Wales's Best Kept Secret – The Gower Peninsula

It has been called Wales’ best kept secret but now more and more people are coming to experience the delights of The Gower Peninsula – Britain’s first Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

This beautiful area of varied scenery 20 miles long and about three miles wide is shielded from the world by the city of Swansea which is itself undergoing a transformation in its aim to become a vibrant European destination by 2020.

It is also the birthplace of the famous poet Dylan Thomas whose birth house is being taken back to its condition when bought as a new house in 1914 to be let as a themed holiday experience.

Quite rightly Gower residents have fought hard to protect their inheritance so that new development has been kept to a minimum. Even so there are plenty of accommodation options from the award winning Fairyhill restaurant and hotel to campsites in stunning locations with sea views such as Northill Farm and Nicholaston Farm which regularly rate in the top ten of polls organised by national newspapers.

Gower’s best known attractions are its unique south facing beaches with Three Cliffs and Rhossili fighting over the right to be the jewel in the crown.

At present Three Cliffs leads by a short head after coming second in last year’s ITV programme Britain’s Favourite View. However, they are not the only ones with many sheltered coves which are often deserted even in high summer.

In such a compact area the opportunity for all the year round activities abound – choose from walking, kite boarding, surfing, sailing, coasteering, climbing, abseiling and much, much more. Add to that the big city attractions of shops, museums, a revamped water theme park at the LC and the Liberty Stadium – home to Swansea City Football Club and the Ospreys Rugby and you are spoiled for choice.

If you are looking for somewhere that offers activities and accommodation close to both the city and Gower then Clyne Farm Centre has a lot to offer including self catering cottages, a small campsite with tipis for hire and activities including horseriding and Challenge Valley – the muddiest assault course in the world!!
Geoff Haden, Clyne Farm Centre©
Article originally published in Cottage Holidays