Swansea Bay and the Gower Peninsula

Explore Swansea Bay and The Gower Beaches and Coast

Swansea Bay and the Gower Peninsula lie in south Wales and are one of the country's most popular spots for local holidaymakers as here you'll find everything you could want in a coastal break.

With Wales' second city, Swansea, enjoying a waterfront location, you're never more than ten minutes from the sea. The city lies at the heart of the 5-mile stretch of coast that is Swansea Bay. At the other end of the bay is Mumbles, a very pretty seaside village renowned for its pier, medieval castle and Welsh-Italian ice-cream parlours.

Following the coast, you'll discover the much-celebrated Gower Peninsula, a designated Area of Natural Beauty where you can delight at the many varied coves and bays, with stunning beaches, often secluded and empty.

Adrenalin sports enthusiasts, walkers and climbers are never short of something to do in this region. Choose from some of the best mountain biking trails in the world at Afan Forest Park, hiking across Worms Head or surfing on one of the Gower's fine beaches.


Why not check beaches nearby as we have 17 beaches in Swansea Bay and The Gower. You can even take a look at our list of Swansea Bay and The Gower dog friendly beaches or even our United Kingdom Blue Flag beach list.

Swansea Bay and The Gower Coast Map

Swansea Bay and The Gower Coast Search Bar

Where would you like to go? Use our search bar to search across all our local listings, ideal for finding that nearest spot to visit:

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Want some ideas on where to visit?

Every favourite location must be visited for the first time. Want some ideas, why not check out the below small selection of coastal locations, including beaches, activities, things to see and do, and places to stay and eat:

History and heritage

Gower Heritage Centre

The Gower Heritage Centre is a crafts and rural life museum in Parkmill in the heart of the beautiful setting of the Gower Peninsula in South Wales. First established in 1990, in the last 20 years the 12th-century corn and saw mill has been restored and many local craftspeople ply their trade on site. The centre is now recognised as Read more…
Brandy-Cove-beach

Brandy Cove Beach

Brandy Cove beach is within a secluded bay only reached by walking, either along the beach at low tide from Caswell beach or along the coast paths. The cove is wrapped by cliffs and the beach itself is a mix of sand, rocks and pebbles. The bay gets its name from stories of smugglers who landed alcohol and tabacco. Brandy Read more…
Langland-Bay-beach

Langland Bay Beach

Langland Bay beach is a wide sandy beach with pebbles and rocks at either side Popular surfing location, particular in the winter months. Facilities include a promenade , cafes and beach huts. Read more…
History and heritage

Oystermouth Castle

Oystermouth Castle is a Norman stone castle founded by William de Londres soon after 1106 following the capture of Gower by the Normans. Features include 14th century graffiti, plus people can explore the medieval maze of deep vaults and secret staircases and enjoy the magnificent views over Swansea Bay from the 30 foot high glass bridge. Read more…
Oxwich-Bay-beach

Oxwich Bay Beach

Oxwich Bay beach is one of the Gower’s most popular beaches, with good access and two and half miles of sand backed by sand dunes, salt marshes and woodland. Popular for all watersports including, sailing, kitesurfing, surfing, water-skiing, diving and windsurfing. It is a safe beach for swimming. You can walk across the sand towards Three Cliffs Bay. Read more…
Rhossili Bay Beach 768x512

Rhossili Bay Beach

Rhossili Bay beach is situated on the western tip of the Gower Peninsula with views across the Bristol Channel and towards Pembrokeshire. Rhossili has spectacular cliffs, burial cairns and mysterious shipwrecks visible at low tide, so there is plenty for the whole family to do and see. The 3  km beach stretches from Burry Holmes to Worms Head and is Read more…
National-Waterfront-Museum

National Waterfront Museum

The National Waterfront Museum is an industrial and maritime heritage museum in Swansea, South Wales that was opened in 2005. The museum is housed in an original listed waterfront warehouse in the maritime quarter of the city which then links through to the contemporary slate and glass section. Explore the museum and details of 300 years of industrial innovation in Read more…
Place to eat

The Bank Statement Pub

The Bank Statement is a Wetherspoon pub in Swansea, Swansea. Our pub offers a range of real ales, craft beers and freshly ground Lavazza coffee. Breakfast is served until noon, with our full food menu available until 11 pm.     Read more…
Mumbles Lifeboat Station 768x512

The Mumbles Lifeboat Station

The Mumbles lifeboat station was established in 1835 and operates inshore and all-weather lifeboats. The station has had many forms, initially, the lifeboat was housed on the shore under the Mumbles cliffs and was launched and rehoused along a stone slipway using block and tackle. After the first world war, a lifeboat house was erected on piles alongside the pier, Read more…
Caswell-Bay-beach

Caswell Bay Beach

Caswell Bay Beach is a gently sloping and sandy beach, located on the south Gower Coast, west of Langland Bay and Mumbles Head. The sandy beach is between two limestone cliffs headlands and is ideal for families with large beach area and rock pools. Good surfing and ideal for beginners. Facilities include a promenade with several seaside shops, parking and Read more…
Whiteford-Sands-beach

Whiteford Sands Beach

Whiteford Sands beach is a large sandy beach backed by dunes. Behind the dunes you have Whiteford Burrows that is an important feeding ground for wading birds and wildfowl. Currents can be strong along this beach so care should be taken. No facilities at Whiteford Sands with the closest parking just outside of Llanmadoc. Read more…
Things to see and do

Culver Hole

The origins of Culver Hole are shrouded in mystery with some claiming the feature was built to hide smuggling activities. It is a very tall, narrow cave which, during its long history, has been walled up to protect a number of floors and slippery stairways. The cave house walls are two metres thick. The most likely explanation though is that Read more…
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