St Clears, pop. 2,995 (2011 census, squats either side of the A40 as it wizzes westwards to Fishguard. North of this busy road is upper St Clears with its Cats Trust Charity Shop and Kebab and Piazza shop.
Lower St Clears, on the other side of the A40 boasts the Priory Church of St Mary Magdalene c.1100 boasting the best surviving Norman stone carving in Carmarthenshire.
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Priory Church of St Mary Magdalene |
The A40 was built by the Romans. Later, as Norman forces made their way west they stopped and built a motte and bailey castle which at 12 meters high is one of the tallest in Wales. It was attacked by the locals in 1153, 1189 and 1215. Owain Glyndwr.
RIVER TOWN TRADE
The river Taf with its stone quays still visible brought trade up the river. Lime for the kilns, materials for brick and tile making. There was shipbuilding. The Sophia Well (130 tonnes) was built there in 1839. She plied her trade as far as Malta, Constantinople St Petersburg and Quebec.
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Once a great trading river |
There was a regular boat service from St Clears to Bristol.
The railway arrived in 1854 and the port of St Clears fell into a decline. Although there is room for pleasure craft at high tide – witness St Clears Sailing Club.
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Pleasure craft still popular |
In 1964 the railway station closed.
MORE RECENTLY
Reopening the station has been an on-off campaign since 1973. In fact building work to put platforms in place this year with an operational date of 2024. Detail here.
This year has also seen the opening of a 24 hr McDonalds and a Greggs both conveniently located by the main road and the Travelodge.
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Off street parking |
St Clears detail here
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Thank you very much for your comments - Tim