Carmarthen is a large town in south Wales that sits on the banks of the River Tywi. It’s been a market town since Roman times, and there is still a market there six days a week, as well as plenty of independent shops.
The film Jurassic Park was shown in Carmarthen before anywhere else in the UK after the manager of the only cinema in the town, The Lyric Theatre, and the town’s mayor, sent a fax to the film’s director Stephen Spielberg to tell him how unhappy they were that the film wasn’t going to be shown there! The theatre is no longer used as a cinema, but they definitely had their moment, and the event was made into a film called Save the Cinema!
The Waterstones is located in Guildhall Square, which is a large pedestrianised area in the centre of town, and is set over two floors.
Carmarthen Guildhall
This gorgeous building is now the Cofio Lounge café bar (we love a Lounge), but started life as a Guildhall with a market below. It was used as a courthouse until it closed in 2016. The old courtroom is still upstairs, and can be visited when it’s quiet, but sadly it was really busy in the café, so we just popped upstairs and peered through the windows!
The Lyric Theatre – site of the UK premiere of Jurassic Park
Carmarthen Castle
The stone castle was built in the 1190s, replacing an earlier timber motte and bailey version. The castle was partially demolished in the 17th Century. Not much remains, but it is free to wander round what’s left.
Currently reading: A Disappearance in Fiji by Nilima Rao
Janet's Adventures in Waterstones 