New Quay, Wales Coast Path

New Quay is a small seaside resort nestled between lush green rolling hills in a sheltered part of Cardigan Bay. The town boasts several long sandy beaches and a natural harbour. It was once home to a thriving fishing fleet. Sometime in the early 1800s, shipbuilding became a new industry, constructing schooners sailing the coastline and larger vessels crossing the ocean. The port operations expanded, providing logistical services for cargo movement, further bolstering the local economy. The town grew with terraced houses springing up along the bay's slopes.

Like many coastal towns during the age of piracy, New Quay was notorious for its smugglers. Ships filled with contraband would moor off the coast, and at night, small boats would row to collect the illegal cargo. Renowned pirates like Bartholomew Roberts (aka Black Bart/Barti Ddu), Henry Morgan and John Evans hailed from Wales. Roberts was perhaps the most successful during the Golden Age of Piracy, capturing over 470 prize ships in a career that spanned only three years. He also created his own pirate code and was among the first to use a Skull and Crossbones flag variant. He died in battle, effectively marking the end of the Golden Age of Piracy.

Henry Morgan was both a pirate and a privateer. The British Crown hired him during the 1600s to take on the Spanish in times of war. Arrested and later acquitted, Morgan was knighted and became Governor of Jamaica, where he spent the rest of his life.  

John Evans was a seaman working out of Jamaica. He turned to piracy when he lost his job and had no further prospects. Evans started by raiding wealthy Jamaican houses and then shifted his focus to capture Spanish galleons. Despite his successful plundering career, it was short-lived due to a fatal gunshot wound sustained in a duel.

However, in modern times, New Quay is closely associated with Welsh poet Dylan Thomas. His most famous work is a play called "Under Milk Wood", largely drafted while he lived in town toward the end of World War Two. Thomas was often characterised as a tormented and troubled writer. Those who knew him expressed that his time in New Quay was his most productive period, where he found inspiration in the local surroundings and the community. 

To quench his thirst, Thomas preferred the Black Lion pub in town, as noted by the sign outside the building saying it was his "favourite watering hole". This is likely true since he referenced the pub in some of his works. I thought it was an ideal place to stop for lunch and refreshments while enjoying the views across the bay.