New Quay

For generation after generation the sons of New Quay seem to have answered the call of the sea and sailed the oceans far and wide. New Quay has been both a busy ship-building centre and a thriving commercial port. Those days, however, were the days of sail and it is under canvass that New Quay remains as one of Wales' most popular sailing centres.

Whenever you contemplate visiting somewhere different, a piece of advice you may be given is, if unsure about where to go or what to do, try to find out what the local people normally do. As far as Wales is concerned, what you should know is that New Quay remains one of the favourite holiday destinations of thousands of people from Wales each year. For many families holidaying at New Quay will be a tradition stretching back for generations.

As you take a boat trip out into Ceredigion's Bay, look out for dolphins, seals and other rare animals and birds that inhabit the Bay's sheltering waters.

Ceredigion Heritage Coast Paths lead from New Quay both to the south and north. There are wonderful opportunities for walking in the area and remember - even if it's a dull day on the coast - the high hills of Pumlumon, with dozens of forest and upland walks, are but half an hour's drive away.

The connections between Dylan Marlais Thomas and Ceredigion were substantial. He lived and wrote in several locations in Ceredigion, especially New Quay where, amongst other works, he composed "Quite Early one Morning".

Dylan's connections with Ceredigion included relations living in New Quay and, of course, 'the towering dead', his great uncle, the Reverend William Thomas, Unitarian Minister at Llwyn Rhydowen during the infamous eviction from the chapel in 1876. Dylan obtained his middle name from his uncle's bardic name: "Gwilym Marlais (Marles)"

There are Dylan Thomas trails you can follow around New Quay and other areas of Ceredigion connected with Wales's most famous English language poet.