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Idyllic UK town has one of most recognisable streets and one huge problem | UK | Travel

The houses in the town are an integral part of the town’s appeal, blending history, colour and architectural variety — they contribute to the overall charm and create a welcoming and visually captivating environment for residents and visitors alike (Image: John Myers)

Jonathan Edwards was taken aback when he moved into his new home three years ago and was asked to pledge not to sell alcohol on the premises.

His home is situated on one of Wales’ most picturesque streets. The charming, vibrant Bridge Street, located near Llandeilo’s old stone bridge over the River Towy, boasts buildings dating back to the 1780s.

While some of them were indeed once commercial, they are now primarily residential properties or AirBnBs and provide one of the most attractive welcomes to any town anywhere in Britain as you approach over the bridge and see the colours bend up the steep road ahead of you.  

But while people who live in the town have a real fondness for the area’s independent businesses, unique character, vibrant hues and community spirit, they also highlighted challenges such as heavy goods vehicles using the street as a shortcut and concerns about local residents being outpriced by holiday rentals.

Despite these issues, there’s plenty to adore about this town. It’s a hit with tourists and locals alike due to its laid-back lifestyle and stunning views of Carmarthenshire, reports WalesOnline.

Homes and businesses in Llandeilo

Llandeilo is full of unique and independent businesses (Image: John Myers)

« [The street] was built around the 1780s and by the 1800s there were about 20 or 30 pubs in Llandeilo — this was The Half Moon, » revealed Bridge Street resident Mr Edwards, who has called Llandeilo home for nearly two decades after relocating from Ammanford to be closer to his wife’s family. He takes pride in residing in « one of the most iconic » houses in the vicinity and views Llandeilo as « quite cosmopolitan, » despite its modest size and population.

« There’s always something going on here, there’s nice shops and nice amenities and businesses are all independent, » he observed. Reflecting on the town’s resilience, he added: « We have seen a few pubs closing, but I think if any town is going to bounce back [after the pandemic and cost-of-living crisis] it’s Llandeilo. It has that certain quality that’s needed for a town to bounce back. »

Jayne Rees in her traditional toy shop in Llandeilo

Jayne Rees moved Eve’s Toy Shop from the famous village of Mumbles to Llandeilo 15 years ago as she loved how the Llandeilo community supported independent businesses (Image: John Myers)

Inside Eve's Toy Shop on King Street

Inside Eve’s Toy Shop on King Street (Image: John Myers)

In recent years, Mr Edwards has witnessed a surge in local tourism, with families from across Wales and England opting for a « staycation » in Llandeilo rather than travelling abroad. While some visitors have expressed a desire for more pubs and restaurants, locals believe there’s already a wealth of activities and sights to enjoy for now.

« Most people here live here full-time, but we have seen some houses move into the AirBnB-type area of business and that’s pricing out couples and families who want to buy in the town, » he explained.

« If families are taken out of the town then people become more transient and it affects the schools but currently they’re all very good schools. But people need somewhere to stay, it’s about having that balance, perhaps we’ve tipped too much into that one side.

« It’s important for Llandeilo to retain its USP [unique selling point]. It’s got a lot of independent shops, clothes shops, galleries, antiques shops we need to keep the unique selling points of Llandeilo. And there’s a strong community spirit, even though it’s quite cosmopolitan, we have an arts festival, a literary festival and we have strong Welsh heritage here, and people put flags up and deck themselves up for special occasions. »

A dog walker enjoys a casual stroll past the colourful houses on Bridge Street

A dog walker enjoys a casual stroll past the colourful houses on Bridge Street (Image: John Myers)

He also highlighted the vibrant local activities: « There’s also a lot to do, we’ve got a cricket club, rugby club, football, boxing and there’s a lot of people working hard to keep things going. We’ve got very active town councillors and people who want to keep Llandeilo as the heart of the community. »

When asked about his vision for the town’s future, Mr Edwards pointed to the long-awaited Llandeilo bypass as a key development. The project, which has been in discussion among locals, councillors, and the Welsh Government for around 40 years, received approval in 2017.

The Welsh Labour ministers had initially agreed to the bypass as part of a deal with Plaid Cymru to pass the 2017-18 budget. The construction was set to commence in 2019, but it was subsequently postponed to 2022 and then further delayed to 2025.

Understandably, the residents are exasperated by the continuous postponements.

The town of Llandeilo in Carmarthenshire

Llandeilo is surrounded by the rolling green hills of Carmarthenshire (Image: Getty)

Mayor of Llandeilo, Christoph Fischer

Mayor of Llandeilo, Christoph Fischer (Image: John Myers)

Mr Edwards voiced his frustration, stating: « We really need the bypass. If you want to develop the town and you have lorries and trucks travelling through all the time and the pavements are quite close to the trucks, it’s not the widest of roads it’s not going to work. And the air pollution and everything that goes with it [is made worse by the traffic].

« It’s a real bone of contention, there’s been so many consultations over the last 30/40 years, you get so far and then everything stops. It’s all stamped and waiting for the ‘final stage,’ the final government approval then there’s yet another consultation. It’s meant to be built in 2025 now. »

The LLL Men's Shed has unveiled a new bench for the community

The LLL Men’s Shed has unveiled a new bench for the community (Image: John Myers)

Elizabeth Dwerry House, a fellow resident of Bridge Street who has lived in her home for six decades, echoed Mr Edwards’ sentiments. She reminisced about the time when her property was a tailor’s shop before she and her parents moved in.

« In those days, there wasn’t so much traffic here, you could cross the road easily, » Ms Dwerry House recalled. « Now you could have to wait 10 minutes to cross the road — we need the bypass. »

Anne Richards in her Llandeilo gift shop

Anne Richards hand-stitches and crafts many of the items sold in her gift shop (Image: John Myers)

Noticing since the 1970s an uptick in vehicles, one resident lamented the unceasing rise of traffic through their town, urging: « I would like to see the bypass — they [Welsh Government] have promised it. My mother used to say ‘I won’t see it in my day’. Unfortunately I don’t know whether I will either. »

Another Bridge Street resident, who has ties with the film and television industry and preferred anonymity, professed his love for everything about Llandeilo except its traffic woes. « I’ve lived here for 40 years, it’s a very special place, » he shared.

Llandeilo

Llandeilo is surrounded by Welsh farmland (Image: John Myers)

Highlighting the severity, he warned: « Traffic is the major issue — the bridge is unique and someone is going to get killed here, or the bridge is going to collapse, if it stays like this. And it can take twice as long to drive into town than to walk. »

During a visit to the bustling Llandeilo, the evidence was clear: large trucks and lorries barreled down Bridge Street and Rhosmaen Street, the main shopping artery, carrying goods throughout Wales. Despite being narrow and running through the heart of this small town, this is actually one of Wales’ major arterial roads.

Residents voice their exhaustion with HGVs squeezing through, but equally express concerns over cars and vans that zip past, seemingly oblivious to the presence of local families.

Rhosmaen Street, the main shopping street in Llandeilo

Rhosmaen Street, the main shopping street in Llandeilo (Image: John Myers)

« It can be a bit scary, you see mums with buggies and little ones pinned up against a wall when a lorry comes past – one lorry clipped someone’s arm the other week, » expressed Jayne Rees, proprietor of Eve’s Toy Shop in King Street. Having moved her venture from Mumbles to Llandeilo 15 years prior, enamoured by the town’s embrace of independent traders, Jayne, who named her shop after her youngest child, is concerned about traffic hazards even as her business thrives, becoming a beloved local family gathering spot.

« I sell high quality children’s toys, » Jayne said. « I won’t sell rubbish that’s going to break! We do lots of things for the children here, free events throughout the year like parties, Lego days, princess parties, Alice in Wonderland parties, Father Christmas. We have a lot of regular customers and we have a Birthday Club which is really popular. »

Jayne added: « Llandeilo is a lovely place, you rarely get a stroppy customer, there’s lots of TV and Welsh celebrities living locally. »

Charlotte Morgan moved to Llandeilo from Suffolk a few years back and immediately fell in love with the town

Charlotte Morgan moved to Llandeilo from Suffolk a few years back and immediately fell in love with the town (Image: John Myers)

When qasked what would improve the town, Jayne quickly mentioned enhanced transport options: « I’d love to catch the train to work but the times are all wrong for working people. We need a better train route and a better bus route, currently there’s only a bus every two hours, » she said.

« Sometimes people come here on the bus and then they’re stuck here for hours waiting for the bus back. »

Bridge Street may grapple with traffic influx, yet residents are rewarded with splendid views of Carmarthenshire and the River Towy. Another local of Bridge Street conveyed his contentment about life in Llandeilo, citing abundant activities: « I like being able to swim in the river and there’s lots of walks nearby, » he shared.

He continued: « I’d like to see the bypass but we’ve been waiting 40 years for that. And a few years ago Sainsbury’s was stopped from opening in the town. It was so disappointing, it would have meant lots of jobs for local people and cheaper food. But I’m looking forward to the new bike route from Llandeilo to Carmarthen, on the old railway line. »

Deputy mayor Charlotte Morgan, who traded Suffolk’s charms for those of Llandeilo, reminisced on her decision to move, captivated by the picturesque vibrant houses and tight-knit community. A decade since making Bridge Street her home, Charlotte remains smitten with the locale’s people and its sense of unity.

Some of the roads in Llandeilo are quite narrow

One of Llandeilo’s unique shopping streets (Image: John Myers)

« It’s a wonderful community and people really make the difference here, » she enthused. « And being deputy mayor is so much more interesting than I ever thought it would be! Llandeilo is a wonderful place, a wonderful community of wonderful people. Everything is here but there is always something to be improved. [We need] to support the right people and give everyone an equal platform to be heard. »

Anne Richards, proprietor of the quaint independent gift shop Igam Ogam, weighed in on local commerce: « I think we need confidence back in the high street, » she said.

« Llandeilo is a destination town, with lots of coffee shops and restaurants. I’ve been here 20 years and this year has been my worst year — people are worried about the cost-of-living crisis, they see it on the news on the tv and panic. The grandparents’ generation are really thinking of their spending. »

A tractor driving up the town's shopping street

Despite its beauty, Llandeilo has to deal with heavy vehicles using its narrow roads (Image: John Myers)

Ms Richards also highlighted the impact of bank closures on her business: « There’s only one bank left in town and they’re not open on a Wednesday — as soon as that started my sales plummeted on a Wednesday. »

Despite some businesses being shuttered during our Monday visit, Llandeilo still boasted an array of clothing boutiques, art galleries and other unique shops, including a stellar co-operative showcasing crafts and homemade gifts from the area’s skilled local artists and tradespeople.

Llandeilo

Llandeilo is a beautiful place to walk around and spend a few hours (Image: John Myers)

On our visit, we encountered members of the Llangadog, Llandeilo and Llandovery Men’s Shed, affectionately known as the LLL Men’s Shed.

This group offers a haven for local men to engage in crafting, repairing, honing skills, forging friendships, and enjoying a warm cuppa.

Llandeilo overlooks a bridge and gorgeous Carmarthenshire countryside

The pretty town boasts beautiful views of the River Towy and gorgeous Carmarthenshire countryside (Image: John Myers)

The gentlemen from the LLL Men’s Shed have recently crafted a bench for the community, now proudly positioned on a grassy area along King Street. Witnessing their dedication and listening to the joy they experienced while constructing the bench and participating in the group was truly heartwarming.

This bench is one of three that the group has been diligently working on, with financial support from the Welsh Government, West Wales Care Services, and CAVS (Carmarthenshire Association Voluntary Services) as part of the ‘Connect Kindness’ transformation initiative.

A bench made for the Llandeilo community

A bench made for the Llandeilo community (Image: John Myers)

A lorry hurtles through Bridge Street in Llandeilo

Residents are desperate for the Llandeilo Bypass as it would see the end of lorries and trucks using Llandeilo as a shortcut to mid and north Wales (Image: John Myers)

The LLL Men’s Shed website provides an insight into the essence of the group and the purpose of the Shed: « The Shed is a larger, community-scale version of the typical man’s shed in the garden. It is a place for making and mending, a place where the person feels comfortable enough to pursue practical interests with like-minded people. A place that is safe and friendly, where skills can be shared. The aim of this Llangadog, Llandeilo and Llandovery Men’s Shed is to provide a place where people from the community can come together to work on projects and be in good company. »

The Mayor of Llandeilo, Christoph Fischer, has lauded the Men’s Shed initiative for uniting community members with shared interests. Mr Fischer, who relocated to Llandeilo seeking tranquillity, quickly grew fond of the town and aspired to play a more active role.

Towy Valley

The view from the stone bridge down the Towy River (Image: John Myers)

« I’ve been mayor for a month, it’s been fantastic, » he said. « I’m trying to break the mould in my mayorship, I’m trying to reach out to people who haven’t felt included.

« I moved here eight years ago, from Bath, to be nearer my husband’s family. I started getting involved in the community with the Book Fair, then I organised the Literary Festival, then I stood for council and then I became the mayor! I came for a quiet life but Llandeilo has a fantastic community! « .

A lorry drives through Llandeilo and over Llandeilo Bridge

A lorry drives through Llandeilo and over Llandeilo Bridge (Image: John Myers)

In addition to the Men’s Shed, Llandeilo boasts an array of community events and activities year-round, such as a Literary Festival and a Music Festival. Nearby Dinefwr Country Park offers visitors the chance to wander through vast parklands, discover a mansion and castle, and spot wild deer.

The town also hosts various wellness groups, including pilates and prescribed-exercise classes, youth groups, and a dementia-friendly choir managed by the Welsh National Opera. The ‘Cradle Choir’ caters to individuals with dementia and their caregivers or supporters and we had the opportunity to witness this inspiring group in full swing.

A lorry narrowly avoids pedestrians in the town

A lorry narrowly avoids pedestrians in the town (Image: John Myers)

The weekly choir rehearsal has blossomed into a secure and « happy space » for members, who often experience isolation throughout the week. The ensemble thoroughly enjoys singing in unison, immersing themselves in the camaraderie of their choir circle, and are eagerly anticipating their forthcoming concert set for Monday, July 17, at Newton House, Dinefwr.

Llandeilo is a wonderful community blending rural life with boutique cosmopolitan shops and places to eat. But locals and visitors alike just wish they didn’t have to dodge lorries and tractors while they enjoyed it. 


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