St Clears sits at the meeting point of the River Taf and the River Cynin in West Wales. This small town grew around a Norman motte and bailey castle that still overlooks the water. It holds a significant place in history as a centre for the Rebecca Riots during the nineteenth century. My top tip is to visit the twelfth-century St Mary’s Church to see its fine stone carvings. You can walk the riverside paths to spot kingfishers and otters for free. The local landscape is a mix of rich pastures and quiet tidal mudflats. St Clears remains a busy hub for the farming community with a long tradition of livestock trading. Life here follows the gentle pace of the river.