Laugharne open weekend and discounted winter breaks

Laugharne open weekend - once a year many of the local attractions open their doors free to the public.

The Museum of Speed, newly opened this autumn has "Babs" the land speed record car, which was buried for many years in the sand following the death of it's driver Parry Thomas competing in a land speed record. Its not just cars but   a Penny Farthing, Sunbeam and Douglas motorbikes and information about the work of the Ministry of defence who own the 7 miles of beach from Pendine.

In Laugharne at the writing shed, I was advised that many of Dylan Thomas's items had been stolen from the shed during his funeral.

The boathouse, where Dylan and his wife Caitlin lived has been preserved as it was except, downstairs where they now do lovely lunches and teas. Outside we saw egrets, sanderlings and oystercatchers flying over the estuary.

St Martins church opened its doors and showed off their incredible stained glass windows and 15th century robe and I went into the tower via a thin spiral staircase after the bellringers had finished ringing.

Dylan and Caitlin's white wooden cross stands out in the newer graveyard, whereas the one surrounding the church sadly has many damaged gravestones, but an incredible history of old local people is preserved amongst them.

The town hall was open and the men discussed the ancient township practices many of which continue today, including the common walk, where once a year hundreds of locals and visitors start walking around the area at 06:00 and if you're asked where you are and you don't know, you are tipped upside down, in the past you'd have been whipped too. Laugharne is one of the few UK townships left, its corporation is run by men, a portreeve and burgesses. Although we have a female mayor.

 
But the best visit of the day in my opinion was the tour of the ancient castle walls and gardens. The guide was witty and informative, he described how difficult it was to enter the gates of the castle and the items that would be poured on you to stop you getting in, most of which blinded or burnt the unlucky person. Many centuries ago, where allegedly, one way in court to decide if you were guilty or not was to throw you from the castle into the sea, if you started to sink then you were innocent as that was God wanting you, if you flailed your arms about or tried to swim you were guilty and left to drown. 45 minutes of excellent narrative. There were other places open, but not enough time as the storms that brewed meant a trip to Ginst point would result in impressive sand dunes, not tall but multiple in nature. I was not disappointed.

Fancy a trip to Laugharne, contact me directly for the best winter prices without a booking fee- we need to increase our bookings before April 1st 2024 to comply with new Welsh government rules on holiday lets, so please email/call me if you want a discounted stay and the opportunity to visit some of these attractions. (note in winter months opening hours are likely to be reduced or closed along with some restaurants and pubs -check their websites for opening times)

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Exhibits from Pendine Museum of Speed 

Outer walls overlooking the sae Laugharne Castle

Ginst point sand dune