From
our 2003 newsletter….. From
our 2003 newsletter…..
Old photographs of Llansteffan show streets thronged with holiday makers. Families from the mining communities in South Wales and the Midlands took the train to Ferryside and then the ferry over the estuary to Llansteffan. Most houses rented rooms to the summer visitors. There were choirs and poetry competitions in the wood below the castle; fresh bread baked daily by the two sisters in The Old Bakery; butter, cream, eggs and bacon on sale from local farmers. Today visitors reminisce about the tantalising smell of new bread wafting out from The Old Bakery, how campers dried wet clothes in the heat from the bake oven. Not so long ago, fishing boats moored in front of the houses on the green and old ladies sat in a row mending the nets.
After World War 2 the mining communities were broken up. The community based lifestyle was swept away. Llansteffan became quiet, a Carmarthenshire secret. However, some families continued to spend holidays here. Webster Rogers made a pilgrimage from the USA to visit his mother’s birthplace. This is the beginning of a poem he wrote about his trip.Marion Newman writes: ‘Webster’s great grandfather, David James, born in 1751, was my great, great, great, great grandfather. Every summer, I and my family of three generations spend a week at our ancestor’s seaside village … and have been doing so for almost 100 years.’
Artists, poets and writers, inspired by the glittering expanse of Carmarthen Bay, have often settled here. Now, with the internet, Llansteffan is opening up its houses once again to discerning holiday visitors: to those who love coming here, and to newcomers, from all over the world.
Extracts from the visitors’ book 2002…..
"We span 3 generations and we have thoroughly enjoyed the delights of Llansteffan - beach and sea, the walks and views, the castle and (I’m told not to forget) the swings."
"It’s lovely to just walk out of the door and onto the beach."
"How rare it is to find such a tranquil, unspoilt area."
"A delightful holiday home with little touches that make all the difference."
"Unanimous verdict of the family is that we come again (and again)!"
"Nous garderons un tres bon souvenir du Pays de Galles. Ann, merci beaucoup pour votre accuiel!""
"Day one was mostly spent on the glorious beaches which are close by (across the road!) -children loved collecting shells and paddling - weather very good - BBQ at The Old Bakery at night - excellent. (Forgot to mention gold panning at Dolaucothi gold mines.)"
"Very welcoming apartment with nice touches - maps, fruit, flowers and Welsh cakes. Spotlessly clean."
"The cottage is lovely and has almost everything you could think of. The views are wonderful and you can’t help but relax here."
"We’ve had a great two weeks stay. Lovely, homely flat - a real home from home."
"We enjoyed looking at all the books and pictures. Thanks for the flowers and fruit."
"Our three boys made use of the beaches, but the highlight for them was having bonfires on the beach in the evening. If you are here in late summer/early autumn there are masses of blackberries on the coast path between St Anthony’s Well and Wharley Point."
"I found the beach the best because we could build sand-castles. I also like the walk from the shop down the road. The toboggan run at Pembrey is really cool."