One of my most favourite places for a coastal escape consistently ranks among the best beaches in Wale(Image: Portia Jones )
We all love a beach day here in Wales, even in winter. Thankfully, we’re truly blessed to have so many sandy shores and isolated bays to choose from.
As an overworked travel writer (my editors may disagree), I always love a day at a dreamy beach away from the tyranny of emails and deadlines.
One of my most favourite places for a coastal escape consistently ranks among the best beaches in Wales and has now been named the best beach in the UK by TripAdvisor, and it completely lives up to the hype.
The three miles of sandy beach and the famous Worm’s Head, which overlooks Rhossili Bay, often top lists of the best beaches in the UK and worldwide, so this latest accolade is no real surprise.
TripAdvisor users have praised this three-mile stretch of golden sand for its expansive, clean sand and dramatic coastal views.
Back in 2017, Rhossili Bay was named one of the top 10 beaches in the world, the only one in Europe to make the list, alongside beaches in Thailand, Hawaii and Brazil. In 2024, it was named among Lonely Planet’s 100 best beaches in the world, and in 2013, TripAdvisor users voted it the world’s 10th best beach. The Timeshas also nominated Rhossili as ‘The UK’s No.1 dog-friendly beach’.
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Loved by locals and tourists, it’s managed by the National Trust and is ideal for walking, surfing, and viewing Worm’s Head, a tidal island.
At low tide, there is a huge expanse of beach where you can sunbathe, paddle and surf, when the Welsh weather is behaving, of course. Be aware, there is no Lifeguard patrol on this beach, so always dip with caution.
You might well recognise Rhossili from several TV shows, as it’s a renowned filming location in Wales and featured in productions like the BBC’s Doctor Who (New Earth), Torchwood (Children of Earth), and, most recently, the 2025 drama The Guest.
In one of the most tense parts of The Guest episode two, the two main characters Fran (Eve Myles) and Ria (Gabrielle Creevy) are seen walking along the craggy, rocky outcrop – Penrhyn Gwyr, or Worms Head on a gloomy, blustery day.
I’ve done this jaw-dropping hike, and it’s one of many scenic struts along the Gower Peninsula section of the Wales Coast Path, which has a series of easy, moderate and difficult walks to suit every ability.
Several popular walks in this area include Oxwich to Pennard Cliffs, Rhossili to Port Eynon, Langland Bay to Caswell Bay and Worm’s Head Walk. From superstar gigs to cosy pubs, find out What’s On in Wales by signing up to our newsletter here
The gorgeous scenery includes unspoilt coastline, limestone cliffs, beautiful headlands, and golden beaches.
One of the most loved walks is the Worms Head Walk, a family-friendly six-mile trail near the National Trust shop. This route allows you to take in the stunning views across Rhossili Bay and venture out to Worm’s Head – two small and pretty islands off the headland of Rhossili that are joined to the coast at low tide by a causeway.
It’s one of my favourite walks in Wales, and if you want to attempt it, I should point out that Worms Head is a tidal island, which means the sea cuts it off twice a day. Yikes!
So do yourself a favour and check the tide times before you set off. You’ll find crossing info at the Information Point near the start of the causeway, so make sure you are fully prepared.
Also, leave the flimsy daps at home. The terrain is rocky and a bit uneven, so sturdy walking boots are very much the order of the day unless you fancy an unintended sit down on the stones.
To get going, park up at Rhossili car park, Swansea SA3 1PP. From there, follow the coastal path along the cliffs towards the gorgeous South Gower Nature Reserve.
Once you reach the causeway and the tide is playing nicely, you can hop across and soak up those absolutely lush views from the head.
Feeling adventurous? You can tiptoe across Devil’s Bridge to reach the middle and outer head. Just bear in mind that the outer head is off limits from March to October while the seabirds are nesting.
While it’s well known as a beauty spot, The Gower coast has long been shaped by the sea, and its history is full of stories about sailing, smuggling and occasional piracy.
According to the Enjoy Gower website, in 986 AD, raiders destroyed Llangennith Priory. Local tradition says that Viking ships landed in the bay, and that the people of Rhossili burned them in response. While the details are hard to prove, the stories have remained part of the area’s colourful folklore.
Thanks to its remote location, Rhossili Bay also apparently developed a reputation as a useful spot for smugglers.
One of the best known was William Stote, the innkeeper of Middleton, who is said to have locked a customs officer in his stable. Contraband was hidden across western Gower, and reports suggest that specially dug cellars were later discovered on Rhossili Down.
Customs raids were frequent, and on one occasion, 101 casks of brandy, rum and wine were left behind on the beach.
Alongside these stories, there was also a significant trade in limestone. Much of the stone quarried on Gower’s south coast was shipped to Devon, where it could be landed more cheaply than sourcing it locally.
Lewis’ Topographical Dictionary of Wales records that large quantities were also sent to other parts of Wales. The last limestone boats left Rhossili in 1899, and with the arrival of rail transport, the trade sadly came to an end.
If you want to make a weekend of it, you could try to book a stay at the wildly popular Old Rectory as seen on the BBC’s The Guest.
Anyone who has visited Rhossili will surely have spotted the isolated white house perched above the beach.
The period property sits on a raised terrace in the heart of the dramatic landscape, offering uninterrupted views of the sea and the tidal island of Worm’s Head.
As reported by Wales Online, fans of the show can book a stay at The Old Rectory through the National Trust – as long as you are prepared to wait, probably months, if not years, to secure your stay in high season.
