FERRY-SIDE, a village in the parish of ST-ISHMAEL'S, hundred of KIDWELLY, county of CARMARTHEN, SOUTH WALES, 7 miles
(S. by w.) from Carmarthen. The population is returned with the parish. This small village, from its situation on the
south-eastern bank of the river Towy, near its influx into Carmarthen bay, has recently risen into notice and esteem as a
watering-place, and, from its proximity to Carmarthen, promises to become in a short time a valuable appendage to that
rapidly improving town. The sands are remarkably fine, affording delightful walks along the margin of the sea: the air is
pure and salubrious; and the surrounding scenery abounds with objects of picturesque and romantic beauty. These
advantages, united with the facilities for sea-bathing which the place affords, and the accommodations which have been
provided for visitors who frequent it for that purpose, have already raised it to a degree of importance among the places
of similar resort on this part of the coast, which is every day increasing. It contains several genteel private dwellings
and respectable lodging-houses for visitors; and the neighbourhood affords a variety of interesting excursions. The view
directly from the village embraces the tastefully ornamented lawns of Llanstephan Place, the seat of George Mears, Esq.,
with the mansion, and the luxuriant plantations above it; on one side the venerable and picturesque ruins of Llanstephan
castle, and on the other the village church half embosomed in trees, with the noble stream of the Towy, which is here a
mile in breadth, in the foreground. At the suggestion of Dr. Burgess, late Bishop of St. David's, a church has been
erected by subscription, aided by a grant from the Incorporated Society for building and enlarging churches and chapels,
in consideration of which assistance, one hundred and ninety-two seats have been reserved for the free accommodation of
the poor. This church, which is dedicated to St. Thomas, was opened for divine service in 18e8: it is a neat and
appropriate structure, in every respect adapted to the accommodation of the inhabitants. The living is a perpetual curacy,
in the archdeaconry of Carmarthen, and diocese of St. David's, and in the patronage of the Rev. Edward Picton, by whom it
has been endowed with 44 per annum, to which has been added £600 royal bounty. There is a place of worship for Welsh
Calvinistic Methodists.