Llandovery is a good starting-place for the ascent of the Carmarthenshire Van (i.e. Beacon), about 13 miles distant, one of the highest peaks in South Wales. The view from the summit of the Van in clear weather is magnificent. Near at hand are the Black Mountains, a rather gloomy sandstone range, and in the distance are the mountains of North Wales, Swansea Bay, and the Devonshire coast. An easy descent may be effected on the south-eastern side of the mountain to Penwyllt station, on the Brecon-Swansea line. Just below this is Craig-y-Nos Castle, the home of Madame Patti-Nicolini.
Among other interesting excursions from Llandovery are those to Irecastle, a village in the valley of the Usk; Ystradffyn, near which a splendid panorama of the valley of the Towy is obtained; and Pumpsaint, a romantic village with a gold-mine near at hand.
[Illustration: H.F. Dann.
LLANDOVERY CASTLE.
It was built in the twelfth century, and dismantled by Cromwell's orders.]
DARTMOUTH, DEVON
=How to get there.=—From Paddington. Great Western Railway.
=Nearest Station.=—Dartmouth (by steam ferry from Kingswear).
=Distance from London.=—229 miles.
=Average Time.=—Varies between 5-1/2 to 7 hours.
1st 2nd 3rd
=Fares.=—Single 34s. 6d. 21s. 6d. 17d. 3d.
Return 60s. 3d. 37s. 10d. …
=Accommodation Obtainable.=—"Royal Castle Hotel," "Raleigh
Hotel," etc.
=Alternative Route.=—None.
There is scarcely a more romantic spot in the whole of England than Dartmouth. Spread out on one of the steep slopes of the Dart, it overlooks the deep-set river towards the sea and inland towards Totnes. Steep wooded banks rising out of the water's edge give the windings of the estuary the feeling of solemn mystery which is not obtainable from meadows or ploughlands. In the midst of scenery of this character—and it must have been richer still a few centuries back—the inhabitants of Dartmouth made history.