There used to be quite a number of milestones on the most common routes across the country, showing distances for travellers. In the Llanddowror area these were especially on the road between Llanddowror to Tavernspite because this was was the Ireland Mail coach route taking the mail from London and Bristol to Milford Haven and then onto Ireland by boat. The road was administered by the Carmarthenshire Turnpike Trust.

As roads changed their routes, new roads were built and so some existing routes becameless used and were downgraded in some cases, the milestones became less well-used and many buried in the roadside undergrowth, became illegible as a result of weathering, were moved or disposed of if a road was being widened, or were simply forgotten about.

Similarly there used to be a number of boundary stones to mark out the edges of a parish boundary. Many of these have also disappeared in the same way.

1. Milestone on Llanddowror to Tavernspite road

Historical aspect:- 

The stone is located on the unclassified road from Llanddowror to Tavernspite and this road was the Ireland Mail coach route taking the mail from London and Bristol to Milford Haven and then onto Ireland by boat. 

Several miles from the milestone was the Tavernspite gatehouse, which still exists as a private dwelling and has the distinct shape that closely matches the gatehouse preserved in St Fagans Museum of Welsh Life. In 1798 the Tavernspite Roads bill was passed by Parliament for the repairs to roads running from the Village. The road on which the milestone was situated would have been one of these roads. The road was part of the Carmarthenshire main Turnpike Trust.

Historically this route had a milestone at every mile and several are still in situ along the road from Llandeilo to Carmarthen. Apparently at one time it was a legal requirement to have a milestone at every mile on a route carrying the mail.

This milestone was originally located at the entrance to Cildywyll Farm and was relocated after the completion of the St.Clears to Red Roses A477 bypass in 2014. The fact that this milestone survived whilst many didn't is due to the fact that it was located next to a farm entrance gate, tucked away and not too close to the roadside verge.

On the Ordnance Survey Six inch 1888 - 1913 map the milestone is shown as being defaced. This is only partially true as the towns listed are still clearly visible along with the distance to Llandeilo.

The milestone is probably made of granite and is at least 200 years old. Since the completion of the Llanddowror bypass in 2014 the milestone has been situated on an embankment overlooking the Llanddowror to Tavernspite unclassified road. A plaque was attached to the milestone that records the previous location and why it was relocated. A local resident has for may years been cutting around the milestone since then so that it does not get lost in the undergrowth and can be clearly seen from the road. The land that the milestone is situated on is owned by the Welsh Government

Directions to Milestone-

Turn off the A477 from Carmarthen for Llanddowror. At the village square in Llanddowror turn right onto the unclassified road to Tavernspite and follow the road for 1.8 miles and the milestone is situated on the left. There is room to park a car on the roadside verge by the milestone.

 

2. Boundary stone on the Llanddowror to Tavernspite road-

The road on which the boundary stone is located was a stagecoach route. The Ireland Mail coach would take the mail from London and Bristol to Milford Haven and then onto Ireland by boat. There is an extant Milestone pertaining to this route less than half a mile away from the boundary stone mentioned above. 

The Boundary Stone was erected pre-1850 and this Stone marks the existing Boundary between Eglwyscummin and Llanddowror parishes. The exact date it was erected is unknown. It is believed to be limestone. The left face reads:- Eglwyscymmyn Parish. The right face reads:- Landowror Parish.

A local resident has been cutting around this boundary stone for several years to ensure it is visible and not damaged by the Highway Authorities Hedge/Grass cutter that periodically cuts the roadside verge during the summer months.

This Stone is located on the road from Llanddowror to Tavernspite, on a stretch of the road known as Brandy Hill. It marks the existing parish boundary between Llanddowror parish and Eglwyscummin parish. It is located on the roadside verge between two field gates and is set into the end of a hedgerow that runs up to to the road and divides two fields. 

Whilst the stone is located outside of the two fields, the dividing hedgerow that the stone is set into the end of is located within them.

These two fields were historically part of Gellifelen Farm (which is located nearby). The farm was purchased by the Welsh Government back in the 2000's and part of the land was utilised by the St.Clears to Red Roses A477 bypass which was completed in 2014. The remainder of the farm was sold by auction in 2019.

Directions to Stone:- 

From Carmarthen turn off the A477 into Llanddowror village. At the village square turn right onto the unclassified road to Tavernspite. The stone is located on the right approximately 2.3 miles along this road on the ascent to the summit of Brandy Hill. The boundary stone is marked as 'BS' on many maps. There is a layby opposite the stone with space to park a car.

National Grid Reference:- SN 22060 13555   County:- Carmarthenshire    Parish:- Eglwyscummin/Llanddowror 

 

3. Boundary stone on Llanddowror to St Clears minor road

The boundary stone is located on the now defunct parish boundary line that existed between Llanddowror parish and Laugharne parish. This boundary line ceased to be around 1935 when the parish boundaries in Wales were altered. The stone is located on a minor road between Llanddowror Village and St.Clears that was the main stagecoach route to Pembrokeshire. The Ireland Mail coach from London and Bristol used this road taking the mail to Milford Haven then on by boat to Ireland. 

The people of Llanddowror have always referred to this road as the "Old Road". This refers to it being the road that was used prior to when the A477 road through the village was completed in the 1830's. There was also a tradition that school children in Llanddowror school were taken on a walk to this stone during the summer months as a break from the classroom activities. They would be walked up to the stone and then turn around and walk back to school. This tradition went on for many years with different generations of local children. 

There is a small stream which runs through a culvert under the road which was the actual boundary between the two parishes. In the early 1990's the culvert that runs under the road was replaced by the local Council's Highway Department. This involved digging up of the old culvert and extensive ground works. The road was closed for a few days when this happened. Due to this the stone was dug up and then put back in place a few feet from where it previously stood. 

It is believed that  the stone is limestone.  The left face of the stone reads:-  Landowror Parish.  The right face of the stone reads:-  Laugharne Parish. 

Background information:-

A local resident has been cutting around this stone since 1994 as a precaution to ensure it is not damaged by the Highway Authorities Hedge/Grass cutter when it cuts the roadside verges during the Summer months. The Stone is located on the roadside verge and ownership and care of said verge is held by Carmarthenshire County Council Highways Department. 

This stone marks a boundary line that ceased to exist and although it is now defunct as a Boundary marker it is nonetheless an important part of the heritage of Llanddowror village. It has certainly been in situ for over 170 years and was erected in a time when the only traffic that passed by it were stage coaches and those travelling by pony and trap. 

Directions to Stone:- 

Turn off from the A477 from Carmarthen into Llanddowror village and take the first turning left (by the old school) onto the unclassified road to St.Clears. Proceed up the hill past the old rectory and follow the road for 0.3 miles. The stone is located on the left on the roadside verge. There is space to park a car just before the stone on the right side of the road.  National Grid Reference:-  SN 26154 14734  County:- Carmarthenshire  Parish:- Llanddowror