Exploring the Gower Peninsula
Travelling westbound along the M4 it’s easy to keep going past Swansea, as we have done numerous times, but in doing so you forget that some of the UK’s finest stretches of coast are contained within the small pocket of land that juts out into the water past Swansea Bay.
The beauty of the Gower, whilst new to us, has long been known and widely recognised, so much so that it was the first designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty in the UK, an accolade it has held for over fifty years now. Once through Swansea a winding coastal road leads you to the Gower and a little corner of Welsh heaven, where there’s enough history, myth, adventure and beaches to fill countless days.
Our favourite five things to do…
Oxwich Beach: it’s easy to see why Oxwich Beach has twice been recognised as the UK Beach of the Year, with its long sweep of golden sand, rolling dunes, seemingly endless rock pools and beautiful views back along the coast to Three Cliffs Bay. When the tide is out the beach stretches for over two miles, and makes for a wonderful adventure for adults, kids and dogs alike. This is also when the best rock pools are revealed, providing hours of entertainment searching for all manner of sea-life. During quieter times you can park your motorhome right at the edge of the beach, where there is also an excellent little cafe in the days and a first-class restaurant, the Beach House, in the evenings.
Pennard Castle: most of those who find themselves walking alongside Pennard Pill do so to reach Three Cliffs Bay, and with good reason given its beauty. However, perched atop the headland, looking back down towards the bay itself is Pennard Castle, or at least the well preserved ruins of what was once the castle. It’s a bit of a scramble up one of the sand dunes to get there, unless you start out from the golf club in Pennard itself, but is well worth it to clamber over the ruins and enjoy spectacular views across the bay and the iconic Three Cliffs.
Worm’s Head: perhaps the most iconic, and definitely most striking, feature of the peninsula is the rocky promontory that snakes its way out into the water from Rhossili Bay. If you time the tide right this makes for a wonderful walk out to the head of the ‘sea serpent’ itself, but don’t get caught out by setting off too late. If all else fails you can settle for an equally beautiful walk along the golden sands of Rhossili beach which stretches along the coast for almost five kilometres. The beach also makes for the perfect place on the peninsula to sit and watch the sun go down.
Culver Hole: a little way off the main coastal path leading from Port Eynon to Overton is this well hidden, yet fantastic sea cave. Local legend has it that one-time local smuggling kingpin John Lucas used this immense cave as a storehouse, which is hardly surprising given how well hidden it is. Nestled in a gnarled rocky cleft and covered by a vast 60ft honeycombed wall you would never know it was there unless told about it. Given our collective love of the Famous Five books there was much excitement as we entered the cave and conjured up our own stories and possibilities for where the cave might lead, with the myth that there’s a hidden tunnel leading back to the Salthouse in Port Eynon, further fuelling our imaginations.
Water Sports: it’s hardly surprising given the amount of coastline that the region is ideal for all manner of water sports, be it a simple dip in the sea with the children through to adrenaline-fuelled boat trips, and everything else in between. Our personal favourite is heading around the coast in kayaks, with the chance to see seals and, if you’re lucky, dolphins, although Harrison and Dorothy often prefer splashing in rock pools looking for crabs and star fish.
