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.

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)