I stayed in Dylan Thomas’s hometown in Wales & it was something to write home about

LAUGHARNE is a timeless, mild, beguiling island of a town.

Some, like myself, just came, one day, for the day, and never left; got off the bus, and forgot to get on again.

Not my words, but those of Welsh poet and writer, Dylan Thomas.

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This beautiful little town which sits on the estuary where the River Taf flows into Carmarthen Bay was home to Thomas, wife Caitlin and their three children in the 1950s.

It was also the idyllic setting for my family for a glorious week at the Dylan Coastal Resort. The stunning five-star set-up benefited from a £20m investment over lockdown — and it shows.

The luxury lodges all have stunning open aspects over the bay. With the option to purchase you might bump into Wales and Lions rugby legend Alun Wyn Jones, right, who owns a property onsite.

Our two-bedroom accommodation slept six and was a genuine home from home, with a lounge/diner/kitchen fitted with all mod-cons, including 50in TV, a fridge freezer, washer, dryer and dishwasher.

There was an ensuite and large bathroom with bath and separate shower to keep wife Angie and kids Gemma, 15, and Lewis, 12, happy.

But the real wow-factor was provided by the large sun-soaked decking area and massive hot tub, with stunning views out over the estuary. Sitting for a soak in the dwindling sunshine was the perfect way to end every day.

After the drive through the lofty peaks and plummeting valleys of Wales, it was glorious to sit with a beer in the final few hours of Welsh sunshine.

Night time saw us head to the Milk Wood House Spa and Restaurant, named after one of Thomas’ most popular plays.

Built into the cliff face with more wondrous views of the estuary, it focuses on locally sourced food.

My oak-smoked salmon starter and pan-fried bream was outstanding, and the rump of lamb, moules mariniere and steak the rest of the clan had were all top class too.

The following morning we sampled the delights of the spa and its organic, seaweed-based ishga treatments. A back, neck and shoulders massage was the order of the day for Angie and myself. Bliss.

Then we headed to Dylan Thomas’ former house and the writing shed where he created some of his most famous works, including “Over Sir John’s Hill” and much of ‘’Under Milk Wood’’.

He is buried in St Martin’s Church on the edge of the town along with his beloved wife, who died in 1994 aged 80.

Laugharne itself is a little throwback town, where the Norman castle and that stunning Taf Estuary dominate. With narrow cobbled streets, a handful of shops and pretty houses painted in pastel greens, blues and yellows, it’s an absolute delight.

There are several excellent restaurants and pubs, including Portreeves (try the seafood platter), Arthur’s (for breakfast), The Ferryman Deli (for lunch) and a super steakhouse at Brown’s Hotel – formerly Mr Dylan Thomas’ favourite drinking spot.

There’s even a cracking little Thai restaurant, Poons, where the prawn with chilli and garlic practically blew our socks off.

After spending every morning in the Milk Wood’s ultra-swish gym and steam room trying to work off those extra holiday pounds, while the kids hit the pool, we ventured further afield and spent a day at Manor Wildlife Park where feeding the wallabies went down a real treat.

We spent a day at Pendine Sands beach and a trip to the stunning fishing town Tenby is a must but every evening we headed back to our luxury lodge to hit the hot tub.

Unfortunately, unlike Dylan Thomas, we had to eventually leave. But we’ll definitely be back.

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