The unique town that’s home to a famous Wizard’s tree, castles, birds of prey and a ‘charming’ vintage railway
A SMALL town in the UK is rumoured to be the home of a legendary wizard and still has signs of him being there hundreds of years later.
Stories of Merlin the wizard are well known in the UK, but few people are aware of where he is said to have come from.
According to Arthurian Lore, the mystical mage is said to have been born in the village of Carmarthen in west Wales.
In fact, the town's Welsh name, Caerfyrddin, is widely claimed to mean "Merlin's fort" strengthening the link between the wizard and the town.
For hundreds of years an oak tree stood on the corner of Oak Lane and Priory Street in the town, with some linking its origins back to Merlin.
Some people even suggested that a notch in the oak tree was a manifestation of the wizard’s face.
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Local tradition states that if Merlin’s Oak should fall, then the town would also suffer a terrible fate.
The wizard himself is even said to have predicted that the town would "drown" if his tree was toppled.
Luckily for the people of Carmarthen, the prediction proved to be inaccurate.
The tree was first poisoned by a local man in the 1800s, after he objected to people holding meetings beneath it.
Its decaying trunk was then protected with iron railings and concrete to try and prevent further damage, however someone set fire to it in 1978 when it was removed from the town.
A chunk of the tree can still be seen in the Carmarthenshire County Museum, while the final fragment taken in 1978 is now in Saint Peter’s Civic Hall in Nott Square, Carmarthen.
A replacement tree can be seen growing in a planter at the original site of the oak to this day.
The tree is far from the only thing worth visiting in the town, with two castles nearby also proving a big draw.
The well preserved 12th century Carmarthen Castle overlook the River Twyi, with Visit Wales claiming "the remains of this castle are fascinating. The sheer solidity brings history to life."
A short drive from Carmarthen will take people to UNESCO world heritage site, Laugharne Castle, which used to be home to poet Dylan Thomas.
Two giant medieval stone towers are seen standing over the remains of a Tudor mansion, all set in withing an ornamental garden.
Another garden in the area is home to some unusual inhabitants, with the British Bird of Prey centre housed within the National Botanic Garden of Wales.
The centre focuses its efforts on conservation projects, "designed to support our native birds of prey".
Visitors can get up close with the stunning raptors, while also learning about the work the centre does to conserve the species.
Special experience days and photography sessions can be booked with them too.
Another special experience that can be enjoyed in Carmarthen is the Gwili railway, described as a "charming heritage railway running through a beautiful valley".
The line will be reopening later this month and offering scenic rides in vintage steam trains through south west Wales.
Passengers can either choose to travel in a 1950s-style compartment of their own, with a large picture window or in open seating in larger carriages.
Special cream tea services run every Thursday for those who want to enjoy a more unique journey along the vintage track.
Standard tickets start from £17 for adults.
It's not the only vintage railway for people to enjoy in the UK however.
Norfolk
The North Norfolk Poppy Line runs from Sheringham to Holt and is operated almost exclusively by volunteers.
The steam train service has been running since 1887, apart from a short time between 1964 and 1975 when it was closed.
Now it is much loved by locals and rail enthusiasts looking for a real nostalgic train experience.
It was recently listed in the 11 most scenic train journeys in the UK put together by Time Out, who praised both the train and the scenery it passed through.
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Meanwhile, this is one of the best overnight train journeys in the world.
And this scenic train route is in the UK and costs just £23.
Best staycation locations for 2024
1. Bristol
The arty harbour city was the top spot on the list and is bursting with culture and trendy cafes scattered along the River Avon.
A bubbling hub for creatives, Bristol is the birthplace of street artist Banksy, and you can admire some of his best early works on a free walking tour.
2. Hull
The Humberside port city started to get recognition last year, and it has a thriving nightlife scene - if that's something you're after.
The old town is crawling with history and classy buildings, whose walls have many stories to tell and The Deep is a fascinating aquarium attraction.
3. Isles of Scilly
Just off the Cornish coast, it's easy to see why the archipelago made it into the top three.
Here, you can expect golden sandy beaches where you will be able to spot dolphins beyond the shoreline, as well as seafront pubs serving up hearty grub.
