A reporter from Wales Online has declared the Carmarthenshire village of Llansteffan a hidden gem, claiming its beach rivals those of the South of France. Bethany Gavaghan visited the tiny coastal settlement and was struck by its peace and beauty, contrasting it with the crowded Mediterranean beaches she had recently experienced on an interrailing trip.
Gavaghan took a bus from Cardiff to Carmarthen, then a local bus to Llansteffan. She noted the strong sense of community, with passengers greeting each other and sharing jokes with the driver. The village, perched on the Towy Estuary, offers easy access to a beach, a castle, and local amenities including the Old Pound Gallery, a pizza bar, and the Castle Inn pub.
Nearby, the newly refurbished Inn at the Sticks houses a deli, hair salon, and a restaurant recently named the best in Wales. Gavaghan enjoyed an overnight stay there and praised the area's tranquility. She said the water was only a few degrees colder than that of the South of France, and she saw no European beach as peaceful during her travels.
Gavaghan urged Britons to rediscover UK coastal beauty, saying, 'The idea you need to go abroad to experience something amazing if you live in the UK is one that I definitely think we need to shake off now.' She described Llansteffan as 'prettier and more peaceful' than many European destinations.
