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Gower Peninsula and Caerphilly Castle
Europe » United Kingdom » Wales » Gower Peninsula
April 28th 2007 by steffen
The Gower Peninsula in south Wales is well-known for its beautiful coastline. The whole peninsula covers an area of more than 100 km² and features a variety of different beaches and bays. Actually it was the first area in the UK to be designated as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. This website offers a good introduction in the large number of Gower beaches.
My first stop on the Gower peninsula was in Langland Bay, a popular coastal holiday resort not too far from Swansea. The nice beach is lined with small green wooden beach huts and a nearby golf course offers a beautiful view on the bay.
At Caswell Bay I followed a path which led along the rocky coast. I enjoyed the view on the bay and the incoming waves which were dotted with a number of surfers. Although it was a sunny day the strong wind was quite cold - which is why I opted for a delicious hot chocolate and warm scones in the small but nice Surfside Café after my short walk.
I followed the road to Southgate where I stopped to visit the Pennard Cliffs. I had read that the views afforded
Caerphilly Castle Leaning Tower
Damaged in 1648, this tower is now the most notable features of the castle.
My next stop at Oxwich Bay was a rather relaxing one. The bay boasts a 2.5 mile-long sandy beach and a nice view of the nearby Three Cliffs at the other end of the bay. After a quick stop at the nearby Horton beach I continued to the most impressive bay I visited on this day.
Rhossili Bay is the most westerly bay on the Gower peninsula - and also the most beautiful one. The Rhossili Downs offer breathtaking views on the beach, the rocky outcrop Worms Head and Burry Holms. The tide was low so I had a chance to see the remains of the Helvetia wreck as well.
On my way back from Wales to England I stopped at the impressive Caerphilly Castle, located some 40 miles west of the Gower Peninsula. Built mainly between 1268 and 1271, the massive castle walls are surrounded by artificial water defences.
This castle is one of the greatest surviving fortresses of the medieval times in the UK and actually the largest castle in Wales.
Rhossili Bay
Note the wooden beams of the Helvetia in the bottom right corner - the ship was washed ashore it 1887.
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May 13th 2007 - Franco:
Lovely photos.
May 15th 2007 - GR: Wild and Rugged
...and the photos too.....just sums up the beauty of Wales. Caerphilly Castle against the dark sky looks magnificent.
My favourite pic is the coastal path as it reminds me of the many coastal paths I have treaded in the UK- brings some lovely memories for me of running along for miles.
Many a time completely taken over by the solitude ,tranquility and beauty that I had gone too far one way to return on foot and had to resort to begging a lift back to where I was staying :-)
The National Trust, a registered charity, do a great job in caring, managing and protecting special places, including coastal paths, in the UK and rely on the generosity of its supporters, of which I am proud to be one - membership gives free or a concessionary rate to admission to properties cared for by the National Trust, a beautiful members' handbook and magazines .
Tuesday 9 May marked the 50th anniversary of the Gower Peninsula, Swansea, becoming the first ever area in England and Wales to be designated 'Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty' (AONB).. which you have certainly captured with your camera.
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