Discover Pembrokeshire's Literary Locations
Pembrokeshire has inspired several well-known authors
Discover Pembrokeshire's literary locations and links with this our informative guide to the towns and villages that have connections to famous authors like Dylan Thomas, Roald Dahl, Mary Shelley and more.
The Pembrokeshire Coast National Park is truly breath-taking so it is no wonder that creative types feel strongly inspired by the landscape, the communities and the historical myths of the region. This literary trail of Pembrokeshire provides a fascinating insight behind some of the most popular books and tales written by UK authors.
Dylan Thomas and Pembrokeshire
You may already be aware of Laugharne's connection to beloved Welsh author, Dylan Thomas. Laugharne held a special place in the heart of the Swansea-born author as it was there where he wrote some of his best-known literature.
His famous "play of voices", Under Milkwood, was written in the writing shed behind Thomas' Boathouse home (now a popular visitor's attraction) and tells the tales of the people of Llaregub. This fictional community and their antics were supposedly inspired by the quirky waterside village of Laugharne, where a majestic castle stands proudly over the estuary. It is well worth making the time to explore this fascinating fortress if you are in the area.
For a true insight into the famous Welsh author, it is recommended to pay a visit to the Dylan Thomas Boathouse, set right on the water just along the walkway from the castle. Take a self-guided tour of the quaint house where he and wife Caitlin once lived and buy a copies of his books at the gift shop. Enjoy a cup of tea and a slice of cake or a light lunch at the cafe which has since been built inside. Each year, the 14th May is dedicated to the late author so keep an eye out as the Boathouse sometimes hosts special events in celebration of the day.
The Dylan Thomas Boathouse, a literary location in Laugharne
When in Laugharne, you might like to see some of the other literary locations here which hold strong connections to Dylan Thomas. Sightsee his and Caitlin's grave at Saint Martin's Church just up the hill and make sure to snap a picture of the famous author's statue in the pretty greenery near the main car park and castle. There are plenty of benches to take a seat and soak in the scenes along with a useful noticeboard providing information about the town.
You can drink in Browns Hotel where Dylan spent many an evening with a drink in his hand, sat at his favourite window seat. Follow the Birthday Walk on your birthday and receive rewards along the trail or stay in early April for Laugharne Weekend, a popular literature and arts festival.
“this timeless, beautiful, barmy town… there is nowhere else quite like it at all”
Dylan Thomas on Laugharne, October 1953
Laugharne Castle
Since Dylan Thomas' most famous play was first performed in 1953, two film adaptations of Under Milkwood have been made. The harbour village of Fishguard in North Pembrokeshire was transformed in 1972 for the film of the same name starring Richard Burton and Elizabeth Taylor, whilst the western village of Solva was portrayed as the make-believe village in 2015 for the film starring Rhys Ifans and Charlotte Church.
Roald Dahl and Tenby
Cardiff-born author Roald Dahl, known best for children's stories such as James and the Giant Peach, Matilda and The Twits, enjoyed a seaside holiday in Tenby each year throughout the 1920s and 1930s during his own childhood. An annual tradition during these decades, Roald and family stayed each year in The Cabin at Tenby Harbour overlooking the moored boats and town from one side and Carmarthen Bay from the other.
The Cabin is the furthermost left building pictured
The Dahl’s loved the area and their stays in The Cabin so much, that in 1973 members of the family bought the property and to this day, it remains in their possession. Dahl even wrote fondly about these holidays in his 1993 publication, My Year stating “we adored Tenby…we had donkey rides on the beach and long walks with the dogs along the top of the cliffs opposite Caldey Island”.
Enjoy a stay in Roald Dahl’s favourite seaside holiday home and follow in his footsteps. You’re no longer able to ride a donkey along the beach, but you can still enjoy a stroll along the cliffs.
“An Easter holiday is hardly an Easter holiday without Tenby”
Roald Dahl in a letter to his mother, March 1933.
Beatrix Potter and Tenby
Famous for her children's tales about Peter Rabbit and friends, English writer and illustrator Beatrix Potter was also known to holiday in Tenby. Best known for her short stories about the antics of Peter Rabbit, Potter stayed at 2 Croft Court in 1900 and wrote letters to her governess from Tenby which have been put on display in a Gloucester museum. It is said that her illustration of the pond in The Tale of Peter Rabbit was taken from a painting of this Tenby house.
Stroll along The Croft, looking down to Tenby North Beach on one side and you'll find a blue plaque dedicated to Beatrix Potter on the front wall of Croft House.
Mary Shelley and Laugharne
Arguably one of the most famous authors of the modern world Mary Shelley was no stranger to the area. Having travelled Europe extensively, the author was known to visit Laugharne as this is where her mother, Mary Wollstonecroft had settled.
Shelley published her iconic novel, Frankenstein, in 1918 at a particularly young age of 20. Originally published anonymously, her unique horror story tells the tale of Doctor Victor Frankenstein who brought a being to life after many experiments.
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Dick Francis and Lawrenny
Another quite significant literary location in Pembrokeshire is Lawrenny. National Hunt jockey, Dick Francis, grew up in here before competing in the Grand National - most memorably in the 1956 event where he rode the Queen Mother’s horse and fell just yards shy of the winning post. After his jockey career, Francis went on to sell over 60 million books worldwide with his 40 best-sellers and was awarded a CBE in 2000 for his services to literature.
His novels all centred around the world of horse racing, a subject that Francis knew inside-out, with many morphing into mystery stories with the addition of a detective.
Lawrenny is one of the prettiest of Pembrokeshire's literary locations
That concludes our round-up of Pembrokeshire's Literary Locations and Links, but do let us know if you're aware of any more. Drop us an email to [email protected] with more information.
