How to reach Whiteford Lighthouse | Walk guide and vlog
A delightful headland walk on the Northwest tip of the Gower Peninsula. The walk takes you across a vast two-mile expanse of beach leading out along the edge of the Loughor Estuary and back through the unspoiled Whiteford nature reserve.
Alongside being a haven for wildlife, including wild horses, at low tide you will be able to access Whiteford lighthouse, the only wave-swept cast-iron tower in Britain. The 13m tall decommissioned lighthouse can be found at the northern tip of the beach and was built in 1865.
Things to note before departing
Because the base of the lighthouse is situated half a mile into the Loughor estuary off the tip of the peninsula, it is only accessible 90 minutes either side of low tide.
Check the tide times available here and aim to get down there before low tide. The walk to the lighthouse will take at least an hour so factor this into your hike before your start.
Please don’t risk getting caught by the incoming tide, the Loughor estuary is extremely treacherous and you don’t want to end up becoming another statistic.
Finally as you have to cross an unstable causeway, I’d recommend wearing some suitable walking shoes or stable trainers which you don’t mind getting a little wet and sandy.
Where to park
Parking (SA3 1DE) is available in a farmers field between the villages of Cwm Ivy and Llanmaddoc. Parking is free but there is an honesty box so please donate where you can . To reach the car park drive through the village until you reach the church of St Madoc, which sits at a fork in the road. Take a right down the hill and the car park will be in a field on your next right.
If the car park is closed your alternative option is to find appropriate roadside parking in the village of Llanmaddoc. Please be considerate of residents if doing so.
The route
From car park take a right and follow the road down to Cwm Ivy coffee shop. Stay left and pass alongside the houses, through the wooden kissing and metal swing gates down the hill.
Once at the bottom of the hill take a right before the path begins to climb gently again, through the wooden swing gate just in front of burrows cottage.
Follow the path to the left through the woods past the ‘former military firing range sign’ through the sand dunes and down onto Whiteford beach. Upon reaching the shoreline of Whiteford sands you have two options to reach the lighthouse.
Follow the arcing hightide line for two miles around to the tip of the peninsula before cutting across the causeway to the lighthouse
B-line directly across the vast expanse of wet sand straight towards the lighthouse.
I would recommend following the high tide line despite option 2 being quicker as your feet will get soaked from all the standing water which has been left by the retreating tide.
Having made this mistake before I can lay testament to this, trashing a pair of trainers in the process.
No matter watch option you take the final section of your walk will involve crossing a rocky causeway to reach the base of your lighthouse. Although this section isn’t difficult, the rocks can be unstable and you might have to navigate the odd rockpool.
Once at the base, take the time to enjoy it but by weary of the incoming tide.
To complete the walk, I would recommend looping around the other side of the peninsula or heading back through Whiteford burrows to the start point. The route is equally as beautiful and there is a chance of seeing some of the wild horses which graze the Gowers common ground.
Finish your walk off the right way by stopping for a pint and bite to eat in the Britannia Inn in Llanmaddoc on the way home.
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