Historic mansion with ruins, a fairy village and a Christmas market

Tucked away in a national nature reserve, Newton House at Dinefwr is more than just a historic mansion.

This Jacobean stately home in Carmarthenshire boasts castle ruins, a fairy village and a medieval deer park inhabited by fallow deer.

The 850-acre Dinefwr estate, steeped in Welsh history, lies on the outskirts of the farming town of Llandeilo.

The surrounding Carmarthenshire countryside and parkland provide perfect opportunities for walks and exploration, complete with a fountain garden.

As a National Trust property, families can enjoy a free day out this winter to Dinefwr Park or any other Welsh locations under the trust.

Visitors can also witness the heritage White Park Cattle, considered the most ancient breed native to the British Isles, which have been associated with Dinefwr since the ninth century and are now classified as a rare breed.

The estate woodland houses some of Britain’s oldest trees, with over 300 oak trees at Dinefwr, some dating back more than 400 years.

If you look closely, you might discover the tiny houses in the hidden village of y Tylwyth Teg, the mysterious Welsh fairy folk.

Or take a walk up to the ruins of Dinefwr Castle overlooking the Tywi Valley and let your imagination wander back to days of knights and castles, reports Wales Online.

The heart of the Dinefwr estate is home to the Grade II listed Newton House, a family residence for over 300 years to the descendants of The Lord Rhys, the influential Prince of the Welsh Kingdom of Deheubarth. Since 1990, the National Trust has been preserving this historic property.

The house’s exterior, dating back to the 1850s, boasts a stylish Gothic façade that complements its Jacobean interior.

Inside, many original 17th-century features are still intact, including the grand staircase and ornate ceilings.

Visitors can explore the servants’ quarters, enjoy a café and browse a second-hand bookshop.

The house will be festively decorated for Christmas, with a ‘Creatures of Dinefwr’ Christmas Tree taking centre stage in the outer hall.

Christmas fair stalls will be set up at the front of the house from November 22 to 24. Regardless of your visit date, Dinefwr offers beautiful walks, history, and fun for a day out.

For those visiting with a wheelchair or pushchair, level access from the car park to Newton House is available, and accessible paths are located at the front of the house.

However, the National Trust advises that some trails may not be suitable, and there is no lift inside the house.