Day 77: Laugharne to St Clears

We had a late start to the day so that we could explore Laugharne Castle before continuing our journey to St Clears. Laugharne Castle was raised by the Normans in the early twelfth century to control the crossing over the River Taf. It was captured and burnt by Lord Rhys, Llywelyn ap Iorwerth and Llywelyn ap Gruffudd but on each occasion was rebuilt. By the late sixteenth century, it was in the hands of Sir John Perrot who converted it into an Elizabethan mansion. It was destroyed during the Civil War and left in ruins never to be rebuilt.

Laugharne Caslte

Laugharne Castle

Gateway, Laugharne Castle

View over Taf Estuary from Laugharne Castle

The township of Laugharne

 From the castle we followed the path which headed down to The Dylan Thomas Boathouse. The poet lived here between 1949 and 1953 and the building, which once served as the Ferryman’s Inn, is now open as a museum.

Seaview - Former home of poet Dylan Thomas

The Boathouse, former home of Dylan Thomas

We continued along through a woodland which emerged on the estuary shore and took us through Delacorse Farm with its abundant kitchen garden and beautiful stone farmhouse.

Path through the woodland

Kitchen garden, Delacorse Farm

Farmhouse at Delacorse Farm

From here we followed a private lane to Brixtarw where we had stayed the previous week. The path continued down the lane and through another woodland, over a couple of streams to reach the Afon Taf again.

Private lane to Delacorse Farm

Brixtarw - we stayed in cream annex previous week

The path up to this point had been pleasant walking however from here it crossed a number of uneven fields which soon resulted in sore feet and ankles.

Walking through the fields

The path followed the road to St Clears

Crossing the Afon Taf we came into St Clears (a corruption of St Clare’s), a small linear town, which developed around its motte-and-bailey Norman castle. All that is left of the castle now is a very large weed covered mound of approximately 10-15 metres high.  

Remains of Motte & Bailey Castle at St Clears (photo courtesy of Google)

Lych gate, St Mary Magdalene Church, St Clears