames Kebab Shop or the Moonlight Indian Restaurant for a takeaway.

Healthcare

When you move to a new area one of the first things to do is to register with a new doctor and dentist. For residents of Drefach Felindre, Waungilwen, Cwmpengraig and Cwmhiraeth, the closest medical services are in Newcastle Emlyn.

For a GP, the Meddygfa Emlyn is open from Monday to Friday (8am to 6.30pm) and it offers both morning and afternoon surgeries. If you have specific health requirements then it also provides a range of specialist clinics, such as ante-natal and asthma, as well as a travel clinic.

There are also two dental practices in Newcastle Emlyn – Teifi Dental Centre at Emlyn Square and Emlyn Dental Care, located on Church Lane. In addition, the town has two pharmacies – a Boots Pharmacy and the Bridge Pharmacy.

For residents here who have pets, the Castle House veterinary practice in Newcastle Emlyn is open Monday to Friday from 8.30am to 5.30pm, and on Saturday from 9am to 1pm.

We would also recommend chiropractor West Wales Chiropractors in Blaenporth – about 11 or 12 miles from these villages – should you have back problems.

Schools

In Drefach Felindre there is Penboyr Primary School, a Church of Wales Primary School which has a good reputation.

If your child has severe learning difficulties, then there is also an excellent school in Aberporth, around nine to ten miles from these villages, for children up to the age of 11 – Canolfan y Don.

Secondary education takes place in Newcastle Emlyn at the Ysgol Gyfun Emlyn.

For older teens and adults, there is also a choice of further education, online study and apprenticeships available at Coleg Ceredigion in Cardigan or Coleg Sir Gâr in Carmarthen. Both of these colleges offer an extensive range of academic and practical courses for school leavers and anyone who wants to return to education. There is also Carmarthen School of Art, founded in 1854 and offering courses in everything from fashion design to 3D design and animation.

Alternatively, the University of Wales Trinity St David has a 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

There is a wide range of activities and amenities in this part of West Wales, but to access many of them residents here rely on a car. There is no train service in the area, but there are various local bus companies that provide transport links between the rural villages and the larger towns – for example, this bus route connects Cardigan and Carmarthen, via Felindre. You can check bus routes and timings on this journey planner.

Find out more

If you’d like to find out more about life in Drefach Felindre, Waungilwen, Cwmpengraig & Cwmhiraeth and to be first to hear about new properties for sale here, please contact us.

You can call us on 01239 562 500 to discuss your property search or email us via our Contact Us page.

You can also find out more about the villages of rural West Wales and Cardigan Bay on 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