Rhossili and Worms Head (Rhossili Bay)

Member Name: flodombey

Product:	Rhossili Bay
Date:	31/08/09 (35 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Very pretty, great beach, nice pub and wonderful views

Disadvantages: Strenuous to get down to the coast, dangerous cliffs and slippery rocks

Rhossili Bay is a quite stunning beach and headland, including the rocky outcrop called Worms Head which is accessible for a couple of hours a day depending on the tide.

Located about 20 minutes west of Swansea in the Gower Peninsular, I was actually amazed on arrival at this beach at quite how pretty the beach and bay area are. I have never seen such an idylic beach in the UK before and luckily for us the sun was out on the day we visited and with perfect blue skies it really is something else.

You actually drive into Rhossili at the top of the headland and the top of a massive hill. On this levelled out bit of land there is a car park where you can pay a flat fee of £2.50 for the day and which seemed fairly safe with the wardens on patrol by the gate. It is, in effect, a large field but we did not have a problem getting on and off it.

There is a National Trust shop, a cafe, a hotel and a pub which does great food (The Worm's Head) and has panoramic views down over the bay and the headland. It also has a great outside seating area which would be perfect in warm weather. Although the sun was out on the day we visited it was blowing a gale and not overly warm. There are also a couple of mobile food vans and tourist shops selling buckets and spades etc.

To get down to the beach you have to take a long downhill route from behind the hotel which is ok going down (if a bit steep) and very exhausting coming back up. It is about half a mile of uneven ground and very difficult for anyone with pushchairs. Once down on the beach it is soft sand and very flat and the tide, when its out, is quite far away. This beach is very popular with surfers due to the waves and lots of people were enjoying the water when we visited despite it being rather chilly!

The hills overlooking the beach are quite spectacular and incredibly green which makes for a lovely view. There were many people paragliding and hang gliding off the hill above the beach whilst we were there and it was nice to watch them from the pub.

The other way from the hotel and pub leads towards the Worms Head outcrop. On this piece of land there are seals and amazing numbers of sea birds. Once a day you can cross over the causeway that appears at low tide to the headland but you have to be very careful about leaving time to get back.

On the day we were there you could cross from around 6pm and had to be back by 10pm, however, I would not recommend trying to do this journey in the dark as it consists of lots of slippery rocks and is quite difficult to navigate. If you intend on doing it I would suggest very rugged walking boots and for you to be quite agile and fit. Apparently people get stranded quite often on the outcrop and have to be rescued.

There are lots of rockpools down at the Worms Head side of the bay and these contain masses of muscles and snails and apparently crabs although we did not see any. The coastline is rugged and again you have to climb down a steep path to get down to the water, climbing back up is quite strenuous but it is worth it and gives some lovely views.

A great day out if you are in the area, if the weather is good this place is incredibly pretty and offers a lot to experience in the fresh air. If the weather is bad it is still worth a visit, if only to sit in the Worms Head pub and indulge in some smashing food and wonderful views.

Summary: A great day out if you are in the Gower peninsular