Our Stunning Coastline
The beaches of Swansea Bay, Mumbles and Gower are some of Britain’s most stunning coastline. Swansea itself is centred on the five-mile sweep of Swansea Bay, while less than 15 minutes from the City is Gower, home to around 50 unspoilt beaches, coves and bays.
Gower Coastline has been named by the Lonely Planet Guide as a top ten place to visit in the world in 2012.
Bracelet Bay is the first small bay around the coast from Swansea Bay. It is a sandy cove with pebbles and rock pools; Rotherslade Bay is a small sandy beach, with a lovely cafe perched above with fantastic views across the channel to North Devon. Langland Bay is a superb stretch of sandy beach, popular with sun and water sports enthusiasts. Its landmark beach huts are particularly popular with families.
Caswell is an attractive open bay, popular with surfers and ideal for families. A short walk to the west will take you to Brandy Cove, a picturesque sandy cove with rocks and pebbles; it was once famed for smuggling- hence its name!
Pwll Du is another bay surrounded in history and mystery. Its name literally translates as ‘Black Pool’.
Dramatic views await you at Three Cliffs (Mine & Dena’s favourite), a finalist in the TV programme ‘Britain’s Favourite View’. Tor Bay is a large sandy beach, shaped like a horseshoe. Popular with bathers, due to it being partially sheltered and there always being sand at high tide.
Port Eynon, (which won Britain’s favourite beach by Cadbury’s 2012) along with its adjoining neighbour, Horton, offer fabulous stretches of golden sand and rock pools to explore at low tide. Then there’s the quiet charm of Mewslade and the inspiring beauty of Rhossili (recent winner of Best Beach in Britain) with the dramatic backdrop of Worm’s Head and the dunes of waves of Llangennith too.
In The Times – Travel edition (July 2011) an article called ‘Britain’s Secret Beaches’, and listed was Rhossili Bay – Gower Peninsula.
‘Rhossili Bay is a stunning stretch of butttercup-coloured sand that bleeds into the spot in South Wales where the Bristol Channel meets the Atlantic. Green-swathed cliffs sweep down to the long crescent of sand’
Also, Rhossili Bay was dubbed Britain’s favourite beach by Cadbury’s in 2010.
Now you can get out more in Gower seven days a week on the Gower Explorer bus, which goes to…..
Exotic beaches – Mewslade and Pobbles
Historic Castles – Weobley Castle and Oxwich Castle
Iconic Bays – Three Cliffs and Rhossili
Coastal Walks – Pennard to Pwll Du and Llanrhidian to Cheritan
Nature Reserves – Cwm Ivy Woods, Llanmadoc and Oxwich National Nature Reserve
Interesting Attractions – National Trust Visitor Centre, Rhossili and Rhossili Gallery
…and you can get to all of them on the bus with a day ticket! For travel information 0871 200 22 33 or visit www.baytrans.org.uk for more details.
Golf
For those who choose to unwind at the tees, the area boasts a number of courses, most notably Langland Golf Club, which offers a challenging days golf for all abilities set against the stunning backdrop of Langland Bay.
Walking
The beautiful coastline and countryside of the Gower Peninsula offers a number of designated pathways for both the casual stroller and experienced rambler.
For those who like to take things easy, why not take a wander along the promenade of Swansea Bay, which runs all the way from Mumbles Head to Swansea Marina.
Watersports
Llangennith and Oxwich Bays are excellent locations for surfing and windsurfing, with the W.S.F.Surf School being based at Llangennith. Lessons are also available at Caswell Beach with Gower Surf School GSD (the British Surfing Associations only 4-star surfing school in Wales) providing lessons from absolute beginners upward. Board and wetsuit hire is also available. For more information or to book, call 01792 360370.
Cycling
Swansea to The Mumbles, South Wales – 5 miles
‘The flat semi-circular route, the Swansea Bike Path, part of the Celtic Trail, goes round the wide curving sweep of Swansea Bay long the route of the old Mumbles Railway line. There are great views all the way, across to Mumbles Head and over the Gower Peninsula’. (The Times – Five wild coastal rides, Sept 3, 2011)
Ideal for family cycle rides or for those who like to take things easy, the promenade at Swansea Bay offers seven miles of flat, uninterrupted cyclepath running along the beautiful Swansea Bay. For the serious cyclist, a short journey away is the Afan Valley Forest MTB Trails which are classified in the world’s top ten riding venues. For more information, contact Paul on the Booking Hotline: 01639 893661.
Shopping
A 10-minute drive from The Crescent, there is a village called ‘The Mumbles’ which is an ecletic mix of independent shops for the discerning shopper. The main shopping area is located at the top of Newton Road and features a number of small shops and boutiques that cater for specialist and bespoke needs, rather than following the prescribed trends and layouts typical of town centre chains. These independently run stores give shopping in the area a more intimate and friendly feel than that of the chain culture associated with town centre shops and also means that you are able to pick up truly original, one-off pieces. For those with a taste for designer and gourmet food products, there are also a number of small delis offering delicious delicacies from all over the world.
But if the City is your scene then Swansea centre is a 10-minute walk from The Crescent. Ask Dena or myself for details on any shopping destinations or trips you are interested in.
