Llanelli is a coastal town, ideally situated as a centre for touring West Wales, with the beautiful Gower peninsula, Brecon Beacons and the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park all being within easy driving distance Pembrey Country Park To the west of Llanelli, on Carmarthen Bay there is a superb mix of seashore, woodland and rolling countryside together with the historic town of Kidwelly with its ancient castle and the Pembrey peninsula - a vast extent of beach, dunes and forest. This area offers the tourist a number of facilities including Burry Port harbour, for yachting and fishing; and the championship standard Ashburnham Golf Course. However, the major attraction is Pembrey Country Park, which attracts over 300,000 people a year to enjoy the peace and tranquillity of Pembrey forest and the seven miles of Cefn Sidan beach, which translated means literally "silk back". Once the site of a Royal Ordnance Factory it was acquired by the local authority in 1977 and has been completely transformed into a superb seaside country park offering a magnificent beach, woodland, picnic areas, a dry ski-slope, toboggan run, and pitch and putt course. There are also spacious car parking facilities,a Visitors Centre, and a restaurant.(Tel 01554 833913). Pembrey Airfield On an adjacent site slightly to the north lies the former Pembrey Airfield which has been developed as the Welsh Motor Sports Centre for Formula 3, autocross, go-karting and other motor sports. A full programme of events is staged during the year. The intervening area of Pembrey forest caters for those seeking the quiet enjoyment of the forest and dunes.   Kidwelly For those interested in history, Kidwelly Castle and town are well worth a visit. The first castle was built in 1106 as a motte and bailey and was subsequently rebuilt in 1275 and 1315, and by the 14th Century it was the busiest port in South Wales. There is also an historic church built in the 13th Century to serve the Benedictine Priory. An industrial museum has been developed on the site of the former Kidwelly tinplate works.   Millennium Coastal Park Llanelli took centre stage in celebrating the new millennium with the opening of the unique Millennium Coastal Park. The prestigious £27.5 million project has transformed and enhanced a 22 kilometre stretch of coastline between Loughor Bridge in the East and Pembrey Country Park in the West, secured the protection of a precious wildlife habitat and encouraged people to experience and enjoy the natural environment. The Coastal Park was officially opened by Her Majesty the Queen on 12th June, 2002 as part of her Golden Jubilee tour. It comprises features such as 200 acres of wetlands habitat (which has enhanced the already popular Wildfowl & Wetlands Centre at Penclacwydd -Tel. 01554 741087, modelled on the late Sir Peter Scott's internationally famous Slimbridge Centre in Gloucestershire),- water sports centre, coarse fishing lakes, two giant land bridges, community woodlands, a major outdoor events area (which hosted the National Eisteddfod of 2000), public works of art and a Jack Nicklaus designed golf course due for completion in 2003. All these features and facilities are linked by a continuous footpath and cycleway which can be accessed from a number of gateway entrances at strategic points along the Park. (Millennium Coastal Park Project Office Tel. 01554 777744) Llanelli Leisure Centre A leisure centre complex has been developed at People's Park in Park Crescent which incorporates the completely renovated Jubilee Swimming Pool originally opened in 1963. This includes a 25 metre main pool with hydro slide, a learners pool, a Spa bath, sunbeds, massage service and a luxurious sauna suite. The integrated leisure centre facilities include at ground floor level a multi-purpose sports hall capable of accomodating two full-size tennis courts of international standard (these converting to eight badminton courts), a fully-equipped weights gymnasium, two squash courts, creche facilities for babies up to two years of age, and for 2 - 5 years of age linked to external play area. The second-floor level provides two large function rooms, a shop and viewing balconies. The third floor level contains a licensed lounge bar, cafeteria, and viewing balconies. Lift facilities make the complex fully accessible to handicapped persons. (Tel. 01554 774757) Selwyn Samuel Indoor Bowls Centre Immediately adjacent to the leisure centre is the Selwyn Samuel Centre which houses a six-rink indoor bowling green with restaurant and bar facilities. The Centre is open seven days a week throughout the indoor bowls season (Sept-April). The Centre has hosted a number of National and International bowls events, many of which have been televised. (Tel. 01554 776506). During the summer recess period from May until mid-September the Centre, which is licensed for public entertainments, is utilised for a range of activities including concerts, seminars, exhibitions etc. with a 12,000 square feet floor area. It is fully equipped with a modern stage lighting system, tiered staging and chair stock for a maximum seated audience of 1,200 persons. The adjoining Lliedi Suite caters for wedding receptions, dinners, functions, etc., with modern disco equipment and dance floor. (Tel. 01554 775135)