Gower peninsula's bays, beaches and coves

Explore the Gower Peninsula

The Gower peninsula (Welsh: Gwyr or Penrhyn Gŵyr) projects westwards into the Bristol Channel and is bounded by the Loughor Estuary to the north and Swansea Bay to the east.

Gower was designated as the United Kingdom’s first area of outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) in 1956. This long-standing AONB status means that its splendid scenery has been protected from over development and commercialisation. The Gower Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) includes all of the peninsula west of Crofty, Three Crosses, Upper Killay, Blackpill, and Bishopston. These suburban communities on the edge of the AONB are part of the Swansea Urban Area. In the AONB the population resides mainly in small villages, hamlets, farms, and smallholdings.

The Gower peninsula’s interior consists mainly of farmland, common land, and wooded valleys; the southern coast consists of a series of small, rocky or sandy bays, such as Langland, Caswell, and Three Cliffs, and larger beaches such as Port Eynon and Oxwich Bay; the west coast is dominated by long expanses of sand found at Rhossilli bay, Broughton bay and Whitford sands; and the north coast estuary provides an extensive salt marsh and is home to the cockle-beds of Penclawdd.

The Gower peninsula is ideal for the classic British beach holiday as it provides a wide variety of beaches, bays and coves in a relatively short distance alomg the southern and western coastline.

Some of the popular beaches have life guard patrols and dog walking restrictions during the spring and summertime. The area is very popular with surfers and there are a number of surfing schools catering to all age groups and abilities.

5 miles to Llanmadoc from Hill House (14 minutes)

Park in field at Cwm Ivy (Honesty box)and walk down into the nature reserve.

Walk out to the lighthouse through the pine woods.

Also accessible via the footpath along the dyke close to the Britannia Inn or from Broughton Bay.

Bathing not recommended due to strong current.
Dogs allowed on beach all year

5 miles to Llanmadoc caravan park from Hill House (14 minutes)

Car parking at either the Llanmadoc or Broughton Caravan Sites.
Privately owned Car parks – Daily ticket

A large, remote and picturesque sandy bay near at the Western tip of Gower.

Beware of strong currents when bathing.
Dogs allowed on beach all year

6 miles to Broughton caravan park from Hill House (14 minutes)

Park your car at Broughton and walk through the dunes.

Privately owned Car park – Daily ticket.

Also accessible on foot from Llangennith beach at low tide.

Covered at high tide that fills a natural plunge pool formation in the rocks.

Dogs allowed on beach all year

Remote, secluded bay, covered at high tide.

Car Park in farm field at Pittonand walk down the valley.

Can also be reached by following the coastal path.

Enjoy sloping sea cliffs, un spoilt scenery and breathtaking views.
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Descent onto beach is moderately difficult with rough terrain.

8 miles from Hill House (14 minutes) Safe and sandy with rock pools to explore at low tide.Voted Britain’s best beach in 2011. Pay and display car park, refreshment and public toilet facilitiesPartial dog ban – 1st May to 30th SeptemberLifeguard May – SeptemberBlue Flag and Seaside Award

8 miles from Hill House (14 minutes by car)

Spacious and safe for family fun.

Car park
Refreshment and toilet facilities
Partial dog ban – 1st May to 30th September

Small secluded sandy.Access is by foot along the coastal path from Oxwich / Horton or through the fields from Slade village.

7 miles from Hill House (15 minutes) 2.5 mile long sandy beaches Popular spot for swimming and water sports including diving, sailing, water skiing and windsurfing. Facilities for launching boats and jet skies. Privately owned beach side car park – Daily ticketRefreshment and toilet facilitiesDogs allowed on beach all year.

Just under 4 miles form Hill House (9 minutes by car)

Smallsandy beach between Tor Bay and Oxwich.

Access is by foot along the costal path through the woods.

limited On / Off road parking at Nicholastone.

Penmaen is 4 miles form Hill House (10 minutes)

Tor Bay sheltered and sandy.

Limited off road parking at Penmaen.

Accessed by foot via the coastal path along the cliffs and sand dunes from Penmaen or along the sands, at low tide, from Three Cliffs or Crawley Woods.

4 miles to Penmaea & 5 miles to Parkmill from Hill House (10 & 12 minutes)

One of the most picturesque bays in Gower.

Voted Britain’s Best Beach by the BBC Holiday Squad in 2006.
Runner up in ITV’s Britain’s fauorute View.

A spectacular view of the Three Cliffs can be enjoyed from a view point overlooking the bay on the A4118 near the village of Penmaen.

Access is via footpaths through the sand dunes from Penmaen or through the woods from Parkmill.

Please note that bathing is not recommended due to strong currents.

7 miles form Hill House to Southgate (18 minutes)

A popular small sandy beach.

Only accessible by foot.

Take the coastal footpath from Southgate or along the sand, at low tide, from Three Cliffs Bay.

9 miles by car from Hill House to Bishopstone (20 minutes by car).

A large sandy secluded beach backed by a high bank of Pebbles.

Not accessible by Car.
Take the coastal or Bishopston valley footpath.

Owned by National Trust

A secluded sandy cove.

Only accessible via the coastal foot path.

Park your car at Caswell.
Walk along cliff top coastal path taking in the stunning scenery.
Access for dogs is affected by seasonal dog ban at Caswell Bay

10 miles from Hill House (23 minutes by car).

An extremely attractive bay popular with water-sports lovers and ideal for families.

Pay and Display beach side car parking.
Refreshment and public toilet facilities.
Lifeguard May – September.
Seasonal dog ban – 1st May to 30th September.

Blue Flag, Seaside Award and Marine Conservation Society Good Beach Guide.

11 miles from Hill House (26 minutes by car).

With it’s landmark beach huts this bay is extremely popular with families.

Pay and Display beach side car parking
Refreshment and public toilet facilities
Lifeguard May – September.
Public tennis courts.

Seasonal dog ban – 1st May to 30th September

Green Coast Award, Rurual Seaside Award andMarine Conservation Society Good Beach Guide

11 miles from Hill House (26 minutes by car).

A small sandy bay adjacent to the much larger Langland bay.

Refreshment facilities.
limited on road parking.
Toilet facilities at Langland.

13 miles (29 minutes) from Hill House

A small bay surrounded by cliffs with a pebble and sandy cove.

Access by steps.

Close to the facilities at Bracelet Bay.
Alongside the coastal footpath to Langland.
Dogs allowed on beach all year.

Green Coast Award, Rural Seaside Award and Marine Conservation Society Good Beach Guide.

13 miles.from Hill House. (29 minutes by car)

Sandy cove with pebbles and rock pools.

Offers a range of activities for all the family.

Close to coastal path to Langland.
Pay and Display beach side car parking.
Refreshment childrens playground and public toilet facilities.

Seasonal dog ban – 1st May to 30th September.
Blue Flag, Seaside Award and Marine Conservation Society Good Beach Guide.

Superb remote and secluded bay, covered at high tide.

Car Park at Rhossili and walk along coastal path or through lane and fields.

Steep cliff decent to beach over very difficult and rough terrain.

Ten miles from Hill house (22 minutes by car)

Access onto southern end of Rhossilli bay via several flights of steps

Privately owned car park (daily ticket) or park in church (Honesty box)

Consistently voted as Britain’s Best Beach and in Europe’s top three.

Hang gliding and paracsending from Rhossilli down (Gower’s highest point)

Popular with day trippers admiring the 3 mile bay and cliff top views.
Walk to the coastguard station to view and cross over onto Worms Head.

Refreshments and public toilet facilities.
Dogs allowed on beach and coastal path all year.

Six miles from Hill House (14minutes by car).

Access onto northern end of Rhossilli bay.

Car park at Hill End Caravan / camping ground.

Follow the boardwalk through dunes onto beach

Refresl.hment and toilet facilities near campsite.

Popular with families and surfers

Dogs allowed on beach all year.

Hill House
Llanrhidian
Swansea
SA3 1ER

Bracelet Bay – SA3 4JT

Award-winning beach offering a range of activities for all the family. Sandy cove with pebbles and rock pools. Close to coastal path to Langland.

13 miles (29 minutes) from Hill House Holiday cottage
Pay and Display beach side car parking
Refreshment and public toilet facilities
Seasonal dog walking restrictions – 1st May to 30th September

Limeslade – SA3 4JW

A small bay surrounded by cliffs with a pebble and sandy cove. Access by steps. Close to the car park and facilities at Bracelet Bay.

13 miles (29 minutes) from Hill House Holiday cottage
Seasonal dog walking restrictions – 1st May to 30th September
Green Coast Award
Rural Coast Award

Rotherslade – SA3 4QA

A small sandy bay adjacent to the much larger Langland bay. On cost path from Limeslade.

12 miles from Hill House (26 minutes by car).
Seasonal dog walking restrictions – 1st May to 30th September
Refreshment and toilet facilities
Limited on road parking / Carpark at Langland

Langland – SA3 4SQ

Langland, with it’s landmark beach huts and wide sandy beach bay, is extremely popular with families and surfers

11 miles from Hill House (26 minutes by car).
Seasonal dog walking restrictions – 1st May to 30th September
Pay & display beach side car park
Refreshments and toilet facilities
Lifeguard patrol – May to September

Caswell – SA3 3BT

A small sandy bay adjacent to the much larger Langland bay. On cost path from Limeslade.

10 miles from Hill House (23 minutes by car).
Seasonal dog walking restrictions – 1st May to 30th September
Pay & display beach side car park
Refreshments and toilet facilities
Lifeguard patrol – May to September

Brandy Cove

A secluded sandy cove. Only accessible via the coastal foot path. Walk along cliff top coastal path taking in the stunning scenery.

10 miles from Hill House (23 minutes by car).
Pay & display car park at Caswell
Refreshments and toilet facilities at Caswell
15 minutes on foot from Caswell
Access for dogs is affected by seasonal dog walking restrictions at Caswell Bay

Pwll Du

A large sandy secluded beach backed by a high bank of Pebbles. Accessible via the coastal path from Caswell and Southgate or via the Bishopston valley footpath from Kittle.

National Trust car park at Southgate – SA3 2DH
Pay & display car park at Caswell
Refreshments and toilet facilities at Caswell
30 minutes walk from Southgate or Caswell
Access for dogs is affected by seasonal dog walking restrictions at Caswell Bay

Pobbles

A popular small sandy cove accessible via cost path and footpaths/bridal ways from Pennard. Also accessible from Three Cliffs bay at low water

7 miles from Hill House to Southgate (18 minutes)
National Trust car park at Southgate – SA3 2DH
Some refreshments facilities at Southgate
15 minutes walk from Southgate via cost path

Three Cliffs

One of the most picturesque bays in Gower. Voted Britain’s Best Beach by the BBC Holiday Squad in 2006. Runner-up in ITV’s Britain’s favourite View.

5 miles to Parkmill from Hill House (12 minutes)
Car parking and refreshments at Parkmill SA3 2EH
Lifeguard patrol – July to September
Lifeguard patrol @ weekends from Easter to the end of June
Beware – Strong currents – only swim with lifeguard patrol
Also accessible from Pobbles and Tor Bay.

Tor Bay

A small sheltered sandy bay accessible via coast path. Also accessible from Three Cliffs bay and Crawley Woods at low tide,

4 miles to Penmaenl from Hill House (10 minutes)
Limited of road parking at Penmaen – SA3 2DH
Access via footpath and coast path from Penmaen o Nicolstone.

Crawley Woods

Wide sandy beach, backed by sand dunes, accessible by coast path from Nicholstone. Also accessible from Tor Bay and Oxwich at low tide.

3.5 miles to Nicholstone from Hill House (9 minutes)
Limited off road parking at Nicholstone – SA3 2HL
Accessible via Nicholstone burrows footpath.

Oxwich Beach – SA3 1LS

Wide sandy beach popular spot for swimming and water sports including diving, sailing, water skiing and windsurfing.

7 miles from Hill House (15 minutes)
Privately owned beachside car park – Daily ticket
Beachside refreshments and toilet facilities
Facilities for launching boats and jet skies.
Dogs allowed on the beach all year

Slade

Small secluded sandy cove. Only accessible by footpath from Slade or coast path from Oxwich or Horton.

8 miles from Hill House (20 minutes)
Limited off road parking at Slade – SA3 1NA
A 10-minute walk from Slade
Difficult decent onto beach over rough terrain
Dogs allowed on the beach all year

Horton

Spacious and safe for family fun.

8 miles from Hill House (14 minutes)
Pay & display beachside car park
Refreshments and toilet facilities
Lifeguard patrol – May to September
Dogs allowed on the beach to the east of the coastguard station

Port Eynon

Safe and sandy with rock pools to explore at low tide. Voted Britain’s best beach in 2011.

8 miles from Hill House (14 minutes)
Pay & display beachside car park
Refreshments and toilet facilities
Lifeguard patrol – May to September
Dogs allowed on the beach to the west of the coastguard station

Mewslade

Remote secluded cove not accessible at high tide.

Car park in a field at Pitton – SA3 1PH
20-minute walk along valley footpath
Difficult decent onto beach over rough terrain
Dogs allowed on the beach all year
Also accessible via coast footpath

Fall Bay

Superb remote secluded cove not accessible at high tide.

National Trust car park at Rhossili – SA3 1PP
20-minute walk along footpaths and bridal way
Very difficult decent onto beach over rough terrain
Dogs allowed on the beach all year
Also accessible via coast footpath

Rhossili – SA3 1PP

This 3-mile long bay is consistently voted as Britain’s Best Beach & it’s Europe’s top three. Popular with day-trippers walking along the headland to view Worms Head.

10 miles from Hill house (22 minutes by car)
National Trust car park overlooking Worms Head
Footpath defending onto beach via several flights of steps
Dogs allowed on the beach all year
Hang gliding and parascending from Rhossilli down

Llangennith – SA3 1JD

The western end of Rhossili Bay is known as Llangennith beach. It’s more easily accessible than from Rhossili and its popular with families and surfers.

6 miles from Hill house (14 minutes by car)
Car park at Hillend Campsite – Daily ticket.
Refreshments and toilet facilities
Dogs allowed on the beach all year
Boardwalk from carpark through sandiness onto the beach

Blue Pool

A remote cove that is covered at high tide that fills a natural plunge pool formation in the rocks. Access via coast path from Llangenneth or Broughton Bay.