At the western end of Gower, near Swansea, lies a sublime stretch of beach encompassing golden sand, water sports, and the famous Worm’s Head landmark. Rhossili Bay has gained the accolade of Britain’s best beach for the second time, also claiming the title of third best beach in Europe and ninth best beach in the World.
flickr/James Hetherington
The area, which is part owned by the National Trust, includes spectacular views from the cliffs surrounding the beach and three miles of sandy shore with a varying expanse of beach depending on the level of the tide. It is important to note that the beach involves a steep walk down the side of cliffs which hasn’t been made wheelchair accessible yet, however, the stunning views are certainly worth the walk.
Activities
Rhossili Bay offers ideal conditions for surfing with the high tides and consistent swell attracting a host of people to bring along their boards and enjoy the waves. The picturesque location also provides a multitude of adventure sports for adrenaline junkies with supervised rock climbing, hand gliding, and parasailing on offer. The sea is also declared safe for swimming, although if you fancy a dip take caution as the coastline is littered with shipwrecks just underneath the surface.
For the less adventurous, there is still plenty to do while taking in the natural beauty which surrounds you. Guided walks, green events, national beach events, and wildlife event days are held by the National Trust to provide a deeper understanding of this magnificent coastline. If you prefer to take in the views without a guide, suggested walking routes can be found in the National Trust shop and visitor centre located in the town of Rhossili.
Worm’s Head
flickr/Home From Home
The most popular natural feature of Rhossili Bay is the spectacular Worm’s Head, named ‘Wurm’ by the Vikings due to its long and sea-serpent shape. The island consists of two islands, an ‘Inner Head’ and an ‘Outer Head’, and connects with the mainland via a causeway which is only exposed for two and a half hours during low tide. The Outer Head contains a natural blow hole which has been known to emit loud boomings and hissing during the right conditions. It is also home to Worm’s Head Cave and is a popular breeding spot for Herring Gulls, Guillemots, Kittiwakes, Puffins, and Razorbills.
Helvetia Wreck
flickr/Gareth Lovering
The coastline of Rhossili Bay is dotted with shipwrecks, the most famous being the instantly recognisable landmark of the Helvetia Wreck. The Helvetia has been a feature of this beach since 1887, when a forceful gale swept it around Worm’s Head and into the shallow waters of Rhossili Bay. The wreck was sold at a cut-price to a local man who salvaged what he could, but, the carcass of the ship had sunk deep into the sand where it remains today.
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