A Sense Of Place.
Dylan Thomas Trail
Follow the Dylan Thomas trail around South West Wales and visit the key locations associated with the poet and writer - from Swansea Bay, through Carmarthenshire, to Pembrokeshire and Ceredigion on the west coast. One day can take in the sites and sounds of Swansea Bay, or you can take four days to truly explore the rich literary history of the area.
Day 1 - Swansea BayIncluding Swansea, Mumbles and the Gower Peninsula. For details on locations in this section and information on the trails through all the Swansea links, visit www.swansea.gov.uk/dylanthomas
5 Cwmdonkin Drive and Cwmdonkin Park
The house where the poet was born and wrote two thirds of his overall poetic output is situated half way up the steep hill of Cwmdonkin Drive. At present the house is privately owned and not open for visits. Cwmdonkin Park, where he played as a child, inspired Dylan throughout his life. In the middle of the park there is a stone from a local quarry inscribed with the final lines of one of his most famous poems, 'Fern Hill'.
Swansea City Centre
Follow the city centre trail tracing Dylan's haunts.
Dylan Thomas Centre
Opened in 1995 by former US President Jimmy Carter, the centre houses a unique multimedia exhibition, 'Man and Myth', as well as an excellent bookshop, cafe and restaurant and hosts a varied programme of events throughout the year.
Dylan's Bookshop
A fascinating shop with a unique collection of memorabilia. For details visit www.dylans.com
Swansea Reference Library
Established in the 1950s, the library houses a collection of over 2000 items relating to the poet and is close to the BBC studios where he recorded.
Mumbles and the Gower Peninsula
The location of many visits by Dylan as child and adult. Dylan writes of once getting marooned on Worm's Head, Rhossili, a striking promontory which is cut off from the mainland at high tide.
Day 2 - CarmarthenshireIncluding Laugharne, Llangain and Llansteffan. For details on the locations in this section, visit www.dylanthomasboathouse.com
Boathouse, Laugharne
Dylan wrote many of his major works including ‘Poem on his Birthday’ and ‘Under Milk Wood’ in the Boathouse. Visitors can enjoy interpretative displays and memorabilia and also view his Writing Shed.
St Martin’s Church, Laugharne
The poet is buried in St Martin’s Churchyard, his grave marked by a simple white cross. His wife Caitlin (who died in 1994) is buried with him. The church houses a replica of the memorial stone to Dylan in Poets’ Corner, Westminster Abbey.
Laugharne Castle
The castle was once owned by the writer Richard Hughes. Thomas often stayed with Hughes and used the gazebo in the grounds when writing. The castle is now in the care of CADW, Welsh Historic Monuments and is perfect for a visit. The trail in Laugharne includes Dylan’s favourite public house, Brown’s Hotel on the main street.
Llangain
Dylan spent many happy holidays on Fernhill Farm, owned by his Uncle Jack and Aunt Annie, which he immortalised in the poem of the same name.
Llansteffan
This seaside village was another childhood favourite of Dylan’s and the setting for his short story, ‘The Outing’.
Day 3 - PembrokeshireIncluding Tenby, St Dogmaels and St David's. The stretches of coast and countryside in Pembrokeshire remain a constant source of inspiration for artists, writers and photographers.
Tenby
Tenby by Night
Dylan’s link to Tenby is through the artist, Augustus John, who created one of the most memorable images of the poet. John made his home in Tenby for many years. Dylan also gave the first full reading of Under Milk Wood at a café called the Salad Bowl, George Street.
St Dogmaels
Dylan visited Hendre Farm, St Dogmaels in 1930 and wrote a poem for the young girl of the house, Bonnie James.
St David’s
Dylan and his friend John Davenport visited St David’s (Britain’s smallest city) in 1938. Following a walk to St David’s Head, Dylan recited his birthday poem, ‘Twenty Four Years’.
Pwllgwaelod
Dylan visited the public house, the Sailor’s Safety on the foreshore of Pwllgwaelod beach with friends in 1951. The pub is now called Aux Pavols.
Fishguard
Lower Town Fishguard was the location for the fictional town of Llareggub in the 1973 film version of ‘Under Milk Wood’ starring Richard Burton.
Day 4 - CeredigionDylan lived and wrote in several locations in Ceredigion. He had relations living in the county including his great uncle Reverend William Thomas, a Unitarian Minister and a poet of distinction in his own right. For further details visit www.ceredigion.gov.uk
New Quay
In 1944, Dylan rented a bungalow, called Majoda, just outside the town. This marked one of the most prolific periods of his writing career which included the radio broadcast ‘Quite Early One Morning’. Continue the Ceredigion trail along the coast to Aberaeron and Llangrannog, and inland to the Aeron River Valley.