River Towy

The River Towy winds for 120 kilometres through the Cambrian Mountains and Carmarthenshire. It begins within 15 kilometres of the River Teifi’s source on Crug Gynan’s lower slopes. The river carves through steep hills of Tywi Forest, marking the border between Ceredigion and Powys. It passes the towns of Llandovery and Llandeilo before reaching Carmarthen. Near Abergwili, the Gwili joins the Towy, and the estuary meets Carmarthen Bay east of Pendine Sands. Llansteffan Castle, built in the 12th century, once guarded this stretch. The Towy draws anglers for its sea trout, known locally as sewin, which return each spring to breed in tributaries. The river produces more sea trout weighing over ten pounds than any other in Britain. Anglers have landed fish over twenty pounds, while salmon run in summer and autumn. Rare twaite shad and allis shad appear in May, and the Towy once yielded a 176-kilogram sturgeon in 1932. Otters thrive along its banks, and grey seals swim upriver chasing sea trout and salmon. The river valley supports many water and wetland birds, including sand martins, dippers, and kingfishers. Red kites and buzzards circle overhead, while goosanders and cormorants hunt fish. Oxbow lakes like Bishop’s Pond at Abergwili burst into yellow water lilies each summer. The surrounding landscape offers quiet walks through wooded hills and farmland. The river’s flow is controlled by Llyn Brianne reservoir, built in 1972 to store winter rain.