Gower
Wales

Rhossili – An Ancient Landscape with so much to offer

Rhossili is a small coastal village within the Gower Peninsula Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) it is situated approximately 17 miles west of Swansea and 23 miles east of Llanelli.

Rhossili is best known for its long sandy beach enjoyed by walkers, surfers and swimmers.  Rhossili Beach is a 4.5 kilometre stretch of clean, golden award-winning sandy beach that is backed by dunes and dominated by the stunning Rhossili Downs beyond.  The wreck of the cargo ship the Helveti, which sank in 1887 can be seen on the beach.

At the southwestern end of the beach is the small tidal island known as Worm’s Head.  At low tide, it is possible to walk to the island via a narrow causeway.

The church St Mary the Virgin was built around 1200 on the clifftop to replace an earlier church that had been built at the base of the downs and was buried beneath sand after a severe storm.  There is a memorial to Petty Officer Edgar Evans, one of the men on the ill-fated 1912 polar expedition with Captain Scott.  Evans made it to the South Pole but perished on the return journey.

The Rhossili downs that are accessed behind the church are over 600 feet at the highest point, and it is the highest part of the peninsular and offers the best far reaching views out to sea, over the beach and inland. It is easy to lose time up there watching the sea birds and the seals.  This is used a lot by hang gliders.

There is a coastal promontory fort known as The Knave at Rhossili and two huts have been located there as well as pottery fragments from c.50BC – 50AD. There are prehistoric stone circles, cairns and burial chambers.  Rhossili Downs is a predominately dry acid soil supports a good biodiversity of flora and fauna including a number of protected species, heather and bracken dominating the flora.  You can enjoy seeing skylarks and chough there as well as Marsh Fritillary butterflies and brown hares.

There are seven Scheduled Ancient Monuments (SAMs) on Rhossili Downs and Cliffs:

  • Round Cairn on Bessie’s Meadow
  • Enclosure on Rhossili Down
  • Burnt Mound on Rhossili Down
  • Lewes Castle Promontory Fort
  • Rhossili Down Round Cairns
  • Old Castle Camp
  • Sweyne’s Howe Chambered Cairns

The facilities at Rhossili are limited; the village has a pub and restaurant, a gallery and a National Trust Visitor Centre and gift shop, there are public toilets.

Rhossili is used in the long running television series Doctor Who and was used in the spin-off Torchwood Miracle Day as well.  It featured as part of the opening ceremony of the 2012 Olympic Games.

There is a Coastguard Lookout at Rhossili.  However, as you may have guessed Rhossili is more about its location than the village itself.  The houses are diverse in style and spread out, and many enjoy the far reaching views that the clifftop location offers them.

Rhossili is special for its Scheduled Ancient Monuments, its long beautiful sandy beach and the wonderful views and countryside.

Photo: Harry Burgess on Pixabay

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