Rhossili Headland (Rhossili Bay)

Member Name: Ced Davies

Product:	Rhossili Bay
Date:	17/08/01 (161 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: historical interest, cheap, informative display

Disadvantages: roofless in the rain

While holidaying on the Gower Peninsula we decided to walk along the cliff top at Rhossili to Worm’s Head. The weather was windy with driving rain which heightened the grandeur and wildness of the scenery. We started at the car park (£2.00 for the day) and walked past the old coastguard house – now a National Trust shop and along the cliff top path. The views were spectacular. Below us to the right was the beach with its foaming, pounding waves. There were many surfers enjoying the conditions. The beach itself is a beautiful sweep of golden sands backed by cliffs, above which is heather clad Rhossili Down. We walked on out to the end of the land , across the National Nature Reserve and the site of ancient pattern of medieval field cultivation. At low tide the remains of an old shipwreck is exposed on the sands. Also at low tide the rocky causeway with its rock pools can be crossed to the strange and mysterious Worm’s Head, so named by the Vikings. It was here that Dylan Thomas found himself marooned one day after crossing to enjoy the impressive loneliness and then finding the tide had cut off his return. He had to spend the night on the island. He describes it as an eerie experience. At the very edge of the land stands the original Coastguard’s look out station. Inside is information and pictures of the wildlife and flora of the area. After looking out across the sea to try to see the N. Devon and Somerset coast and also Lundy Island, we retraced our steps. On our return we looked at the Old Castle fort at the side of the path – the site of an Iron Age fort. Back in the tiny hamlet there is a teashop , two cafes and a small hotel. Also there is the 13th C St Mary’s church.
Rhossili is well worth visiting.

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