For fans of iconic actor Richard Burton, few places offer a deeper connection to the man behind the myth than the valleys and coastline of South Wales. Over three days, you can walk the same streets he roamed as a boy, step inside the buildings that sparked his love of theatre and language and explore the rugged beauty of the region he never truly left behind, no matter how far he travelled, or how big a star he became.
From the quiet charm of his childhood home Pontrhydyfen in the heart of the Afan Valley, to the industrial heartbeat of Port Talbot, and further west to the harbour town of Fishguard - where he starred alongside Elizabeth Taylor in Under Milk Wood - your 72-hour pilgrimage begins here.
Day 1 – Pontrhydyfen and Port Talbot
Richard Burton was born into a Welsh coal mining family and raised amid the close-knit communities of Pontrhydyfen and nearby Port Talbot, where he spent most of his formative years, and where several family members still reside today.
“I grew up among heroes who went down the pit, who played rugby, told stories, sang songs of war” - Richard Burton.
Burton and Elizabeth Taylor would make frequent trips home to Pontrhyhyfen, which Taylor dubbed ‘Pontrhyd-heaven’. On these trips, despite their mega stardom, they would stay at the Burton family’s terraced house and during these visits, Taylor insisted on doing the washing up and was taught Welsh by Burton’s sisters. She even returned to stay at the family home when Burton died in 1984, despite having been divorced for several years at the time of his death.
Morning:
Arrive at your South Wales accommodation for the next two nights and check in.
Head to Pontrhydyfen and experience the first of two dedicated Richard Burton Trails, which trace his formative years:
The Birthplace Trail (3 miles) winds through the picturesque village of Pontrhydyfen, offering views across the Afan Valley. Stops include Burton’s birthplace; Penhydd Street, where many of his family used to live; the imposing 1898 viaduct, and Bethel Chapel, where a memorial service was held upon his death in 1984.
Afternoon:
After spending time in Pontrhydyfen make your way down the valley to the coast and experience the:
- The Childhood Trail (1.5 miles) in Port Talbot, the industrial coastal town down the valley where Burton was born, highlights Burton’s teenage haunts, including the Taibach Community Education Centre, where he acted in local youth productions, and Taibach Library, where he indulged his love of books and literature. The trail concludes at Talbot Memorial Park, home to a statue and a poem penned by Burton himself.
Stay:
Ivy Cottage, Margam Country Park
Swansea Valley Holiday Cottages
Eat:
Find out more about where to eat and drink in Neath Port Talbot.
Day 2 – Swansea and Aberavon
Due to Swansea’s close proximity to Port Talbot, along the same stretch of South Wales’ coastline, Burton will have spent much time in the city, including performing at Swansea Grand Theatre. The city’s waterfront university is now home to the official Richard Burton Archives.
The nearby grand sweep of Aberavon beach is also closely associated with Burton. When he and Taylor would return to Port Talbot, the couple would famously land their helicopters on the three-mile stretch of golden sands.
Morning:
After breakfast, experience a behind-the-scenes visit to the Richard Burton Archives at Swansea University’s waterfront Singleton Campus, which can be arranged by appointment. There, fans can uncover handwritten pages that reflect Burton’s introspection and passion for literature.
After your visit to the archives, make the short drive to the charming seaside village of Mumbles for lunch. Known as the gateway to Gower Peninsula, it is known for its historic Oystermouth Castle, Mumbles Pier, independent shops, restaurants, and the famous "Mumbles Mile" pubs.
Afternoon:
Drive back east to Aberavon beach and park up ahead of a long afternoon walk along the Wales Coast Path.
The Wales Coast Path offers 870 miles of unbroken, unspoilt coastal walking around the entirety of the Welsh coast. Wales is the only country in the world with a continuous, official waymarked path around its entire coastline.
With sands that seem to go on for ever and that shelve gently into the waters of Swansea Bay, Aberavon beach is epic in its magnitude. Choose to walk along the promenade, which has a smooth tarmac flat pathway, or walk along the sands where Burton and Taylor once landed their helicopters on visits home to Port Talbot.
Eat:
Find out more about where to eat and drink in Swansea and Mumbles.
Day 3 – Fishguard, Pembrokeshire
In 1971, Richard Burton returned to Wales to film Under Milk Wood, an adaptation of Dylan Thomas’s iconic work, in the coastal town of Fishguard. The production was a star-studded affair, reuniting Burton with Elizabeth Taylor and featuring his friend and actor Peter O’Toole, himself married to the Welsh actress, Siân Phillips. The town’s winding streets and harbour stood in for the fictional village of Llareggub, with locals cast as extras and the rugged beauty of Pembrokeshire providing a fitting backdrop to Thomas’s lyrical prose.
Morning:
Leave South Wales early and make the approximate 1.5 - 2-hour drive to Fishguard.
Arrive late morning and after a refreshment stop, explore lower Fishguard where Under Milk Wood was largely shot. The harbour and quay side were used for many of the exterior shots and the rows of historic cottages along the quayside feature in the film. The slipway and harbour walls are still very much intact and provide the same “look and feel” that you see in the movie.
Afternoon:
It’s time to explore the Wales Coast Path.
Choose from a number of walking routes in the area, dependent on the time you have available and your fitness levels. Here are a few options:
- Fishguard to Pwll Deri (9 miles/14.5km)
- Fishguard to Newport (12 miles/19.3km)
- Dinas Head Circular (8 miles/13km)
- Fishguard Fort Circular (2.8m/4.5km
Stay:
Eat:
Find out more about where to eat and drink in Fishguard.
After your three-day Burton pilgrimage is over, why not extend your trip and spend a little longer exploring the beauty of Pembrokeshire and the west coast?
Beyond Fishguard, the county offers breathtaking coastal walks along the Pembrokeshire Coast Path, golden beaches, and ancient landmarks like St Davids Cathedral, which dates back to the sixth century.
The perfect location for sea views, fresh seafood, and quiet moments to reflect on Burton’s legacy.
