How to find Culver Hole on the gower peninsula
Situated on the Gower peninsulas south coast, Culver Hole is a large cave sealed behind a 60ft stone wall lined with mismatched windows.
Hidden away in a rocky cleft, the Indiana Jones-esq structure was believed to have been built in the 13th century and holds a bounty of smuggling stories. According to local legend, it was used by brigand John Lucas as a storehouse with tales of a secret tunnel, which was apparently big enough to ride a horse through, connecting it with the neighbouring salt house.
Another local legend denotes the smugglers used pigeon post to give advance warning of their arrival. However this story probably started because Culver hole was originally used as a pigeon loft and the root its name, comes from the old English word for pigeon, Kulverd,
Regardless of its history, this strange structure is well worth visiting if you are on the peninsula and can easily be reached from the nearby Port Eynon beach.
Be warned that you can only access to the hole between mid to low tide - so check the tide times and aim to head down when the tide is on its way out.
Where to park for Culver Hole
Parking for Culver hole is available at the large car park located next to Port Eynon Beach. It costs £4 for 3 hours or £6 for all-day.
How to Reach Culver hole
From the car park, pass through the Sky Sea caravan site and head towards the ruins of the old Salt house located beneath the headland.
Thanks to a man named John Lucas, the quaint village of Port Eynon accounts for quite a few chapters in Gower’s salty smuggling story. After years apparently spent pirating overseas, Lucas returned to his native Gower and turned the former Salt house into his smuggling headquarters. Fabled tales tell of hidden cellars alongside a maze of secret passageways, however recent archaeological investigations have found little evidence to support these legendary stories
From the Salt house walk up to the Gower Society obelisk which sits on the headland behind it (it's clearly visible from the Salt House). Once at the obelisk follow the cliff top westwards, after 50 yard there should be a faint path to your left which slants diagonally down to the rocky reef below, follow this path cautiously down onto the beach and Culver hole should come into view.
Can you go inside culver hole?
Access inside the rocky cleft is via a small opening at the bottom of the concrete wall. This can sometimes be blocked off if there has been stormy weather. It’s rather dark inside so it will take some time for your eyes to adjust.
You are able to climb up and explore the higher levels of culver hole via a rather sketchy bit of old rope which dangles from the lowest window.
Having been up there myself, I wouldn’t recommend the effort of trying to get up. Not only is the climb up very difficult, but inside the walls are also covered in pigeon shit, which will ultimately only result in you getting it all over your hands and clothes. Furthermore there really isn’t much to see once you’re actually up there as there are no hidden passageways and the view back outside is rather limited.
To get back to your car you simply retrace your steps, or continue around to Overton mere and hike back up over the headland.
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Gower Blogs
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