The Black Horse, Pontarddulais

The Black Horse is located on the Carmarthenshire side of the river Lougher and has been known as the Black Lion, Black Horse Inn and Old Black Horse.  Name of pub derives from the coaching era.  Original pub was located on the present car park and became a popular coaching inn from the mid 18^th century onwards. 

The Black Horse became well known throughout the country and notable guests during the 1930s were the financier J. Biddulph Junior and the Civil Engineer Stephen Ballard.

Gatekeeper Sarah Williams was shot at the Hendy Gate during the Rebecca Riots on September 9^th 1843 and her body was taken to the Black Horse for a post mortem which was later recorded in the Carmarthen Antiquary:  ‘Marks of shots were seen penetrating the nipple of the left breast, one in the arm pit of the same side, several on both arms, one on the left side of the wind pipe, three in the forehead, one on the external angle of the eye...’

Disaster befell the Black Horse on the 31^st of August 1860 as reported by the Cambrian newspaper:  ‘On Friday night last, a large portion of the old inn and posting house, known to travellers by the name of the Black Horse fell, leaving only a few naked walls standing.  The late heavy rains must have worked under the foundation, and caused the unexpected fall’