Gower: Rhossili Bay, Worms Head & Britain's First National Landscape

Gower is a peninsula reaching west from Swansea into the Bristol Channel, a landscape of limestone cliffs, sandy bays, salt marshes and commons. In 1956 most of it became the first area in the United Kingdom to be designated an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, now the Gower National Landscape.

Why Gower Is Special

At Rhossili, at the western tip, a vast curve of sand sweeps beneath the down towards the rocky serpent of Worms Head, one of the great views of the British coast.

Around the peninsula, sheltered bays such as Three Cliffs and Oxwich are among the loveliest beaches in Wales.

The History of Gower

The highest point of Gower is the Beacon on Rhossili Down, 193 metres, overlooking Rhossili Bay.

The peninsula has been lived on for thousands of years. Neolithic chambered tombs, such as Sweyne Howes on Rhossili Down and Penmaen Burrows Tomb, still stand in the landscape, and Arthur's Stone on Cefn Bryn is a famous capstone.

The south coast is a series of small rocky or sandy bays, such as Langland and Three Cliffs, and larger beaches such as Port Eynon, Rhossili and Oxwich Bay.

What to See & the Best Walks at Gower

Walk out along the cliffs from Rhossili village to the coastguard lookout above Worms Head; you can cross to the Head itself only for a few hours either side of low tide, so check the crossing times. Climb Rhossili Down for the view along the bay.

Walk down to Three Cliffs Bay from Penmaen, and visit Arthur's Stone on Cefn Bryn at sunset.

Wildlife at Gower

Seals haul out on the rocks of Worms Head, and seabirds nest on its cliffs in early summer. The limestone grassland is rich in wild flowers, and the salt marshes of north Gower draw wading birds in winter.

Gardens, Countryside & Antiques near Gower

See the Gower National Landscape listing and walk part of the Wales Coast Path. Birdwatchers can visit WWT Llanelli Wetland Centre across the estuary.

For gardens, the National Botanic Garden of Wales and Aberglasney Gardens are within an hour, and Tenby is further west; see our guide to Tenby.

Gower Through the Seasons

Spring brings wild flowers to the clifftops. Summer is the season for beaches and surfing at Rhossili and Llangennith. Autumn sunsets over Worms Head are glorious, and winter walks on the empty sands are bracing.

Getting to Gower

Swansea station is on the main line from London and Cardiff, with buses across Gower to Rhossili and Port Eynon.

Gower: Questions & Answers

Can you walk to Worms Head?

Yes, but only for a few hours either side of low tide. Check the crossing times at the coastguard lookout before you go.

When did Gower become an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty?

In 1956, the first in the UK.

Our Advice

Our advice: Walk to the Worms Head lookout in the afternoon, check the tide if you want to cross, and stay at Rhossili for the sunset.