Discover Glandwr

Glandwr Sign, Glandwr, Whitland, Carmarthenshire

The small, rural community of Glandwr in Pembrokeshire is set less than four miles to the south of Crymych, surrounded by beautiful countryside while offering easy access to the stunning Welsh coast.

With the Preseli Mountains just a short drive away, there are plenty of opportunities for walking, cycling and horse riding, while the amenities of the larger towns of Cardigan (12 miles), Carmarthen (18 miles) and Haverfordwest (22 miles) are all easily accessible. 

Please get in touch with us if you’d like to discuss your property search and find out more about the latest homes for sale in Pembrokeshire. You can also read about the other towns and villages of West Wales and Cardigan Bay in our Location Guides.

History

Chapel, Glandwr, Whitland, Carmarthenshire
Glandwr Chapel, Whitland, Carmarthenshire 

Set on the River Gafel, this part of West Wales is rich in history, with the Preseli Mountains home to remains such as Iron Age hill forts, Bronze Age stone ramparts and ancient standing stones.

The village of Glandwr (previously known as Glan-dwr) has had a chapel since 1712, and while it has been rebuilt several times the current chapel is Grade II listed.

Reflecting the prominence of this area as a key part of the Welsh woollen industry, Glandwr also had a woollen mill as early as 1650, with the local sheep providing the wool that made the industry flourish.

Tourism & Recreation

Preseli Mountains, Pembrokeshire
Preseli Mountains, Pembrokeshire

One of the main attractions of this area is its close proximity to the famed Preseli Mountains, which are renowned for their history, scenery and choice of walking and mountain biking trails. There’s something for all fitness levels here, but on a clear day choose one of the more challenging routes and climb Foel Eryr for stunning views of Snowdonia and even across the sea to Ireland.

While you walk you can also view ancient history, making it one of the most exceptional walking experiences in the UK. You’ll pass through prehistoric landscapes and have the chance to see Iron Age and Bronze Age remains.

Road cyclists too will love the quiet roads that stretch across this beautiful part of West Wales, giving the chance to discover both the rolling countryside and the craggy coastline, while equestrians will find a good choice of riding stables and yards, including Preseli Pony Trekking and Hafod Farm Stables.

If beaches are more your thing, then the coastline here is fabulous to explore, home to some of the most beautiful beaches in the UK. One of the closest beaches to Glandwr is Newport North Beach – a five mile sandy beach backed by sand dunes and popular with families. Other beaches nearby include Parrog, The Cwm, Aber Rhigian, Aber Forest and Cwm-yr-Eglwys, all of which offer something very special on the Pembrokeshire coast.

Newport Parrog Beach, Newport, Pembrokeshire
Newport Beach, Pembrokeshire 

With such a spectacular coastline, both Pembrokeshire and Cardigan Bay have become hugely popular for water sports, with many residents making the most of the clean seas at the weekends and even after work. Surfing is perhaps the most popular sport here and you can book lessons to help you get started. Other water sports available include kitesurfing, windsurfing, water skiing, sailing and kayaking, so take your pick!

A short drive north of Glandwr you can visit the Lammas Eco Village, which is a collective of smallholdings and eco-dwellings. Traditional farming and building techniques are used here, along with the latest innovations in environmental technology. You can take a guided tour, or book one of their courses or volunteer experiences to find out more.

Another tourist attraction is Castell Henllys Iron Age Village – the only Iron Age village in the UK – located just north of Crymych. This fascinating village gives an insight into life in Wales 2,000 years ago and offers Roman re-enactments and hands-on workshops.

At Crymych you can also find a number of sporting and leisure activities. There’s Crymych Rugby Club for rugby fans, while Crymych Leisure Centre offers a wide programme of sporting activities including swimming lessons, a sports hall where you can book courts, and a fitness suite.

Finally, if you enjoy singing, Crymych has its own choir, which performs at various festivals and events.

Shopping

While Glandwr doesn’t have any grocery shops, it’s just a short drive to Crymych which has a Spar and a Nisa Local. Alternatively, there is a convenience store in Glandy Cross, less than four miles away from Glandwr.

WPS Upholstery, Village square, Glandwr, Whitland, Carmarthenshire
WPS Upholstery, Village square, Glandwr, Whitland, Carmarthenshire

Glandwr does have some other specialist shops, which are great to discover. WPS Upholstery provides a range of services if you’re looking to update furniture for your new home, while In the Blink of an Eye is a stained glass studio. There’s also Huckleberry Bakes for sweet treats and incredible cakes if you have a special occasion.

Just a few minutes south of Glandwr you’ll find C&M Organics, a family run organic fruit and vegetable business that also has a fantastic farm shop where you can buy whole foods, meats, bakery items and, of course, their fruit and veg.

Crymych too has some lovely specialist shops, including Ty Bach Twt and Siop Sian for gifts and home items, while Bwyd y Byd sells a range of health foods.

For larger supermarkets Cardigan has a Tesco, an Aldi and a larger Spar, in addition to a good range of both high street names and independent shops such as butchers, bakers and hairdressers. You should also visit the Guildhall Market – a Grade II listed heritage building, which is home to over 20 different stalls selling all sorts of items.

Cardigan also has a selection of high street banks – Lloyds, Barclays and HSBC.

Eating & Drinking

Cafe and High Street, Crymych, Pembrokeshire
Cafe and High Street, Crymych, Pembrokeshire

Nearby Crymych has a choice of options if you enjoy eating out. In the centre of the village there’s Blasus – a coffee shop that serves delicious coffees, teas and milkshakes, as well as food, including daily specials.

Also worth trying is the Crymych Arms, a traditional pub which serves a range of home made dishes, while for a takeaway head to Y Badell Ffrio for fish and chips; Crymych Kebab House for both kebabs and pizzas; or the Dragon Inn for Chinese food.

At Fairfield, just outside Crymych you mustn’t miss Mary’s Farmhouse, which makes delicious ice cream that is sold throughout Wales.

In the wider area, The Nag’s Head at Abercych is a gastro pub with accommodation and a good reputation. The menu here includes dishes such as Welsh beef nachos or a chargrilled tuna caesar salad.

Alternatively, the award winning Jabajak Vineyard Restaurant with Rooms offers wonderful wines and food – menus change each month and you can enjoy daily specials, with dishes such as pan fried scallops, Welsh lamb and fresh hake, perfectly cooked using many ingredients grown in their kitchen garden. Definitely one not to miss!

Healthcare

Village square, Glandwr, Whitland, Carmarthenshire
Village Square, Glandwr, Whitland, Carmarthenshire

If you’re looking for a house for sale in Pembrokeshire, then the closest GP’s surgery to Glandwr is in Crymych, which has its own medical centre. The doctors here work at both Crymych and Newport, with the Crymych surgery open Monday to Friday from 8.00am to 5.30pm. The medical centre provides a range of clinics, and you can choose from face to face or telephone consultations.

Crymych also has a pharmacy – E P Parry Pharmacy, which you can find on Main Street. It’s open Monday to Friday, with various opening times, as well as Saturday morning. There is also an optician – Celia Vlismas – in the village.

To register with a dentist, you’ll find the closest dentists in Cardigan at the Cardigan Dental Practice and in Newport (14 miles away) – Pembrokeshire Dental Care.

If you’re moving to the area with pets then Crymych also has Priory Vets, which has a good reputation.

Schools

School Sign, West Wales
School Sign, West Wales

Crymych is the main educational centre for the villages around here and offers a modern, combined primary and secondary school, which prides itself on its high standards. Ysgol Bro Preseli also offers a good range of extra curricular activities, including music, theatre and sports such as rugby, football and athletics.

If your child is looking for further education options then consider Coleg Ceredigion in Cardigan. No matter whether they’re interested in finance or construction, creative media or ICT, this college offers a wide range of full time, part time and online courses, as well as apprenticeships.

Similarly, Coleg Sir Gâr  in Carmarthen offers an extensive choice of courses, including apprenticeships, full time, part time and online courses, as well as Carmarthen School of Art.

Alternatively, in Haverfordwest there’s Pembrokeshire College, which offers further education for over 16s and adults. The college offers A-levels, apprenticeships, degrees and part-time evening classes, with courses ranging from business studies and personal training to physics and hairdressing.

For parents moving to the area with a child who has educational needs, including severe learning difficulties or autism, we would highly recommend Canolfan y Don at Aberporth School, just over half an hour away. The school welcomes pupils up to the age of 11 and has a specialist team and facilities.

Transport

Village square, Glandwr, Whitland, Carmarthenshire
Village Square, Glandwr, Whitland, Carmarthenshire

This rural corner of Pembrokeshire is beautiful, and while there are some bus services you will need a car to access all of the amenities in the surrounding towns and villages.

The 223 bus service connects Glandwr with Carmarthen and many of the other villages on its journey, but there are only a limited number of services each day. Crymych also has bus services connecting it to Cardigan – you can read more about other services here.

The closest train station is at Haverfordwest, which has services to various destinations, including Swansea, Manchester and Milford Haven.

Find out more

Glandwr, Whitland, Carmarthenshire
Glandwr, Whitland, Carmarthenshire

If you’d like to discuss your property search in Glandwr or the surrounding areas we’re here to help. We’re award winning, specialist estate agents in Pembrokeshire and Ceredigion, and you can call us on 01239 562 500 or get in touch through our website. To help you plan your move further you can also take a look at these other websites –