A complete cross-section of the Geopark in one community.
Only a part of the Community lies within the Geopark. It is bounded to the north by the Afon Tywi / River Towy. Ffairfach across the Tywi from Llandeilo is the main centre of population. Trap lies in the Cennen valley.
The lie of the land
The Community ranges in height from around 23m in the NW (SN 603215) to 480m at Tair Carn Uchaf (SN 693173). Other notable summits include:
- Tair Carn Isaf (460m) (SN 683167)
- Carregydwfn (283m) (SN 655173)
- Carreg Cennen (260m+) (SN 668191)
The area is drained by the River Towy, the Afon Cennen, the Afon Cib and the upper part of the Afon Llwchwr.
Solid rocks
The Community has arguably the greatest diversity of rocks of any within the Geopark spanning the Ordovician, Silurian, Devonian and Carboniferous periods.
The legacy of the Ice Ages
Glacial till is plastered across some areas. The valley-floors of the Towy and Cennen are formed from alluvium — silt, sand and gravel deposited by these rivers.
Archaeology
Notable archaeological sites include Carreg Cennen Castle (SN 668191), a scatter of cairns, particularly those along the Tair Carn Isaf / Tair Carn Uchaf ridge and pillow mounds, hut circles and enclosures in the same area.
Maps
Geological
Sheets 212 ‘Llandovery’ and 230 ‘Ammanford’ of the British Geological Survey’s 1:50,000 geological map series together provide complete coverage of the bedrock and superficial geology of the Community. Sheet 212 is accompanied by a ‘sheet explanation’ published in summer 2009. Sheet 230 is available in two editions.
General
The following Ordnance Survey maps cover the Community:
- Landranger sheets 159 ‘Swansea & Gower’, 160 ‘Brecon Beacons’(1:50,000 scale)
- Explorer sheets 178 ‘Llanelli & Ammanford’, 186 ‘Llandeilo & Brechfa Forest’, OL12 ‘Brecon Beacons National Park/Western area’ (1:25,000 scale)
Public transport
The A483 Ammanford-Llandeilo road runs through the Community as does the Heart of Wales Railway line with stations at Ffairfach, Llandeilo and Llandybie.
See Traveline Cymru for bus and train services including stops, timetables and route-planning information.