Cilwen Country House

A peaceful country house bed and breakfast in the Carmarthenshire countryside

Cilwen Country House is a handsome Georgian country house set in its own grounds at Abernant, in the rolling countryside roughly seven miles from the county town of Carmarthen. Run as a relaxed, adults-only bed and breakfast, it offers a genuinely tranquil base for exploring west Wales — far enough from the main roads to feel away from it all, yet within easy reach of the coast, the gardens and the historic towns of Carmarthenshire.

The house and rooms

The house keeps the proportions and character of its Georgian origins, with comfortable guest accommodation and a warm, personal welcome from the owners. Bedrooms include en-suite facilities, and the emphasis throughout is on peace and quiet rather than fuss. For guests who prefer to be fully self-contained, there is also a separate self-catering cottage, Cilwen Fach, within the grounds — a useful option for those who would like a little more independence while still enjoying the same peaceful setting.

Breakfast, grounds and the setting

A proper cooked breakfast sets you up for a day out, and the surrounding grounds give plenty of room to stretch your legs before you set off. The wider setting is classic Carmarthenshire: green, hilly farmland threaded with quiet lanes, with the Taf Valley and the coast not far away. As an adults-only retreat, it particularly suits couples and walkers looking for somewhere calm to unwind.

At a glance

• Georgian country house bed and breakfast
• Adults-only, with a peaceful rural setting
• En-suite guest rooms and a warm personal welcome
• Separate self-catering cottage (Cilwen Fach) also available
• Cooked breakfast and private grounds
• Around seven miles from Carmarthen

Exploring Carmarthen and the county

Carmarthen is one of the oldest towns in Wales, with a lively market, riverside walks along the Towy and plenty of shops and places to eat. Within an easy drive you will find the National Botanic Garden of Wales with its great glasshouse, the restored gardens of Aberglasney, and the coast at Carmarthen Bay — including Dylan Thomas’s beloved Laugharne, with its castle and Boathouse, and the long sands of Pendine. Walkers are well placed for the Towy Valley and the western edge of the Brecon Beacons. To plan the rest of your trip, see our guide to accommodation in Carmarthen.

Walks and days out

Carmarthenshire is sometimes called the Garden of Wales, and this quiet base puts a good deal of it within reach. Keen gardeners can spend a day at the National Botanic Garden of Wales, home to the world’s largest single-span glasshouse, or at the romantic restored gardens of Aberglasney nearby. History lovers will enjoy the dramatic hilltop ruins of Carreg Cennen Castle above the Towy Valley and the Roman gold mines at Dolaucothi. For the coast, the long beaches of Carmarthen Bay are an easy drive, with Dylan Thomas’s Laugharne, the sands at Pendine and the seaside town of Tenby a little further on. Walkers are also well placed for the gentler western hills of the Brecon Beacons (Bannau Brycheiniog).

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is Cilwen Country House? At Abernant, in the countryside around seven miles from Carmarthen.

Is it adults only? Yes — it is run as a peaceful, adults-only retreat.

Are the rooms en-suite? Yes — the guest rooms include en-suite facilities.

Is there a self-catering option? Yes — a separate cottage, Cilwen Fach, is available within the grounds.

What is nearby? Carmarthen town, the National Botanic Garden of Wales, Aberglasney, and the coast at Laugharne and Pendine.

Plan your Carmarthenshire stay

For a quiet, country-house bed and breakfast within reach of west Wales’s gardens, coast and market towns, Cilwen Country House is a lovely choice. Check availability and book your stay using the booking options on this page.