Burry Port (dead link: March 2023) (Welsh: Porth Tywyn) is a town in Carmarthenshire in South Wales, 5 miles to the west of Llanelli.
It is a harbour town and is famous for being the landing site of Amelia Earheart in her successful attempt at being the first woman to cross the Atlantic Ocean.
Understand
Historically, Burry Port was founded upon its ability to ship coal from the Gwendraeth mines out by sea. As the coal mines shut, the harbour was renovated and is now a marina for small leisure craft. The focal point of the harbour is the lighthouse, which was built in 1842 and is different from any other British lighthouse.
Get in
Regular trains and buses in both directions from Llanelli and Carmarthen.
Get around
By bike, or by foot
See
- Burry Port Lighthouse, 51.677485°, -4.251165°. Built in the 1830s, restored 1996
- The harbour.
- The beach - Bay bach (Little Bay). a small beach off the beaten path
Do
- Ashburnham Golf Course, Cliff Terrace (in the west of Burry Port), 51.682641°, -4.264008°, +44 1554 832269. championship standard
- Cefn Sidan beach, Pembrey Country Park, 51.7024°, -4.3746°. Blue Flag beach
- Pembrey Country Park, 51.681843°, -4.294975°. Contains a training slope and a 120m main slope. There is a visitor centre which hires out and sells skiing equipment and skiing lessons are provided. Also riding centre, adventure play areas and mountain bike trails 2015-03-02
- Pembrey Airport, 51.707619°, -4.315099°, +44 1554 891534. Local leisure flights and chartered flights to UK and Europe.
- Pembrey Circuit, Cefn Sidan, 51.711841°, -4.30042°, +44 1554 891042. a racing circuit that is deemed to be the home of Welsh motorsport. Has held the British Touring Car Championship twice and has been popular with F1 testing. Sometimes has monster truck rallies and other events. Several car, motorbike and truck racing events are held every year at the circuit. A driving school operates on a number of dates during the summer.
- Cycle. along the Millennium Coastal Path, a car free cycle path running from Llanelli to Kidwelly
- Fish. either off the many great places on the coast or off a boat
- Get Drunk. the favourite pastime of the locals, there are many pubs and restaurants locally
- Walking. The local area is fantastic for walking and is suitable for those that enjoy a quick stroll through to those looking for a more energetic ramble. The leisure park is runs alongside a purpose built cycle / foot path that runs from Loughor Bridge right through to Kidwelly. The path is traffic free and is generally flat. The nearby Country Park at Pembrey has many miles of forest pathways which make for a great hike.
- Boat Trips. Fishing & pleasure boat trips are available from Burry Port harbour.
- Land Yachting. The flat expanse of seven miles of sand make an ideal venue for land yachting and associated sports such as parakarts, land boarding and speed sailors. For safety and insurance purposes the use of the beach is restricted to members of the Carmarthenshire Land Sailing Club, but membership fees are very reasonable.
- Jet Skiing. Jet Skiing is a popular activity in the summer months in the Burry Inlet throughout the summer months. The slipways at Burry Port harbour provide easy access to the water and the waves breaking off the sandbanks provide a great opportunity for high speed thrills. Contact Phill at Shoreline reception for more information on local Jet Skiing.
Events
- Burry Port Carnival - Once a year Burry Port Carnvial is held. It features many different fair rides and activities for the kids and younger ones, and has live music and beer tents for the adults.
Buy
Eat
- Laurians Fish Bar, 26 Station Road, 51.684507°, -4.246968°, +44 1554 834670. an award winning fish bar, that is regularly voted as one of the top 100 chip shops in the UK. Try the battered rissoles- a South Welsh specialty.
Drink
You will never go thirsty in Burry Port as there is a pub on virtually every corner.
- Caulfields, 11 Station Road, 51.684586°, -4.245879°, +44 1554 832288. is probably the best pub in town, it has value-for-money food, lively atmosphere most days, good craic, and friendly bar staff.
- The Hope and Anchor, 12 Stepney Road, 51.684819°, -4.249071°, +44 1554 834144. nice meals and is lively on the weekends particularly. Very popular with the darts crowd, and sometimes has live music at weekends.
Sleep
- The Coasting Pilot Inn, 1 Bridge Street, 51.684567°, -4.247316°, +44 1554 833520.
- The Ashburnham Hotel, Ashburnham Road, Pembrey, 51.684789°, -4.265851°, +1 1554 834455. if you don't mind splurging a little bit, then this would be a great restaurant for you
- Shoreline Caravan Park, 51.680392°, -4.258429°, +44 1554 832657. A caravan park, with plenty of amenities located right on the coast.
- Pembrey Country Park Caravan Club Site, 51.675855°, -4.295926°, +44 1554 834369.
- Adeline Guest House, 5 Randall Square Pembrey, 51.687583°, -4.276569°, +44 1554 832407.
- Four Seasons Guest House, 62, Gwscwm Road, Pembrey, 51.688348°, -4.270776°, +44 1554 833367.
- Harbour House, The Harbour Burry Port, 51.680908°, -4.251959°, +44 1554 833414.
Connect
Go next
- Ffos Las Horse Race Course, Trimsaran near Kidwelly
- The beautiful Gower Peninsula is the United Kingdom's first designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Located in Swansea, the peninsular is famous for its stunning coastal scenery, wide sandy beaches and medieval castles. Llangennith, in particular, is very popular with surfers and is considered to be one of the best surf areas in the UK. A 40-50 minute drive from Burry Port.