Three Cliffs Bay
Three Cliffs is one of Gower's most picturesque beaches and it's not hard to see why, the valley leading down to the sea complete with castle, the salt marshes and the sand dunes, and the three cliffs themselves. The cliffs are popular with climbers, and what a location, you can actually walk underneath the cliffs through an archway. There are stepping stones to cross the river on the Penmaen side of the bay (west), but make sure you can get back.
WARNING: Do not swim near or in Three Cliffs Bay at high tide as there are strong rip currents.
Three Cliffs Bay is one of the most photographed places on the peninsula, with great tracts of golden sand beneath towering cliffs culminating in three linked peaks. The heavily folded limestone strata of the cliffs is punctured by an archway leading to the quiet Pobbles Beach, which appears to be an extension of Three Cliffs Bay until the tide rises and the cliffs separate the two. The sandy Penmaen Burrows fringe the bay to the west, with traces of Norman earthworks and a prehistoric burial chamber. Pennard Burrows mirror them to the east, with the spectral, sand-eroded ruins of mysterious Pennard Castle and its neighbouring church perched high above the bay. Inland you will discover yet more history and atmosphere. In a wooded valley north of Parkmill is the Neolithic Parc le Breos burial chamber, also known as Giant’s Grave and dating from 4000 BC. Nearby to the north is Cathole Cave, where in 1968 flint tools were found that suggest human occupation in around 12000 BC.
From the dominating height of Cefn Bryn there are superlative views westwards to Rhossili Downs (the highest point in Gower), east towards Swansea, north to the Burry Estuary and beyond to Dyfed, and south over the Bristol Channel and the English coastline. Cefn Bryn was a focal point for prehistoric ceremonies, and the area still contains dozens of burial mounds, many of which disappear beneath summer gorse and bracken only to re-emerge in the winter.
Oxwich Bay to Three Cliffs Bay
This is a good 4 hour adventure, open sea, river mouth and up river. Spring Tides are best as you need the extra depth to travel up Pennard Pill. You probably have 30 minutes either side of top tide, but the river drains quickly on the ebbing tide. Be prepared for tunnelling winds and you need to navigate carefully to prevent grounding on this meandering water. Watch out for the submerged stepping stones, plenty of water at top tide but will get shallow on the drop.
