Carmarthen, Carmarthenshire – Best Places to Live in the UK 2019

Shopping is not everyone’s favourite pastime, but the £74m St Catherine’s Walk centre has saved this town, which claims to be the oldest in Wales, from being hollowed out by large supermarkets setting up stall on the outskirts (as seen, sadly, in Neath, Swansea and Llanelli). It has more than 20 stores, a six-screen cinema and 950 24-hour parking spaces; shoppers filter through from Debenhams and Next, bringing passing trade to independent shops such as the King Street Gallery, a space for local artists, or Diablo’s wine bar. Carmarthen was once reputed to have more pubs than lampposts, and there are still a handful of boozers pulling a decent pint of Brains. The market stalls sell dairy produce and ham from local farms. Visit the