The Ultimate Guide to the Gower Peninsula

Situated on the south coast of Wales and designated as the UK’s first Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty back in 1956, the Gower is a landscape like no other and one you have to see with your own eyes. 

With its spectacular sandy beaches, dramatic coastal cliffs and wild moors, the peninsula feels like a completely different country when compared urban chaos of Swansea – yet it sits within a 10 minute drive.

It’s southern coast, stretching from Mumbles in the East to Rhossili in the west has to be the highlight. Dominated by rugged limestone cliffs lined with spectacular cliff top paths, between each headland lies an array of breath taking beaches ranging from the sweeping, golden sanded vistas of Oxwich to the secluded rocky coves Pwll Du. 

The Gower is also the heartland of Welsh surfing, with the swell-soaked peninsula having some of the best waves in Wales outside of Pembrokeshire. Here you’ll find a wide array of breaks to suit all levels from first time riders to seasoned pros.

The Gower is a place which is very special to me having lived here for almost 26 of my 30 years on this earth. Its an area that I’m lucky to live in and one I will never get bored of. Within this guide I’ve highlighted the must visit locations, top things to do, along with some of my favourite places to eat and drink.

Where to Stay 

The great thing about the Gower is that everything is within a half hour (ish) drive of each other so it doesn’t not really matter where you stay.  There’s a wide range of accommodation options dotted across the peninsula, ranging from campsites to boutique seaside hotels meaning you can choose an accommodation based on your price point. 

If you are looking to stay somewhere a little more lively, then the city of Swansea is located less than 10 minutes drive from the edge of the Gower and has a wide range of accommodation options including chain hotels. Below I have recommended two campsites which I have stayed at. Both are not only situated in incredible locations but also have excellent facilities. If camping isn’t your thing then a full list of accommodation options can be found here;


Three Cliffs Bay Holiday Park

An award winning five star family touring park in the heart of Gower. The campsite overlooks the beautiful Three Cliffs Bay and offers a range of options including tent and caravan pitches, Glamping and Farm cottages all with access to a fully refurbished amenity block, with over 20 ensuite style bathrooms and kitchen area.  You couldn’t not ask for a better location.

 

The view you’ll have from Three Cliffs Bay holiday park

 

Hill End Campsite, Llangennith

Situated 200m from the beach behind behind the large grassy dunes which line Llangennith’s golden sands, Hill End campsite is perfect for those wanting to surf or explore some of the best coastal landscape that the Gower has to offer. 

Hill end is a big site, with 300 pitches for both tents and motorhomes across four level fields, two of which are family only.  The newly renovated shower block can easily cope with the numbers and four mile expanse of beach means there is more than enough room for everyone. There’s also a café and shop on site and a very good pub in the Kings Head 1km walk away in the village of Llangennith.

 

Llangennith beach with Worms head in the background. The buildings on the left beneath the hill are part of Hill End caravan and camp site,

 

The view over Bracelet bay from Castellamare

Where to Eat

Again the Gower and Swansea has a wide range of food options scattered across the peninsula, from cheap and cheerful to Michelin starred beach house restaurants. I have listed a few of my favourites below but they are no means gospel as everyone has their own favourite cuisine and price points.

Great Coffee

  • Coast Cafe Marina - Dog friendly café in Swansea Marina - Great coffee and world beating Pan Au Chocolates

  • Rag and Bone - Situated in West Cross just outside of Mumbles - Serves epic brunches

  • Mumbles coffee house - The best Coffee in Mumbles

  • Done & Dusted - A little café in Uplands, serves feel good sandwiches and even better coffee

Cheap lunch spots 

  • The Bay View - Delicious Thai food & dog friendly - You can get a starter and a main for £6.45 from 12-3pm Tuesday to Sat

  • M-bar cafe - Located above the high end clothes shop ‘Moda’ in the centre of Swansea. It serves high quality food at a very affordable price 

  • Gower Seafood Hut - situated in a converted horse box on the mumbles promenade, this quirky street food vendor cooks and serves fresh fish to order

Places with a fantastic view

  • Langland brasserie - Glass-fronted restaurant, café and bar with terrace situated on Langland beachfront 

  • Castellamare -An Italian and British Restaurant, café and bar which overlooks Bracelet Bay and Mumbles Lighthouse

  • Verdis - A sprawling glass beachfront café-complex with an ice cram kiosk located at the far end of Swansea bay in Mumbles 

Where to Drink

The Uplands, a small square located on the outskirts of the the city centre is my personal recommendation. The birthplace of famous poet Dylan Thomas, the uplands has recently been transformed into social hub filled with modern bars and delicious little restaurants. Here you’ll find no fewer 10 bars and pubs within 200m of each other entertaining people of walks of life. Whether you’re looking for a social drink, live music or a bit of a late night boogie then the Uplands has a watering hole for you. 

The Uplands Tavern is a popular haunt for music lovers, with live acts performing there regularly. Next door is Noahs yard, a quirky bar filled with eccentric décor. Across the road you’ll find Brewstone, a five tiered rustic bar which which offers an extensive list of craft beers and cocktails. The Bookshop has more of a younger club scene, but is always busy. The Verve and Bar St James offer a more relaxed atmosphere and If you’re interested in going into the early hours of the morning, then The Terrace, situated above Whitez pool hall, is open until 2am. There’s also Jack Murphies which is popular with students and The Optimist which also offers live music. 

If you are staying in the small seaside village of Mumbles, then there are a wide range of pubs and bars scattered across the village which tend to get quite lively on the weekend. The recently renovated Oyster Warf, and South End Gardens just off the promenade has a wide variety bars and eateries which serves both drinks and food. Some Favourites include the Dark Horse and Ty Cwrw, The Pilot is also an award winning ale house situated just outside the village centre

If you are after a microbrewery and Tap room, look no further than Beer Riff Brewing which looks out over Swansea Marina. They have 15 taps serving our beers that are either Brewed in house or sourced from across UK and Europe.

If you’re after a real big night, then the notorious Wind street is located in the city centre. described as Swansea’s version of Magaluf, Wind street is a 500m cobbled road lined wall to wall with bars, clubs and restaurants which stay upon until the early hours of the morning. The street is busiest on weekends and on Wednesday nights (student night) during University term time.