Swansea/Gower

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The beautiful Gower Peninsula [1] is the United Kingdom's first designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Located in Swansea, South Wales, the peninsular is famous for its stunning coastal scenery, wide sandy beaches and medieval castles.

[edit] Understand

Oxwich Bay, South Gower, Swansea

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 Pontardulais and Mawr. On the peninsular 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 Peninsular is about 29km long by 8km 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 peninsular 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 Pontardulais are sparsely populated areas of Swansea's hinterland and offer wonderful opportunities for hillside walking and river-side recreation activities.

[edit] History

Historically, Gower convered 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 penisular 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".

[edit] Get in

• Gower Explorer buses departing from Swansea's Quadrant Bus Station cover the entire peninsular. Official route map: Pdf

[edit] Get around

[edit] By bus

Most of the villages and popular bays are connected by public transport.

[edit] On foot

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

[edit] See

[edit] Villages

Three Cliffs Bay, South Gower, Swansea

Due to strict zoning laws, the rural areas of Swansea have not succumbed to urban sprawl. However, there are a few traditional villages in the area:

• Oxwich - nestled in the curve of Oxwich Bay and with its thatched rooved 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.
• Rhossili - located on a ridge offering spectacular views over Rhossili Bay and Worms Head - the village boasts a pub, cafe, shop and great National Trust gift shop.
• Port Eynon - a quaint village clustered around the sandy beach of Port Eynon Bay. There are a few shops and B&Bs, a pub and youth hostel.
• Llangennith - 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.
• Llanmadoc and Cheriton - two adjoining villages on north Gower - some lovely stone houses, a few B&Bs and a pub.
• Llanrhidian - a hill-side village running down to the marshes of the Loughor Estuary - some lovely stone houses and a pub.

[edit] Places of natural beauty

Worm's Head, Rhossili, Swansea

• Rhossili Bay and Worm's Head. Famous for is 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 handgliding and surfing; historians may also be interested to note that there is evidence of a stone-age settlement here.
• Three Cliffs Bay. A great place to take a stroll through 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 make it unsuitable for swimming. The beach is entered from a path across from Shepard's village store and cafe.
• 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 Travel Magazine in 2007 [2].

[edit] Castles and other antiquities

• (King) Arthur's Stone [3] on Cefn Bryn, Gower is a neolithic burial chamber or cromlech dating from 2500BCE. The name is derived from a legend that the stone was thrown onto Cefn Bryn by the mythical King Arthur.
• Landimor Castle [4]. Minor ruins
• Loughor Castle [5]. Located on north Gower - minor ruins
• Oxwich Castle [6]. A fortified Tudor mansion in south Gower
• Pennard Castle. [7]. Ruins offering spectacular views over Three Cliffs Bay.
• Weobley Castle [8]. Located in north Gower, this is one of Swansea's best preserved castles and offers commanding views over the Loughor Estuary to Carmarthenshire. There is an admission charge.

[edit] Museums

• Gower Heritage Centre [9], Parkmill, Gower, Swansea. Tel:+44 1792 371-206 - a rural life museum based around a working water mill - gift shop and cafe on site.

[edit] Do

Rhossili Bay, Gower, Swansea

[edit] Surfing

• Welsh Surfing Federation Surf School, The Barn, The Croft, Llangennith. Tel:+44 1792 386-526 [10]
• Progress Surf Academy Tel:+44 1792 361-379. [11]. Surfing lessons at Llangennith and Caswell beaches seven days a week for ten months of the year.

[edit] Out door activities

• Pony Trekking at Parc-le-Breos House, Penmaen. Tel:+44 1792 371-636 [12]
• Rhossili and Borfa Activity Centres, Middleton, Rhossili. Tel:+44 1792 401-548 - offers domitory accommodation in Port Eynon and training in the following activities: abseiling, caving, climbing, coasteering, cycling and mountain-biking, kayaking and trekking.

[edit] Art

• Barn Studios, Cheriton. Tel:+44 1792 386-678. E-mail:barnstudios@btopenworld [13]. A converted farm located in north Gower offering residential and day courses in pottery and painting.

[edit] Events

• Gower Festival, [14] 14-28 July 2007. Classical and folk music, recitals, dance and jazz performed at the historic churches that dot the peninsular.

[edit] Buy

• The excellent National Trust store [15] in Rhossili has a good selection of handicrafts and gifts, many with local flavor.

[edit] Eat

• King Arthur's Hotel, Reynolston. Tel:+44 1792 390-775 [16]. Great lunches/dinners in a wonderful traditional country hotel.
• The Gower Inn, Parkmill - a lovely old inn serving traditional pub food as well as some more innovated dishes.
• Britannia Inn, Llanmadoc. Tel:+44 1792 386-624. E-mail: enquiries@britanniainngower.co.uk. [17]. A lovely traditional inn near the North Gower Coast, specializing in wholesome meals made with local produce.

[edit] Drink

[edit] Cafes

• Shepard's Village Store in Parkmill has an attached conservatory style cafe - good coffee and food.
• Compass on the main Rhossili road at Reynolston. Tel:+44 1792 391-145. While the cafe itself lacks charm, the food and coffee are good and the service quick and friendly - hearty breakfasts are a speciality.
• The Bay near the entrance to the parking lot at Rhosilli offers great views over Rhossli Bay from the lounge and garden - good food and coffee.

[edit] Sleep

[edit] Camping

• Bank Farm Leisure Park, Horton. Tel:+44 1792 390-228. E-mail:bankfarmleisure@aol.com [18]. Ocean views, within walking distance of beach.
• Beach Walk Parc, Oxwich Bay. Tel:+44 1792 390-337. E-mail:enquiries@beachwalkparc.co.uk [19] Quiet campsite near beach.
• Llagadranta Farm, Llanmadoc. Tel:+44 1792 386-202.
• Nicholaston Farm Caravan & Camping, Nicholaston Farm, Penmaen. Tel:+44 1792 371-209 [20]. Located at the center of the peninsular - sea views.
• Pitton Cross Caravan & Camping Park, Pitton Cross, Rhossili. Tel:+44 1792 390-593. E-mail:enquiries@pittoncross.co.uk [21]. Located near the village of Rhossili.

[edit] Youth Hostels

• Port Eynon Youth Hostel, Old Lifeboat House, Port Eynon. Tel:0870 770 5998. Fax no:+44 1792 391-623. Email:porteynon@yha.org.uk [22] - located next to sandy beach.
• Gower Bunkhouse, Borfa House, Port Eynon. Tel:+44 1792 401-548. Fax:+44 1792 403-750. E-mail: mary.devoy@swansea.gov.uk [23] - located near beach - pre-booked groups only. Open: Fri-Sat nights and school vacation times.
• Rhossili Bunkhouse, Rhossili Activity Centre, Middleton, Rhossili. Tel:+44 1792 401-548 Fax: +44 1792 403-750. E-mail: mary.devoy@swansea.gov.uk [24] - located in rural setting - pre-booked groups only. Open: Fri-Sat nights and school vacation times.

[edit] Budget

[edit] Mid range

• Stembridge Mill, Stembridge Mill. Tel:+44 1792 391-640 [25]. A country-house hotel.
• Culver House, Port Eynon. Tel:+44 1792 390-755. E-mail: stay@culverhousehotel.co.uk [26]. A twelve room guest house located right at the edge of the dunes.
• Parc-le-Breos House, Penmaen. Tel:+44 1792 371-636 [27]. A converted 19th century farm house in own grounds.
• Oxwich Bay Hotel, Oxwich. Tel:+44 1792 390-329. E-mail:info@oxwichbayhotel.co.uk [28]. A modern hotel in a fantastic location, but with rather shabby decor and facilities.
• Britannia Inn, Llanmadoc. Tel:+44 1792 386-624. E-mail: enquiries@britanniainngower.co.uk. [29]. A lovely traditional inn near the North Gower Coast. The inn mostly functions as a pub-cum-restaurant, but it also has a few cozy and pleasantly furnished rooms. A wonderful place to relax and enjoy country hospitality.

[edit] Splurge

• Fairyhill, Fairyhill. Tel:+44 1792 390-139 [30]. A converted country mansion in own grounds. Need car/taxi. Great for walks and contemplation.

[edit] 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.

[edit] Contact

The area dialling code for Gower is the same as Swansea - 01792. From overseas, dial +44 1792 XXX-XXX

WikiPedia:Gower_Peninsular