What is Laugharne Famous For
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- Admin
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- attractions, laugharne, tourism, holiday
- Posted date:
- 10-06-2021
Are you looking to find out more about: what is Laugharne famous for? Read More about Local Attractions in Laugharne, Carmarthenshire. Read more about The Dylan Thomas Boathouse, Laugharne Castle and Pendine Beach.
Laugharne History
You can find the beautiful town of Laugharne on the Camarthenshire coast in Wales, and it lies in the River Taff. Laugharne is steeped in history and has many places to visit.
However, it is best known for being the home of Wales' most famous English-language poet, Dylan Thomas, for its annual arts festival, Norman Castle and Laugharne Weekend. Laugharne Camarthenshire is a busy town with a rugby team, a choir, a regatta and a carnival, and much more, including the newly re-furbished Browns Hotel, known as Dylan's favourite drinking haunt.
Dylan Thomas, Laugharne's Most Famous Resident
Poet Dylan Thomas visited and fell in love with Laugharne in 1934, aged just 19 years and lived here until he died in 1953. It is said that Dylan Thomas got off the bus and forgot to get back on.
Dylan Thomas is beyond doubt Laugharne's most famous resident, and he lived in Laugharne on and off for most of his life. It is believed that Laugharne was Dylan Thomas' inspiration for Ceredigion, the fictional town of Llareggub in Under Milk Wood.
Dylan Thomas also resided in "Eros" in Gosport Street. He then moved to his home, "Sea View", until 1940.
Dylan Thomas and his wife Caitlin are buried in St. Martin's Church in Laugharne.
Laugharne Attractions
The Dylan Thomas Boathouse
The famous Boathouse is set on a cliff overlooking the Taf Estuary. The Boathouse is now a heritage centre. It contains original furnishings, Dylan Thomas memorabilia, audiovisual presentations, a tea room, a themed bookshop, terrace and viewing platform.
Overlooking the estuary, the poet lived in the boathouse with his family from 1949 to 1953. While close to the main house, this boathouse is a cliff-top garage known as his writing shed.
You can look through the window to see his desk and writing materials, just as though Dylan Thomas himself has just popped out and will return at any moment to write a poem.
Laugharne Town Buildings
The buildings in Laugharne are a mixture of splendid Georgian houses, including Castle House that was remodelled during the Regency period and Great House. It is also home to many small quaint cottages.
Laugharne's town hall and clock tower stand at the end of King Street in this pretty Georgian town centre. The town hall is still frequently used for meetings of the Laugharne Corporation, and it is the only remaining medieval corporation in the United Kingdom. Adorning the town hall is a tower topped by an Italianate bell tower that once served as a single-cell prison.
Laugharne Castle
Laugharne Castle is set low by the estuary of the Taf. With its red stone walls, Laugharne Castle is still dramatic. When the Normans arrived just after 1100, they chose a site that the sea could quickly reinforce.
Laugharne Castle is steeped in hundreds of years of history.
When the castle fell into disuse, after many centuries of conflict between Welsh and Anglo-Normans, Laugharne Castle was rescued from almost ruin by the Elizabethan courtier Sir John Perrot of Carew Castle.
He revived Laugharne Castle as a Tudor house. He turned the dilapidated castle into a residence fit for the gentry. The refurbishment included a grand hall with gaping windows that still stare, including a grand hall whose gaping windows still stare bleakly out over the water.
However, it remained unfinished when Sir John Perrot was sent to die in the Tower of London when he was disgraced in 1591. During the eighteenth century, the interior became a pleasure garden and remained one to this day.
In between the two round towers of the castles, inner Perrot's Elizabethan house sits in ruins. The house is tall but compared to the home he built in Carew; it is modest.
Dylan Thomas referred to the castle as 'brown as owls'; he famously wrote 'Portrait of the Artist as a Young Dog' in the castle gazebo perched overlooking the water and views of the Taf estuary.
Laugharne Castle has many amenities, including:
Carpark: Parking opposite the main castle entrance is limited. The main car park is situated approximately 300 meters below the castle.
Disabled Access: From the car park, there is a slight incline at the monument entrance. There is easy access through the Gatehouse for wheelchair users and prams and buggies. A small ramp leads to a levelled path at the visitor centre, giving ease of access around the site. Unfortunately, the only tower that remains accessible is limited to walkers.
Dogs: We welcome dogs, but they must be kept on a lead.
Exhibition: Within the monument is an on-site exhibition
Garden: There is a garden on-site. Refreshments: The castle has light refreshments available.
Venue Hire: You can hire the castle for exhibitions, events and filming.
Water Re-fill Station: We have a water refill station on site available for your use.
Gift Shop: There is a gift shop that offers guidebooks and a range of products and gifts.
Portable Hearing: The castle has a portable induction loop available.
Bird watching
West Wales has a fantastic array of Sea and Coastal birds, ranging from Waders and Waterfowl (Ducks, Geese, Swans).
Many Kittiwake and Gannet, Fulmar, Storm Petrel and Manx Shearwater breed here in summer; some hang around the coasts all year and others are seen in spring and autumn as passage migrants.
The Pembrokeshire coast is very famous for its offshore islands. In summer, many visitors are drawn here to view the drama of the vast colonies of aquatic birds.
These birds congregate on the rocky cliffs to breed after spending the whole of the winter out on the ocean.
Skomer Island is one of the most famous amongst these offshore islands. It is here you will see Puffins with their brightly striped beaks and comical behaviour. Mid-June to mid-July is usually the best time to see them. You can take an 11-mile boat trip to Grassholm to see a vast colony of Gannets. These graceful birds can fly at speeds reaching seventy miles an hour.
Laugharne Shops
There are many shops available in Laugharne, and there really is something to suit everyone from Farm Shops, Butcher Shops, Gift Shops, Barber Shops, Mobile Phone Repair Shops, Convenience Stores, Bridal Shops, Designer Clothing Shops, Dress Shops, Supermarkets and so much more.
Laugharne also has many cafes, restaurants, tea rooms, and Browns Hotel; where Dylan Thomas enjoyed a drink.
Places to Stay
From hotels, guest houses and Luxury cottages, including Longshore House. Whatever type or style of accommodation you require for your stay, Laugharne will have the right place for you.
Does Laugharne have a beach?
Laugharne has a beautiful sandy beach that lies just East of Pendine.
There is a coastal path that runs along here. You can follow the path South of Laugharne village. You can walk the coastal route that has been immortalised in Dylan Thomas' 'Poem in October'.
The Wales Coastal leads to Laugharne Castle, which overlooks the Taf estuary.
Pendine Beach is a short drive from Laugharne. It has seven miles of golden beaches and is famous for holding land speed records. In fact, it is Pendine beach, where the world land speed record was set a record five times between 1924 and 1927 by J.G. Parry-Thomas and Malcolm Campbell.
This famous beach is perfect for bathing, relaxing or strolling in the sunshine. It has an array of dramatic cliffs that are the ideal backdrop for a lazy picnic on the beach, and children will love using nets and rods for fishing in the many rock pools along the coast.
Are you planning a visit to Laugharne in Carmarthenshire? We hope this article has helped you find out more about what Laugharne is famous for.
If you are looking for local accommodation, you can book our self catering accommodation in Laugharne. We offer luxury cottage accommodation in the heart of Laugharne.