Ammanford

Ammanford is the fourth largest town in Carmarthenshire. Ammanford took its current name on November 20, 1880. The community that existed then and now known as Ammanford dates back to around the early 1800s.

The Industrial Revolution created a demand for coal, an essential source of power to operate the boilers of steam engines. Coal attracted investment, which led to various companies, one of which was the Llanelli Railway and Dock Company, building an elaborate transport system of railways. The first railway was opened in 1840, linking Llanelli with Ammanford, reaching Brynamman by 1842 and later extending northwards to Llandeilo and beyond.

Coal could not be mined without manpower, and so an influx of workers began. People needed houses, services, entertainment, and schools. Within a relatively short period of time, what was once a quiet and tranquil agricultural community changed to a bustling town, hungry to absorb the land of old established farmsteads. The population increased explosively, with many of the migrants and their families coming from English language-speaking areas of Wales as well as from England, Scotland and Ireland.

Today Ammanford is the main shopping centre for many villages in the surrounding area. With many businesses setting up in the town due to it's central location within the area. The town has a great selection of accommodation and a variety of pubs and restaurants for the welcome visitors.