A Swansea park that inspired Dylan Thomas to write such poems as ‘The Hunchback in the Park’ has been refurbished at a cost of £1.4m in time for the 2014 centenary of the poet’s birth. 

The Dylan Thomas shelter has been upgraded, and a drinking fountain, paths, railings and engraved benches restored at Cwmdonkin Park, which is close to the poet's childhood home. A tea room recapturing the 1930s has also opened.

In ‘The Hunchback in the Park’ Thomas describes the “solitary mister …   eating bread from a newspaper / Drinking water from the chained cup / that the children filled with gravel / In the fountain basin where I sailed my ship” .

According to the official Dylan Thomas website, he was also referring to Cymdonkin Park in the poem ‘Should lanterns shine’:  “The ball I threw while playing in the park / Has not yet hit the ground.”  The yesteryear postcard view of the park comes from the website.

Nick Bradley, Swansea council's cabinet member for regeneration, said: "We know he drew inspiration from the park for some of his works. The park promises to be a centrepiece of activities to mark the centenary next year when the eyes of the literary world will be on Swansea Bay."

The park was officially reopened  last weekend with an all-day free event, including an Under Milk Wood performance from children at Dylan Thomas Community School, poetry workshops, tennis and magic shows.

The refurbishment was funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund, Swansea council, the Friends of Cwmdonkin Park and the Welsh government's sustainable tourism project backed by the European Regional Development Fund.