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Festival Map
For a google map of the village, with all the festival
venues marked, please click here
Location
'This timeless, mild, beguiling island of a town with its seven
public houses, one chapel in action, one church, one factory, two billiard
tables, one St. Bernard (without brandy), one policeman, three rivers, a
visiting sea, one Rolls-Royce selling fish and chips, one cannon (cast-iron),
one chancellor (flesh and blood), one portreeve, one Danny Raye, and a
multitude of mixed birds, here we just are, and there is nowhere like it
anywhere at all.' Dylan Thomas.
Sorry, it's pretty much impossible to discuss Laugharne without
mentioning Dylan Thomas, who lived here and set his best loved work, Under
Milk Wood, in a fictional version of here. And, furthermore, his description
remains pretty much true today (though it's odd that he doesn't mention the
castle that's right slap bang in the middle of town).
Laugharne is the end of a road to nowhere. It's just five miles off a
beaten track, but somewhere in the course of those five miles you cross over
into not just another era but another dimension: there is, as Dylan says, 'nowhere
like it anywhere at all'.
That doesn't mean you can't find out what it looks like, and what
there is to do and see, both here and in the surrounding area. There are
plenty of websites that will help you out with this.
For starters you could try clicking here or here.
But really, if I were you, I'd forget all that research - it's the
worst thing about the internet, the way it sucks all the surprise out of the
world - and just come and see for yourself.
Course not every one agrees with me about this - so here's Richard's
guide to where to eat and drink in Laugharne. You don't have to read it.
Eating and drinking in Laugharne
The Cors
Newbridge Road Laugharne 01994 427219
Set in stunning gardens The Cors has an intimate candlelit dining room
with a daily changing menu concentrating on local organic produce sourced by
chef/proprietor Nick Priestland “Very special, very romantic and quirky” The
Times
Hurst House
East Marsh, Laugharne 01994 427417
This 16th century former dairy farm has been converted into a handsome
boutique hotel with a fine-dining restaurant. Recently described by The
Independent as one of the most romantic places in the UK.
The Stable Door
Market Lane Laugharne 01994 427777
Run by chef Wendy Joy this Mediterranean flavoured restaurant and wine
bar specialises in tapas throughout the week with traditional lunches on
Sunday which are renowned throughout West Wales.
Castle View Fish Bar
Grist Square Laugharne
A wonderful chippy on the town square with a licensed restaurant and
takeaway facilities. The faggot peas and chips are highly recommended.
The Owl and The Pussycat
Grist Square Laugharne
Charming tea rooms on the town square opposite the castle. The Welsh
delicacy bara brith should be taken with your afternoon tea here.
Green Room Cafe Bar
Grist
Square Laugharne.
A
cafe/restaurant open from 10am-10pm. www.thegreenroomcafe.co.uk .
Pubs
The New Three Mariners
Victoria Road Laugharne
A gem of a pub with a fine pint of local beer Reverend James and over
twenty varieties of whisky. Sporting memorabilia adorn the walls but be warned
the manager Richard Pearce is a Man Utd fan. The pub also has accommodation
and serves a huge breakfast for it’s guests.
The Fountain Inn (The Rugby Club)
Grist Square Laugharne
Very friendly pub with a fine cask conditioned pint of Felinfoel
Double Dragon. Several festival performances will take place in the upstairs
room of this pub on the Saturday and Sunday.
The Cross Inn
Grist Square Laugharne
Another pub on the town square, The Cross Inn has benches and tables
outside And serves a fine variety of meals
How To Get To Laugharne
By Car
Take the M4 into Wales
and at the end of the M4 (Pont Abraham) take the A40 to Carmarthen
then at St Clears take the A4066 and follow the signs for Laugharne and Dylan
Thomas' Boathouse.
By Train
Paddington to Carmarthen (change at Swansea
or Cardiff
for details click here)
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