Gower Peninsula Day Trip in Wales

It’s sunny in Wales. Despite a rainy forecast, I’ve lucked out with gorgeous weather. And it’s a good thing, because I’m heading off on a Gower Peninsula day trip in Wales along the southern coast.

What exactly am I doing in Wales? I’ve been in Cardiff for two days to speak about social media at a Traverse travel blogging conference.

Today I’m taking advantage of some post-conference experiences Visit Wales has organized. I’m off on a Gower Peninsula day trip in Wales with See Wales, and I can’t wait to…well…see Wales.

I board a mini bus at the National Museum in Cardiff’s city center, and soon I’m traveling through green fields as I head west.

An hour later I have time for a quick stop at the Dylan Thomas Centre in Swansea, where I learn about the life and work of the famous Welsh poet and writer.

Langland Bay

Inspired by Thomas’ words and love of his land, I travel south to Langland Bay in hopes of discovering the legendary beauty of the Gower Peninsula.

The bay’s wide brush of sand welcomes me with frothy waves while cheerful beach huts look on from the shoreline.

I walk the coastal trail that hugs the land around it, absorbing the sunny yellow gorse while wind gusts about me.

The cliffs offer dramatic views of the crags along the sea, and as I progress I start to understand why Dylan Thomas loved this part of the world so much.

Caswell Bay

At the end of the path, I find myself in the protected inlet of Caswell Bay. Shielded from the gales, this apron of sand is full of happy dogs and people playing in the warm Welsh sunshine.

I get a hot chocolate at one of the little cafes along the shore, rolling the sweetness around on my tongue as puddles ripple in the breeze.

Parc Le Breos

Back on the mini bus, my Gower Peninsula day trip in Wales continues as I travel inland to the grassy expanse of Parc Le Breos. A former medieval deer park, the wooded area smells of fresh spring grass and wild garlic.

I start to walk along the path, but am stopped short by the sight of a Neolithic burial chamber.

As my tour guide explains, this pile of stones was built thousands of years ago as a final resting place for the people of the Gower Peninsula.

There may not be much to see now, but a tangible sense of mystery remains.

Rhossili

From Parc Le Breos, my Gower Peninsula day trip in Wales takes me to Rhossili on the west coast of the Gower Peninsula.

To my left is Worm’s Head, a stunning rock formation steeped in myth. According to my guide, the formation looks like a dragon or snake, and is fabled to ward off seafaring evils.

To my right is Rhossili Beach, a powdery expanse of award-winning coastline that begs me to come and play.

After a quick pub lunch overlooking the sea, I walk along a coastal trail to get a better view of Worm’s Head. All around me are the sounds of the breeze and the quiet contemplation of the sheep in the fields.

I make it to a vista point, where I stare in awe of the raised head of the outcropping.

The only downside of this part of the trip is that there isn’t sufficient time to explore either Worm’s Head or the beach, let alone both.

It’s one of the usual perils of a day trip, but as always, something has to be sacrificed to see so much in one go.

Weobley Castle

Hurrying back to the mini bus, I hop on and travel to Weobley Castle on the northern part of the Gower Peninsula. Wales is home to hundreds of castles, so it’s fitting to visit one on my tour.

Weobley Castle is perfect for exploring, with lots of gracefully decaying stone walls and little passageways leading to secret inner chambers. It also affords picture-frame views of the salt flats below, where wild horses graze in the fading sun.