Serpents, seascapes and shipwrecks walk

Walking trail

Follow our circular walk past the National Trust shop, along one of Wales best beaches taking in the beautiful views as you go.

Surfers on the sand of Rhossili Bay, Gower, Swansea, Wales.

Map

Map route for Serpents, Seascapes & Shipwrecks walk
Begin trail

Start:

Rhosili, grid ref: SS413881

1

With your back to the bus stop, turn right and walk along the road, continuing between the car park and the Worms Head Hotel. The National Trust shop is a little further on your left.

2

The National Trust shop is in one of the former coastguard cottages. The powerful tides and shifting sands caused many ship wrecks. The remains of the Helvetia can still be seen on Rhossili beach at low tide.

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3

Continue to follow the path through the gateway on the surfaced path.

4

To the right of the path there are a series of mounds. These are the remains of an Iron Age fort. The magnificent views from here meant the inhabitants of the fort could see their enemies for miles around.

5

As you continue along the surfaced track you will see fields and hedge banks which are part of a medieval open field strip system. The Normans introduced this system of farming in the 12th century.

6

Where the surfaced track bears sharp left, walk straight on following a wide grass path towards the coastguard lookout where you will have spectacular view of the Worms Head.

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7

The coastguard lookout was built in Victorian times and is now manned by volunteers.

8

Once you have reached the Coastguard lookout, you can make the choice to cross onto the island or return to the start by the route you've travelled.

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End:

Rhosili, grid ref: SS413881

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Serpents, seascapes and shipwrecks walk

Terrain

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The walk is on a gentle gradient sloping downhill from the start and uphill on the return leg. The coast path here is a disabled access track and therefore level and even. The final 110yds (100m) or so to the coastguard lookout is on very short/flat grass and uphill. Accessible to all. No stiles to cross, one gate at the start. Dogs are allowed as long as they are under control as livestock (usually sheep) graze here most of the year round.

Serpents, seascapes and shipwrecks walk

Contact us

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Telephone: 01792 390707
 
 
Serpents, seascapes and shipwrecks walk

How to get here

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Directions via Google Maps
Address
Rhosili, Swansea, SA3 1PR
By train

Alight at Swansea and catch a bus to the bus station.

By road

From Swansea (J42) take the A483 to Swansea. Continue on to the A4067. At Black Pill, turn on to the B4436. Turn right to keep on the B4436 at Pennard before turning left on to the A4118. At Scurlage, take the B4247 to Rhosili.

From Swansea (J47) Take the A483 and then take the A484, Turn left to Gowerton. At lights, take the B4295 to Llanrhidian. Then take the B4271 and follow signs for Reynoldston. Continue to A4118 and turn right. At Scurlage, take the B4247 to Rhosili.
 

By foot

Rhosili is situated right on the Wales Coast Path and at the end of the Gower Way.

By bus

There are regular services from Swansea to Rhosili. (Monday-Saturday, Sunday (summer service only). Services 118/119 (NAT) and 114 (Sundays First Cymru). Additional services connect quieter parts of Gower with the 118 and 116 (Swansea-North Gower service).

By bicycle

Take the National Cycleway Route 04 to Upper Killay from Swansea or Gowerton. From there, switch to the A4118 to Scurlage, Take the B4247 to Rhosili. Please note that Gower’s roads can be busy and are not suitable for family cycling.

Serpents, seascapes and shipwrecks walk

Facilities and access

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  • Toilets - between car park and National Trust shop and visitor centre (not National Trust)
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