Laugharne (Lacharn)

Introducing Laugharne (Lacharn)

This sleepy little village (pronounced ‘larn’) – Dylan Thomas described it as a ‘timeless, mild, beguiling island of a town’ – sits above the glittering, tide-washed shores of the Taf Estuary, overlooked by the dramatic ruins of a Norman castle.

Thomas lived here for the last four years of his life, during which time he produced some of his most inspired work, including Under Milk Wood; the town is one of the inspirations for the play’s fictional village of Llareggub (which spells ‘bugger all’ backwards). On Thomas’ first visit he described it as the ‘strangest town in Wales’, but returned repeatedly throughout his restless life. Many Dylan fans make a pilgrimage here to see the Boathouse where he lived, Brown’s Hotel where he drank (he used to give the pub telephone number as his contact number) and the churchyard where he’s buried.

You can get tourist information at Corran Books (427444; King St).

Last updated: Feb 17, 2009