Gower Coast guide and sightseeing         

Summary
The Gower Peninsula on the south Wales coast, to the west of Swansea, is an area of outstanding natural beauty, with award-winning beaches, dramatic cliffs, rolling countryside and picturesque villages. There’s endless opportunity for outdoor activities, from surfing to walking or cycling. Poet Dylan Thomas (who was born in Swansea) loved this area and it’s easy to see why – the beaches get crowded in summer with other Gower fans.

The views from the village of Rhossili are particularly stunning, with one of the best beaches lapped by the Atlantic below. Many ancient sites are dotted across the region too, from Pennard Castle to Arthur’s Stone. With hotels to suit all pockets, why not book your last minute hotel now?

Getting there/getting around the Gower Coast
Cardiff International, 50 miles from Swansea, is the nearest airport and buses run regularly between Swansea station and the Gower. There are train services to Swansea from London, Brighton, Sheffield, Newcastle and York; the station is about 10 minutes from the city centre. Coaches serve various UK towns from Swansea too. Once at the Gower, it’s easiest to get around on foot or on local buses.

Sightseeing on the Gower Coast
The 50 Gower beaches boast some of the cleanest waters in the UK and are the main attraction for many visitors. Head to Rhossili Bay for great surfing – lessons are available from the Welsh Surfing Federation School. From here you can walk across to Worm’s Head, the extreme tip of the peninsula, but only during a two-hour period either side of low tide. Oxwich Bay, behind the Oxwich Nature Reserve, is a favourite with windsurfers.

Walking is a top pastime in the Gower, and there are plenty of trails through a varied landscape of grassland, woods, marshes and along the rugged coast. There are hundreds of archaeological sites to discover on the way, from medieval castles to Iron Age forts. Giants Grave is a burial chamber which dates back to 35000 BC, while Arthur’s Stone is the tip of a Neolithic burial chamber near Reynoldston village.

If you stop off in Swansea check out the Maritime Quarter which has been converted into a tranquil marina. The Maritime and Industrial Museum is one of the city’s top attractions.

Gower Coast family attractions, day trips and shopping experiences         

Family Attractions on the Gower Coast
One of the best ways to explore the Gower coast is to take the family on a guided boat trip.  Board at Mumbles, and a twelve-seater power boat will take you along the coast passing rugged cliffs, spectacular scenery, iron age forts, castles, and secret coves and beaches. You will pass many places of interest such as Caswell bay, Langland Bay, the more eerie Pwll-Du Bay (which means black hole in Welsh) and Paviland Cave, which houses the remains of a stone age skeleton.  You will also hear fascinating tales of pirates, smugglers and shipwrecks along the way.  You can also watch Atlantic Grey seals, seabirds and other marine life at Worm’s Head.

Spend a fun afternoon at the Gower Heritage Centre, at Parkmill.  This former 12th century corn and saw mill - situated right in the heart of the Gower Peninsula, minutes away from some of the areas most stunning bays - houses a fascinating crafts and rural life museum.  It’s a great place to bring the kids as there are lots of activities to keep them entertained.  These include craft workshops, puppet shows and glasswork demonstrations. There is also a large play area – and, tea rooms where you can enjoy a delicious cakes and tea.

Visit Mumbles, the home town and former stomping ground of actress Catherine Zeta-Jones.  It’s only a small village – yet, you’ll find plenty to keep the kids happy. Mumbles Pier has an amusement arcade, bowling area and indoor ice-rink.  There’s also a children’s play area, across the road from Mumble’s Pottery.  Also, worth a visit is Oystermouth Castle, which stands on a small hill, overlooking the village.  

Days trips from the Gower Coast
Cardiff is only an hour and a half away, by car, from the Gower coast.  So, it’s the perfect place for an impromptu day trip.  Top of the list of places to visit is the imposing neo-gothic, Cardiff  Cathedral, which overlooks the city.  Another place of interest is the National Museum and Gallery.  Cardiff Bay is vibrant and lively, with lots of great bars and restaurants.  If you’ve got time to spare – take a 30 minute boat trip around the city. This will take you past all the key landmarks including: Mermaid Quay and the Millennium Stadium.

Slightly further afield, but still within relatively easy striking distance, is Brecon Beacons National Park, which is located in the middle of Wales.  This is an area of stunning, natural beauty with forests, streams, hills, waterfalls and a wide variety of wildlife, including birds and sheep.

Shopping on the Gower Coast
If you need to do some serious shopping, Swansea is the main shopping centre, for South Wales.  Here you will find all the big names, high street and designer, in Swansea’s Oxford Street and The Quadrant.  Swansea also has a regular covered market, in the town centre, where you can buy everything – from food and drink to electronic goods, lingerie, perfume, jewellery and hair accessories.

But if you want to pick up some souvenirs, a special gift or some delicious local food – including cheeses, bread, cakes and pies – you will find many lovely little shops and boutiques dotted throughout the smaller villages of Gower.  For example, Mumbles, is packed with interesting shops.  So, too are many of the other villages such as Parkmill and Oxwich Bay.

Gower Coast nightlife, restaurants, bars and clubs         

Restaurants on the Gower Coast
You’ll find plenty of great restaurants – from Italian, Indian and Thai to Spanish Tapas and Chinese - dotted along the Gower Coast.  But, amongst the best are those which serve traditional regional dishes made from fresh local produce.  One of the best is the restaurant at Fairyhill Hotel, Reynoldston, which offers excellent traditional cuisine. Another superb restaurant is The Welcome To Town Country Bistro, in Llanrhidian, where you can expect fresh seasonal vegetables, game, poultry and other meats.

The restaurant at The Norton House Hotel, in Mumbles is another place that serves good traditional food.  For good fish dishes, try Knights, also in Mumbles.  You’ll find some of the best fish restaurants around the Cardiff Bay area.  If you like Thai food, try The Bay View restaurant, in Swansea.

Nightlife on the Gower Coast
You’ll find hundreds of pubs and bars dotted along the Gower Coast.  There’s also a good selection of night clubs. But, for the liveliest nightlife, head to Swansea where you’ll find lots of great places on Kingsway and Wind Street.  Top night spots include the Morgans Bar, the Monkey Bar – a small, cosy night club, Jumpin Jaks, if you want to really let your hair down and Revolution, a stylish new bar and club. 

Across the bay in Mumbles, all the best bars and clubs are along the ‘Mumbles Mile’, a one time favourite hang out of Dylan Thomas.