May 2022 celebrates 10 years since the creation of the Wales Coastal Path which is 870 miles long and runs along the whole of the Welsh Coast starting in Chester and ending in Chepstow. The path also links to Glyndwr’s Way which goes across Wales and Offa’s Dyke in North Wales. There are 8 sections to the path and Welsh Sisters home is located exactly half way along the Wales Coastal Path in New Quay – so do stop and say hello if you are walking the Ceredigion stretch. You might need a livener!
South of us in New Quay is the Llangranog to New Quay section. A beautiful coastline boasting Ynys Lochtyn (an iron age fort) and the coves of Cwmtudu and Cwm Soden. Just before New Quay lies the iconic Birds Rock, Craig yr Adar, where Guillemots, Razorbills, Fulmars, Kittiwakes, Cormorants and Shags gather. There is also an old Coastguard’s lookout where one can take a breath to pause and watch for Dolphins.
As you descend into the town you can imagine walking in the footsteps of Dylan Thomas who based many of his characters of ‘Under Milk Wood’ and ‘Quite Early One Morning’ on the inhabitants of New Quay. During the later war years he and his family lived near the beach towards Llanina and Thomas walked into New Quay to write and meet friends at The Black Lion. As you walk through the town you may spot a statue of young girl who is blowing a kiss to the sea. This marks the halfway point of the coastal walk and it is a reminder of the many men and women who went to sea from this little town. As many as one in five men were Master Mariners until quite recently and some were legendary Cape Horners.
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If the tide is in you may well take the upper road and walk past our shop, Welsh Sisters at Manchester House, on your way to the beach and LLanina. It is rumoured that Manchester House was the draper’s shop in Under Milk Wood where Mog Edwards pined for his love Myfanwy Price who lived at the bottom of the village. You are more than welcome to drop in here and try some of our delicious gins.
To the north of New Quay the path winds towards Aberaeron along the beach, if the tide is out, but if the tide is in you can pass Dylan Thomas’ house named ‘Majoda’ and call in at LLanina Church. Llanina church is said to have been built in 6th century by the King of Wessex who wanted to show his gratitude when he was shipwrecked on the coast. Further along the path is the Gilfach yr Halen cove – a reminder of the salt smugglers in the 18th century – and Henfynyw, where a church was built on the site of an early monastery where St David was rumoured to have spent his childhood. On reaching Aberaeron and it’s harbour there are plenty of places to sit and enjoy the bustling town.
More details can be found on www.discoverceredigion.wales and www.walescoastpath.gov.uk
See you soon - Iechyd da!