Gower Peninsula

The beautiful Gower Peninsula (Welsh: Penrhyn Gลตyr) was the United Kingdom's first designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Located in Swansea, the peninsula is famous for its stunning coastal scenery, wide sandy beaches and medieval castles.

Understand

This article covers the rural areas of Swansea. It has been given the title 'Gower' as the Gower Peninsula constitutes the largest portion of Swansea's rural area and is the district of most interest to tourists. However, the article also includes the highland areas of Pontarddulais and Mawr. On the peninsula itself, the article covers all points west of Bishopston, Pwll Du Bay, Fairwood Common and Upper Killay. Detailed information of the urban area east of this line is documented in the Swansea article.

The Gower Peninsula is about 29 km long by 8 km wide and, in many ways, represents a microcosm of the very best of British countryside. There are wide sandy beaches, dramatic cliffs, historic woodlands, salt marshes and open moors, all of which are interspersed with picturesque villages, country inns, castles, ancient churches and neolithic burial chambers. It is a land immersed in the mists of Celtic legends and secrets of smugglers tales. The peninsula is also home to an abundance of wildlife, with perhaps the wild Gower ponies that roam the moors being the most famous and well-loved. For recreation, Oxwich is the most popular bay for swimming and boating, while Llangennith is a surfers paradise and attracts boarders from all over the UK. Rhossili is a dramatic bay, and the sunset over the headland is one of the most photographed evening scenes in Europe.

The districts of Mawr and Pontarddulais are sparsely populated areas of Swansea's hinterland and offer wonderful opportunities for hillside walking and river-side recreation activities.

History

Historically, Gower covered an area of land under the jurisdiction of the Lords of Gower. It extended as far east as the River Tawe, and so it included what is now Swansea City Centre. This area corresponds very closely to the modern boundaries of the City and County of Swansea. However, nowadays "Gower" would be mostly understood to referring to the peninsula only.

The Gower "Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty" (AONB) is an invention of post Second World War planning laws covering England and Wales, and represents a level of protection one step lower than offered by that of a "National Park".

Get in
  • The Gower Peninsula is located in South Wales (Map of Gower) a 10-minute drive from the city of Swansea.
  • Gower Explorer buses departing from Swansea's Quadrant Bus Station cover the entire peninsula. Traveline information.

Get around

By bus

Most of the villages and popular bays are connected by public transport. The Gower peninsula is served by the Gower Explorer branded bus services from the Quadrant Bus Station in Swansea city centre. The Lliw uplands to the north of the county of Swansea are served by Lliw Link branded bus services from the Quadrant Bus Station. (The Quadrant bus station is a good 10- to 15-minute walk from Swansea railway station, but there are frequent buses to the Quadrant Bus Station from the bus stop outside the railway station.)

On foot

There are some very well-established hiking routes on the Gower. The tourist office in Swansea city center offers good information.

Villages
  • ๐ŸŒ Llangennith (Llangenydd) โ€“ a quintessential British coastal village with hens clucking around the village green, a stone church, a traditional pub and sheep strolling down the road towards a magnificent surfing beach; several B&Bs. Very popular with surfers in the summer, and has a large camping area for families and youngsters alike.
  • ๐ŸŒ Llanmadoc and ๐ŸŒ Cheriton โ€“ two adjoining villages on north Gower โ€“ some lovely stone houses, a few B&Bs and a pub.
  • ๐ŸŒ Llanrhidian โ€“ a hillside village running down to the marshes of the Loughor Estuary - some lovely stone houses and a pub.
  • ๐ŸŒ Oxwich โ€“ nestled in the curve of Oxwich Bay and with its thatched roofed cottages and castle, Oxwich is perhaps the Gower's most picturesque village. The village has a wonderful Saxon church, a couple of shops and a hotel.
  • ๐ŸŒ Port Eynon โ€“ a quaint village clustered around the sandy beach of Port Eynon Bay. There are a few shops and B&Bs, a pub and a youth hostel.
  • ๐ŸŒ Reynoldston โ€“ an inland village surrounded by wild moorland with a good pub and accommodation.
  • ๐ŸŒ Rhossili โ€“ on a ridge offering spectacular views over Rhossili Bay and Worms Head - the village boasts a pub, cafรฉ, shop and great National Trust gift shop.

See

Places of natural beauty
  • ๐ŸŒ Rhossili Bay and ๐ŸŒ Worm's Head. Famous for its breathtaking view at sunset, and the vista is widely considered to be one of Europe's most spectacular coastal scenes. An excellent National Trust gift shop marks the beginning of the cliff-top path, while the picturesque village of Rhossili provides an ideal setting for enjoying cream teas in the summer or for relaxing and taking a contemplative stroll at any time of the year. In addition, the conditions at Rhossili are excellent for hand-gliding and surfing; historians may also be interested to note that there is evidence of a stone-age settlement here. Visitors may also note a distinct lack of trees. The last real tree was at Ash Tree Farm, though this disappeared sometime during the early 1970s. The fierce westerly gales and trees are not a good match. The nearest trees to Rhossili are Middleton, the village just prior to Rhossili.
  • ๐ŸŒ Three Cliffs Bay. A great place to take a stroll through the woods and watch the wild ponies galloping on the beach. The ruins of Pennard Castle guard the area from a hill to the left (when facing the sea). Note, however, that the strong undercurrent at this bay makes it unsuitable for swimming. The beach is entered from a path across from Shepard's village store and cafe. 
  • ๐ŸŒ Oxwich Bay. Overlooked by Penrice Castle, the pristine waters of the bay are surrounded by extensive dunes and woodlands and protected by a small Saxon church on the headland. Oxwich was named the most beautiful beach in the UK and one of the most beautiful in the world by The Travel Magazine in 2007. 
  • ๐ŸŒ Caswell Bay. The sandy beach is popular with families, holidaymakers and surfers. Has Blue Flag status. 
  • ๐ŸŒ Langland Bay. A beach on the south Gower costed distinctive for the beach huts behind the sandy beach. 
  • ๐ŸŒ Blue Pool Bay. A small bay with a natural rock pool, near the village of Llangennith. (updated May 2024)

Castles and other antiquities

Museums
  • ๐ŸŒ Gower Heritage Centre, Old Coastguard Cottage, Rhossili, Parkmill, SA3 2EH, โ˜ +44 1792 371206. A rural life museum based around a working water mill. The museum also boasts one of the world's smallest cinemas - La Charrette - a 23-seat former railway carriage. There is also a gift shop and cafe on site. 

Do

Golf

Surfing

Outdoor activities
  • Pony Trekking, โ˜ +44 1792 371636. At Parc-le-Breos House, Penmaen. 
  • Rhossili and Borfa Activity Centres, Middleton, Rhossili, โ˜ +44 1792 401548. Offers dormitory accommodation in Port Eynon and training in the following activities: abseiling, caving, climbing, coasteering, cycling and mountain biking, kayaking and trekking. 
  • Mountain Boarding, At brd Mountain Boarding Centre, Weobley Castle, Llanrhidian, Swansea, SA3 1HB, โ˜ +44 7856 152540. Offers lessons for beginners and improvers. Discounts are available for group bookings. The boarding centre is open for prior bookings only. 
  • Ripnrock, โ˜ +44 7815 784122, . All day - every day. Outdoor activities on the Gower Peninsula. Coasteering, rock climbing, gorge walking, surfing, team building, canyoning and abseiling. Activities for all groups and all ages. From ยฃ25pp. 

Events
  • Gower Folk Festival. Live performances and workshops at Weobley Castle. Camping facilities are available on-site. Ticket sales are limited (350 โ€“ 400). Second weekend in June: 8โ€“10 June 2018. 
  • Gower Festival. Classical and folk music, recitals, dance and jazz performed at the historic churches that dot the peninsula. Early July. 
  • Swansea Bike Ride. Wales's biggest bike ride organised by the British Heart Foundation. 12-mile, 28-mile or 46-mile routes through the Gower Peninsula to fight against heart disease. Mid-July. 
  • Love Trails Festival. Annual running, adventure and music festival. (updated Feb 2024)

Walks
  • Lliw Reservoirs, near the village of Felindre. These small reservoirs are surrounded by recreational footpaths.
  • Oxwich Bay, a picturesque four-and-a-half hour walk as recommended in Times Walks

Driving

A less well-known destination in Swansea is the Lliw Uplands which contains some of the best mountain scenery in Wales:

  • City Centre - Llangyfelach - Felindre - Garnswllt - Ammanford

From the city centre, head towards the road junction at Dyfatty lights. Take the second left turning onto Llangyfelach Road (B4489) which will take you to the M4 Motorway (Junction 46). Head straight across the roundabouts on Junction 46. This will take you into the rural area of the Lliw Uplands. From here, much of the road consists of a narrow country lane. Follow this lane through the village of Felindre then on over Mynydd-y-Bettws with stunning views of the Lliw Lalley. The road takes you past Penlle'r Castell - the highest point in Swansea. It then descends into the farming village of Garnswllt and continues to Ammanford.

Buy
  • Fruit and vegetables from the peninsula's arable farms.
  • National Trust store, Rhossili. It has a good selection of handicrafts and gifts, many with local flavour. (updated Nov 2016)
  • Local Produce. Gower Wildflower and Local Produce Centre, Blackhills Lane, Fairwood Common, opposite Swansea Airport. Sells an assortment of produce from local farms such as Gower wild flowers and Gower salt-marsh lamb. 
  • PJ's Surf Shop. Surfwear, boards and accessories to buy plus surf rental available. Located in the centre of Llangennith next to the church. 
  • Mumbles Local Produce Market, Oystermouth Square, Mumbles, in the car park near the junction of Oystermouth Road and Newton Road. Held on the second Saturday of every month from 9am to 1pm.

Eat

Budget

Mid-range
  • King Arthur's Hotel, Reynolston, โ˜ +44 1792 390775. Great lunches/dinners in a wonderful traditional country hotel. 
  • The Gower Inn, Parkmill, โ˜ +44 1792 233116. A lovely old inn serving traditional pub food as well as some more innovative dishes. 
  • Britannia Inn, Llanmadoc, โ˜ +44 1792 386624, . A lovely traditional inn near the North Gower Coast, specializing in wholesome meals made with local produce. 
  • The King's Head, Llangennith. Good range of bar meals, including several decent vegetarian options. Good quality versions of typical pub food, e.g., curry, pies, lasagne. As the only pub in Llangennith, it is often quite busy with a good atmosphere. Friendly staff 
  • Rake And Riddle, Gowerton Road, Penclawdd, Swansea, SA4 3RB, โ˜ +44 1792 872886. 

Splurge

Drink

Coffee
  • Compass, โ˜ +44 1792 391145. Main Rhossili road at Reynolston. While the cafe lacks charm, the food and coffee are good and the service quick and friendly - hearty breakfasts are a specialty. 
  • Dandelion Cafe, 65 Southgate Rd, Southgate, Pennard. 9AM-4PM. Excellent coffee, including dandelion root coffee, healthy meals. Outdoor seating. Organizes book clubs and meditation meetings (updated Sep 2018)
  • The Bay Bistro and Coffee House (The Bay Bistro), Rossili, โ˜ +44 1792 390519. 9AM-5PM. Simple international cuisine. Excellent coffee, pastries. Stunning views over Rhossili Bay. . (updated Sep 2018)

Sleep

Camping

Youth hostels
  • ๐ŸŒ Rhossili Bunkhouse, Middleton, Rhossili, SA3 1PL (on the B4247 in Middleton in the village of Rhossili, at the south-west corner of the Gower Peninsula), โ˜ +44 1792 391509, . It's within easy walking distance of three beaches. It is great for groups of friends or families. Opened in 2007, the Bunkhouse is run by the Trustees of Rhossili Village Hall for the benefit of the community. Open: Feb-Dec. From ยฃ15 pppn. 
  • Port Eynon Youth Hostel, Old Lifeboat House, Port Eynon, โ˜ +44 845 371 9135, fax: +44 1792 391623. Former lifeboat station on sandy beach; self catering, but has a licensed lounge serving alcohol. Extra charge for parking (daytime) in high season. From ยฃ35 private room, ยฃ15 beds. 
  • Gower Bunkhouse, โ˜ +44 1792 401548, fax: +44 1792 403750, . Borfa House, Port Eynon. Pre-booked groups only. Open: F Sa nights and school vacation times. 

Holiday cottages

Mid-range

Talk

The people of South Gower are traditionally English speaking and cannot speak Welsh. However, North Gower and the district of Mawr has a high percentage of Welsh-speakers.

Connect

As of Aug 2022, there is 4G from all UK carriers down the main road A4118, but lots of dead areas along the coast. 5G has reached Swansea but has not extended down the peninsula.

Go next

Most routes take you back to Swansea, but you can head west by crossing the bridge towards Llanelli.


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