Rich in beauty, wildlife and history, there's plenty to see on a trip to Pembrey Forest in Pembrey Country Park, Carmarthenshire.

Planted to replace wood cut down for the two World Wars, it’s now a paradise for nature lovers to explore set along the sand dunes of Cefn Sidan Beach, a marvel in its own right, spanning an incredible eight miles.

Discover its explosive past

The whole area has an industrial past and your walk through the forest takes you along the old train tracks, which you can still see today, that once served the 700 acre WW1 ammunition factory where dynamite and TNT were made.

Keep an eye out for some of the old bunkers and curved blast tunnels and soak up some of the fascinating history of the area.

A beautiful walk

Head off on the four and a half mile long Pines and Shells Trail and explore sandy tracks and forest roads as you connect with nature and appreciate the fabulous Welsh countryside.

You’ll see lots of picnic tables and benches, so prepare a scrumptious picnic and enjoy lunch with a view.

A wildlife lover's paradise

Pack those binoculars to make the most of the abundance of wildlife you’ll find here.

With over 30 species of butterfly, see if you can spot one of three colonies of the grizzled skipper in Wales, with its chequered black and white pattern - they really are special!

With birds of prey and songbirds flying over you, and orchids and other colourful wildflowers on the ground, there are lots of reasons to take a moment to sit down and take it all in.

Pembrey Country Park

Enter the forest through Pembrey Country Park, where you’ll find a visitor centre, café and other exciting activities. Maybe you want to tear down the ski slopes or race around the toboggan track?

There's so much to do in the park - you can also stay overnight in the campsite which is right on the edge of the forest, perfect for a morning stroll if you’re an early riser.

There's nothing stopping you

A day of adventure awaits you at Pembrey Forest and we’re sure after your first visit, it won’t be too long until you’re packing up your walking boots and heading off to see it all again.