In May 2025 when I drove down to Cilgerran on the Teifi for a short break, I made a pilgrimage to Cenarth, a place I had not been since I was 10. My father took me on a tour of south Wales, and without warning me, we stopped at Cenarth and we walked through the door of the National Coracle Centre, at that time fairly new.
I can still remember the incredible feeling of excitement 32 years later. An Aladin’s cave of fascination, which sparked a life-long obsession. I was delighted to feel the same on my second visit, and to have been welcomed so warmly by Martin Fowler. Watching him in action explaining coracles to visitors of mixed ages was a treat too. This really is a treasure of an institution, wherein much important heritage is stored. Nowhere else in the world can you walk around a room and see examples of so many different coracles, and speak to a man so knowledgeable about them.
I would urge all members to make a point of visiting, both to support the Centre, and also, as my father did, to plant obsessions in young heads that will fill their lives with enjoyment and hopefully carry the coracle into the future. Keep up the good work Martin.
The National Coracle Centre is located in the village of Cenarth in rural South Wales. If you would like to visit, we strongly recommend you contact Martin Fowler in advance. For contact details and more information about the National Coracle Centre, visit their Facebook page