Features

United Kingdom - Three Cliffs - hidden gems on the Welsh Coast

by Nick Hawkes

Three Cliffs Bay – An unspoilt hidden treasure

With a number of the other beaches on the Gower Peninsula in South Wales being eroded by continual dredging of the Bristol Channel (thanks to the ever-present construction industry), it is remarkable and magnificent to see that Three Cliffs Bay has not changed at all in the 20-odd years since my last visit.

This truly special place still has its thick layers of golden soft Welsh sand, and, when the tide is out and the sun is hot you could not imagine a better place to relax and escape. It's still a hidden gem, thanks in the main to the fact that there is no direct parking near the beach, and there are no arcades and stalls as with so many other beachfronts and bays in the UK.

Getting there

You can get there different ways, all of which require a walk down a hill, or along an enclosed path and across a stream to the beach, so if it's hot remember your water bottle!

Parking at, getting the bus to or cycling to Parkmill and starting from Parkmill Stores, you cross the bridge into the woods (it's hard to believe you are anywhere near a beach apart from the saline droplets in the air and the crash of waves in the distance!) - and it's about a mile walk to the sea.

Follow one of the fresh water streams along until the path forks: left takes you up to the ruin of Pennard Castle - www.castlewales.com - one of the multitude of castles in varying states of repair in South Wales. The right fork follows the stream which slowly reveals a small intimate valley covered in undulating sand dunes, with forests of trees rising from the hills on both sides and a display of wild flowers near the stream giving you a hint of what you are going to see further on.

The view begins

The expanse of sand comes into view, only interrupted by the meandering stream lazily making its way down to the sea. The Three Cliffs themselves rise majestically straight out of the sand, ending the rugged hillside on the left with a framed hole showing the sea and waves beyond. Oxwich Bay - www.enjoygower.com - arcs its way round to the right, meeting the other distant headland. Take the wonderful walk along the beach to the Oxwich Bay Hotel, and sample one their fine baguettes and tea or coffee at lunchtime, or perhaps something stronger - www.oxwichbayhotel.co.uk.

The Experience

The sand is soft and forgiving underfoot and happily gets between your toes. Crossing that cold fresh stream for the last time, you are greeted at the sea front by a billiard table of a beach with 5 foot waves as the tide rolls in. Even if there are people on the beach, there is plenty of room to sit and enjoy the space and tranquillity.

As you body surf in the waves, enjoying a warm(ish) atlantic current, you can't help but notice the view looking inland too: climbers on the sea-facing side of the three cliffs, the valley disappearing off in two directions, and thinking about the wonderful view the campers must get on the Three Cliffs Caravan and Camping park - www.threecliffsbay.com.

Final Thoughts

This wonderful place is a must-see if you are on the Gower. Relatively undiscovered because of its relative inaccessibility, it is a real treat, very relaxing and inspiring. I will certainly visit it again at some point, be it to photograph, to paint or just simply sit against the rocks and read a good book.

Getting there: Via Swansea, follow the signs to Gower.

Getting around: There are regular buses in and out of Swansea to the Gower if you don't feel brave enough to venture onto the narrow roads yourself by car or bike - www.swansea.gov.uk.

Staying: There are a multitude of camping and caravan sites on the Gower, and if you need a little more pampering, there are also a number of guest houses and hotels to comfort the aching limbs - www.the-gower.com.

Also don't miss: Rhossili Bay and the Worms Head. A spectacular bay with a nature trail walk from Rhossilli village to the headland at The Worms Head - www.rhossili.org.uk.