Mewslade Bay
The beach and scenery at Mewslade are both dramatic and unspoilt. For those who like to get away from crowds and enjoy a picturesque walk thenMewsslade is a great option. There are no shops or facilities, the closest being located at Rhossili.
The dramatic Thurba Head at Mewslade Bay
The water is usually very clean, although there is a large kelp bed close to fall bay which can feel strange to the touch. The area is popular with climbers and fishermen. When there is a large swell there is a reef at low tide that produces an excellent wave for surfers. When the surf is large swimming can be dangerous as a strong undertow can develop.
Local farmers use the cliff tops for grazing, and therfore request that dogs should be kept on leads when approaching and leaving the beach. WARNING: There is no Lifeguard patrol or phone on this beach, do not swim in big surf as there are strong undertows.
Getting to Mewslade, there are two options:
Option 1
One mile before Rhossili is Pitton, after you passing Pitton Farm campsite you will find the the road drops down, at the bottom of the hill you will see a farm on the left, you can park here.(see photos above) - turn left and 100metres on is a field car park. there is an honesty box (£2.00 fee). leave the car park and walk towards the farm, about 20 metres on your right is a farm gate next to some barns, proceed through the gate, taking care to close it afterwards. This is a pleasant tree-lined path that takes you down to the beach. Walk Time, 15-20 minutes.
Option 2
Park at Rhosilli and walk around the cliff path towards Worms Head, as you approach the headland above the causeway, take the paths to your left - you will first arrive at Fall Bay which is connected to Mewslade at low tide, this should take about 40-50 minutes.
Paviland Cave
Less than a mile along the coastal path is the Knave and close by Paviland cave.
Stuart Beale commented….”Paviland Cave is home to the oldest known ceremonial burial in Western Europe and was initially believed to be the remains of a roman lady. However, the Red Lady of Paviland was not lady at all but a shaman who was buried over 30,000 years ago. To add some perspective, the pyramids of Egypt, and Stonehenge, are believed to be just 5,000 years old.
When this shaman was buried here the sea levels were much lower than they are today and you could've walked all the way across the Bristol Channel to Devon. It's likely that Gower would have been a mountain range overlooking low lying land to the south.
Nobody really knows why he was buried here, and exactly what his status was, but further DNA testing could one day shed more light on what must be one of Wales' most intriguing discoveries.”
Irene Kelk commented….”That's where Neanderthal remains were found Also the Gower has a Neolithic long burial chamber and other caves which were the lair of hyenas. Many other interesting sites in Gower where people have lives for millennia”
