Why visit the National Trust at Rhossili bay.
Rach and I visited The National Trust at Rhossili bay in August 2021 as part of our “Tour of Wales” in our Motorhome, we were blown away with the beautiful and breathtaking views this Part of the Gower Peninsula has to offer.
There is so much to do and see that we would suggest allocating your full day to take advantage of what the National Trust has to offer here at Rhossili Bay.
Is it easy to travel to Rhossili Bay National Trust
We travelled to Rhossili Bay in our 8 Metre Motorhome. The Journey in was good with the latter miles being more narrow roads, but careful and patient driving will get you there safe and happy.
The main car park is large and there are a few spaces for Motorhome,’s but the over-spill car park field has plenty of room for Motorhome’s and on the bay side of the field you can park up and have some great views of the bay from your Motorhome.
This National Trust attraction can get very busy and we would suggest getting there early to ensure you have enough time to see all it has to offer.
Here we are all parked up in the Main car park. There are charges to park:-
Charges apply 24 hours: Car park prices: for cars – up to 2hrs £3.00, over 2hrs £6. For motorhomes – up to 2hrs £4.00, over 2hrs £8.00. Free to National Trust members, please scan your cards at the Pay & Display machines.
What is there to do when you visit The National trust Rhossili Bay
Worm’s Head
Worm’s Head is a headland, at Rhossili, Wales. It is the furthest westerly point of the Gower Peninsula The name “Worm’s Head” is derived from an Old English word ‘wyrm’ for ‘sea serpent’.
The headland comprises three islands: the Inner Head, the Middle Head which features a collapsed sea cave and is known as the Devil’s Bridge, and the Outer Head. In total, it is approximately one mile long. The Inner Head is up to 200 yards wide. Worm’s Head is only accessible on foot for 2+1⁄2 hours either side of low tide, fatal to attempt to wade or swim to when the causeway from the mainland is flooded. Ensure you plan your visit time so you don’t miss the opportunity to cross over. Check the low tide times prior to visit.
Several visitors have been rescued by the coastguard after getting stranded on Worm’s Head by the incoming tide. A voluntary organisation National Coastwatch Institution man the Worms lookout station and can be seen with binoculars looking to see if all visitors have departed the head before the tide is in. We were too late on our visit to cross to the Worm’s Head, but we will be returning and this will Number one on our agenda to complete.
Link to the NCI web page for info and contact details.
Walks
A walk across the headland takes in stunning views across Rhossili Bay and out to Worm’s Head before leading back through the Vile; the remnants of an ancient landscape.
This is a moderate walk of 3.5 miles. We thoroughly enjoyed this walk, one you must take at a lesuirly pace and take in all the sights on offer.
- (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. The National Trust shop is in one of the former coastguard cottages.
- (2) Looking to your right you will see the three-mile-long beach of Rhossili. 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.
- (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 on your left 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 a spectacular view of the Worms Head. The coastguard lookout was built in Victorian times and is now staffed by volunteers.
Congratulations you are about half way through the walk
- (7) At the lookout, turn left along the cliff top to join the path that runs alongside a stone wall. The path heads down a short slope to a kissing gate. On your left inside the wall is an area known as The Vile. The Vile is a rare survivor of the medieval open field strip system introduced by the Normans during the 12th Century.
- (8) Continue to follow the path alongside the wall. After a few minutes the path will descend quite steeply and then follows the wall sharply to the left. Follow the well worn path through the rose, ascending gradually. Be careful on
the stones as they are often slippery. Listen out for yellow hammers along this section of path. They can often be seen perched on the top of blackthorn bushes, resplendent and easily identified in their canary yellow plumage. - (9) Keep to the left and the path eventually brings you to a metal ladder and wooden steps over a wall. Cross the wall and follow the footpath as it heads back inland to Middleton. Shortly before you reach Middleton take a sharp left at the fork in the track and walk back through The Vile to Rhossili village and the end of the walk.
Sunflower Fields
As you are on the headland walk heading towards the worm’s head, inset on the left you will see the entrance to the Sunflower fields. There is a small charge to get in and you can pick your own sunflowers for a small price per sunflower.
Here you can see Rach is buried in the field of Sunflowers, as she is looking for her perfect Sunflower to pick.
There is also a lovely Arch of Sunflowers where you can take the perfect picture for your memories.
There are two fields, the one near the entrance was setup asa Gruffalo Trail for kids.
Also at the entrance was a van selling light refreshments such as hot & cold drinks and Cakes.
Beach
The Award winning sandy beach at Rhossili Bay stretches for 3 miles and whether the tide is in or out there is always some sand showing. Access to the beach is a steep decline down and maybe not suitable for everyone to get down.
The north end of the Beach is very popular with Surfers.
Visible at low tide and almost completely submerged in the sand, the rotting timbers of the Helvetia shipwreck rise out of the Gower beach. The remains of the Helvetia, a Norwegian oak barque, have become a landmark of Rhossili, attracting visitors from all over keen to catch a glimpse of the relic from a bygone era.
Places to eat and drink
There are five main places for you to Eat and drink, all very close to each other, and whilst we didn’t eat out at any of these places on our visit, there were plenty of visitors that were using all five.
- The Bay Bistro & Coffee Shop (4.5 * Google rating)
Year round fresh food and great coffee in the breathtaking village of Rhossili. Eat inside or out and enjoying the sweeping views of Rhossili Bay .
- The Lookout (4.9* Google rating)
- Helvetia (4.3* Google rating)
There is no need to specifically advertise this place. Location, beach view and a good snack before or after your day adventures. Sit back and admire the beauty.
- The Worm’s Head (4.1* Google rating)
On a cliff overlooking Rhossili Bay and Worm’s Head. here’s a casual restaurant with a terrace and sea views.
- The Causeway (3.1* Google rating)
Nice little Cafe/Shop near the car park at Worm’s Head.
- Plenty of options to choose from where you can choose from a light snack lunch to a full hearty main meal.
Would we Visit Rhossili Bay National Trust Again
Absolutely we would, this beautiful visitor attraction in the Gower Peninsula is a Gem of a National Trust place. With lovely walks along the headway you get to see the most spectacular views, we really want to cross over onto the Worm’s Head next visit and enjoy all that this gem has to offer all over again.
