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The southwestern Carmarthenshire seaport village also borders the Lougher River estuary in southwestern Wales. The settlement remained small for centuries, supported economically by farming, fishing and scavenging the occasional shipwreck. The community stripped stranded vessels so efficiently that the town’s reputation struck fear in many a mariner back in the day.
Coal mining began in the valley during the 1540s. Primitive roadways allowed horse drawn wagons to move the substance from the mines to the port. Eventually, rudimentary track systems developed along with docks, enabling workers to load coal onto barges. Canal development in the 1700s, allowed miners to transport coal to barges on the river, which then travelled down to the seaport.
Burry Port did not have an actual harbour until the early 1800s, when mine owners combined efforts and constructed docks and wharves. A lighthouse followed a few years later. Mine owners also developed more effective railway systems for removing coal from mining sites. By 1840, the coal mined in the entire valley went to sea by way of Burry Port.
Burry gained recognition as a new town in 1850, as the mining industry increased the population. Housing districts emerged from the port inland. Amelia Earhart landed here in 1928 after becoming the first woman to fly across the Atlantic Ocean.
Activities and Attractions
The scenic coast hosts a variety of outdoor entertainment. Enjoy fishing off the pier or charter a boat and try angling a deep-sea game fish. Swimming and surfing are popular Wales water sports along with canoeing and sailing. Relax in the sun or take a leisurely journey down the beach. Walk down the causeway and climb to the top of the Burry Port lighthouse or check out the lifeboat station and hear the history of mariners and shipwrecks.
Miles and miles of paths allow bikers and walkers the luxury of exploring the landscape. Trails lead to the Pembrey and Millennium Coastal Parks.
The Pembrey Country Park provides guests the opportunity of enjoying traditional winter skiing and tobogganing down large grassy slopes during the warmer months. The location also has a miniature golf course and equestrian centre. Journey on paths among flower covered sand dunes or ancient wooded areas.
Four miles northwest of Burry Port lay the remnants of Kidwelly Castle. The Normans constructed the expansive fortress in the 1200s, on a steep hill overlooking the Gwendraeth River valley. Explore the inner and outer wards, the four corner towers and the gatehouses. Visitors admire the intricate stonework that took centuries for completion.
Visitors gain a better understanding of the industries that helped develop local communities for centuries. View the processes involved with mining coal and iron ore. See the techniques used for tinplating and quarrying. Learn how machinery and techniques evolved over the years. Demonstrations take the visitor from foundry to finished product.
Places to Stay and Dining
Burry Port offers hotels and inns featuring en suite rooms and some contain small kitchens. Certain facilities offer a choice of meals, included with room packages. Enjoy seafront views with spectacular sunsets and the opportunity of being close to the beach.
Visitors travelling to Burry Port must indulge in at least one meal of traditional fish and chips. At Laurian’s Fish and Chips restaurant, guests enjoy the national food, perfectly prepared with a crispy exterior and a light, tender interior, without unnecessary greasiness. Select from various seafood options, caught fresh daily.
Accommodation in Burry Port
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