Millennium Coastal Path

A superb mostly flat, well surfaced and easily accessible coastal traffic free route that follows the stunning Carmarthenshire coast, along the route of the Wales Coast Path for a distance of approximately 13miles approx. from Bynea in the East to Pembrey Country Park in the West.

There is so much to see and do along the way, with wildlife, places of interest, viewpoints and refreshment stops, so why not take your time and enjoy the experience to the full.

For families especially, but also those who prefer a more gentle pace, the route has been divided into four short self-contained sections. You can start at either end or combine sections.

Highlights: The wildlife and the views!

Start: Bynea or Pembrey Country Park

Total Length: 22km or 17 miles

Difficulty Rating: ungraded but would be green easy if graded

Estimated time: 2 hours each way

 

Parking: Bynea, The Gateway Resort, North Dock, Festival Fields, Burry Port Harbour and Pembrey Country Park.

Cycle hire: Krankz, Burry Port and at Pembrey Country Park Ski Centre.

Refreshments / toilets: The Gateway Resort, Llanelli Wetlands Centre, Machynys Golf Club, St. Elli's Bay at North Dock, Pwll Pavilion Café, Harbour Light Tearoom at Burry Port Harbour, Pembrey Country Park. 

Trains: If you want to cycle the whole route in one direction only, there are train stations at Pembrey & Burry Port, Llanelli and Bynea.

Bus Services: 110/111 Bynea to Llanelli (Mon-Sat)
X11 Bynea to Kidwelly (Mon-Sat)
X12, 195 and 196 run between Llanelli and Carmarthen

Loughor Bridge to the Wetlands Centre, Penclacwydd (4 mile return trip)

The route follows the estuary edge from the eastern end at the Blue and White Pont y Bacas bridge over the road and railway at Bynea to the Wetlands Centre at Penclacwydd. As you descend to the boardwalk you can see Brunel’s railway viaduct over the river Loughor and as you travel alongside Morfa Bacas look out for the wildlife on the estuary sandbanks including herons and egrets and buzzards circling overhead. The North Gower village of Penclawdd (famous for its cockles, lava bread and salt marsh lamb) is visible on the opposite bank and as you proceed along you can enjoy spectacular views of the Gower coast. There are plenty of places along the route where you can stop, sit and enjoy the views and see and hear wildlife.

Note: On the very high spring tides the section near the boardwalk at Morfa Bacas can be covered for a short while.

Wetlands Centre, Penclacwydd to North Dock, Llanelli (7 mile return trip)

The route continues westwards passing the Wetlands Centre to Machynys Point skirting the Jack Nicklaus Golf Course and along the coast for the remaining two miles to North Dock, Llanelli.

As you travel towards Machynys Point you can enjoy fine views of the North Gower Coast including Llanrhidian Marshes, Llanmadoc Down and the spectacular Whitford Burrows, with its historic cast iron lighthouse. The estuary at all tides and light conditions is a fantastic backdrop to the shoreline with frequent places to stop to sit and enjoy the views, wildlife and ambience.

Continuing towards Llanelli along the shoreline you cross the River Lliedi near the former tidal dock entrance and arrive at North Dock. St. Elli's bay Bistro and Brasserie offers a great place to grab a coffee and a slice of cake and enjoy the amazing views over the Gower. The amazing promenade gives access to Llanelli beach and includes viewpoints and many features and sculptures along the way.

North Dock Discovery Centre Llanelli to Burry Port Harbour (7 mile return trip) 

At North Dock, you can enjoy Llanelli beach and fine views of the estuary and across to the North Gower Coast including Whitford Burrows and its historic cast iron lighthouse. St. Elli's Bay Bistro & Brasserie at the Discovery Centre includes an ice-cream kiosk, café/restaurant and toilets. The amazing promenade gives access to the beach and includes spectacular viewpoints and many features and sculptures along the way.

The route follows the promenade for ½ mile then climbs over the landscaped railway landbridge up to the Needle Sculpture vantage point with fantastic views of the estuary and Gower and (behind you) to Sandy Water Park (where it connects to Llanelli town centre and the Swiss Valley Cycleway). The picturesque lake provides seating and lakeside places for feeding the ducks and swans and leads to the Sandpiper pub/restaurant on the opposite side.

The trail then runs for two miles passing the Festival Fields site and car park towards Pwll, with more landscape sculptures and fishing lakes ahead, passing the Pavilion Cafe, and on to the seafront to Burry Port with its harbour, picturesque marina, beach and lighthouse. It was here that Amelia Earhart landed in 1928, the first woman to fly the Atlantic, with a memorial on the east side by the lifeboat station. Here you can rest and enjoy the harbour or cross to the nearby town.

A short walk past the marina on its western side leads to the lighthouse with fantastic views of Gower and the estuary at all stages of the tide. To the east beyond the yacht club lies Burry Port beach and its caravan park.

Burry Port Harbour to Pembrey Country Park

Burry Port Harbour with its jetty and lighthouse forms a picturesque backdrop to the estuary, with views of the coast of North Gower and Whitford Lighthouse. Previously famous for Amelia Earhart's landing there in 1928 (the first woman to fly across the Atlantic), Burry Port has recently enjoyed a substantial regeneration from its industrial past with the cycle trail, marina and harbour development. A short cycle past the marina on its western side leads to the lighthouse with fantastic views of the Gower and the estuary; to the east beyond the yacht club lies Burry Port beach and its caravan park.

Travelling west past the old Pembrey Harbour and skirting the dunes you can enjoy an amazing experience of estuarial wilderness. Although not suitable for swimming, try paddling, for the estuary abounds with wildlife both in and out of the water.

Continuing along the trail, you will then enter Pembrey Country Park and its network of roads and cycle paths to access the beach and its many other attractions.