A weekend in Swansea Bay
Sunburnt noses, balmy sea-swims and rows of towels lined out in the sand are scenes one conjures up when thinking of summers in the sunny Mediterranean. But, as we bob along the glistening sea atop our paddle boards, I have to remind myself that we are in fact in Wales, not Majorca. We’ve been invited along to Wales by Visit Swansea Bay, the official tourism board for Swansea, Mumbles and the Gower, to explore the best of what this little corner of the country has to offer. It just so happens that luck is on our side and the sun has graced us with her presence for a perfect May weekend.
Swansea Bay is renowned for it’s craggy coastline and top-tier beaches, with the Gower Penisula being the first part of the UK to be named an Area Of Outstanding Natural Beauty, so it’s no wonder there is a whole smorgasbord of things to do here. Rolling hills, sheltered bays and magical woodlands make for the perfect excuse to get outside and explore, but it’s this outdoorsy paradise paired with top-notch regional produce found in the cosy pubs and bistro’s that sets Swansea apart. Here is our guide to spending a weekend in Swansea Bay.
Disclosure- This post is sponsored as part of a collaboration with Visit Swansea Bay as part of a press trip, where The Curiosity Collection was invited to experience the area. The itinerary was created by Visit Swansea Bay and this post features this as well as our own extra additions. All opinions expressed are our own.
Friday Evening
Check yourself into The King Arthur Hotel for a 2-night stay. This dreamy inn, located in the village of Reynoldston on the stunning Gower penisula, was recently voted one of the Times’ cosiest pubs in the whole of the UK and on arrival we instantly fell for its spell. With over 150 years of history, the pub has undeniable charm, with exposed beams, nautical decor and that warm Welsh hospitality that makes it difficult to leave. We stayed in a lovely king room, with an incredible view looking out across the fields, but there are heaps of options to choose from. Each room or cottage is equipped with everything you could need for your stay and all are equally cosy. After you’ve checked in, head into the restaurant for dinner. Hearty pub classics and seasonal specials grace the menu, with a huge focus on sourcing local Welsh produce where possible. Key had locally sourced Welsh steak, which he couldn’t recommend enough and my vegetarian options were equally delicious. Not to mention, the service was top-notch. After dinner, head into the old pub for a drink, or if the weather is on your side, sit out in the beer garden where you’ll share the space with roaming sheep and ponies.
Saturday Morning
After a comfy nights sleep, head back to the restaurant for breakfast. All rooms at The King Arthur include breakfast in your stay. They do a spread of toast, cereals and jams and you can also order a Welsh or Veggie breakfast which were both delicious. Make sure to order the Laverbread, a regional specialty. After you’ve fueled up, it’s time to hit the beach! Head to Oxwich Bay, where you’ll find sweeping golden sands, dunes and salt marshes, with the glistening sea perfect here for watersports. If you haven’t got your own, rent some stand-up paddleboards from Oxwich Watersports, who are set up on the beach and get out on the water for a couple of hours. If going for a dip isn’t your thing, take a stroll along one of the many walking routes available in the area. Find Visit Swansea’s walking recommendation here, or the The Oxwich Bay Hotel’s walking recommendations here. You’ll be blessed with epic scenery whichever way you turn. If the weather is fantastic like it was when we visited, simply plop yourself on the sand for some reading and wave-watching! There is a private car park on the beach front, but be aware it’s quite expensive, especially if you are driving a van.
Saturday Afternoon
Travel over to Rhossili Bay next and head to The Bay Bistro for the yummiest food and coffee overlooking the bay. They have the dreamiest restaurant, but if you happen to visit on a sunny day, nab one of the benches outside to enjoy your lunch alfresco. We were treated to an absolute feast here, with the warmest welcome from the staff. The bistro focuses on a seasonal menu prepared daily. We had Welsh rarebit (we’d be foolish not to), goats cheese bruschetta and a sharing board of homemade dips and bread, but the star of the show was the brownie, which was perhaps the best we have ever tried! After lunch, take in the beauty that is Rhossili Bay, one of the top-rated beaches in the UK, by following the path that leads from the village down to the seafront. For a longer stroll, head along the path leading to Worm’s Head Island, aptly named due to its worm-like appearance. Along the path you’ll discover epic views across the coastline, with sheep and ponies for company along the way. If the tide is out, you can walk across the causeway to Worm’s Head. Pop into the Worm’s Head Coastwatch house to check tide times and to get the best advice about journeying across. As the tide was in when we visited, we stuck to checking out the views across using the binoculars left out by the Watchhouse. When you’ve finished exploring, take the circular route back to Rhossili village through the Vile fields to really immerse yourself in the Welsh landscape.
Saturday Evening
No trip to the coast is complete without catching the sunset on a beach. Head towards Port Eynon to catch the sunset as well as discovering Gower’s salty smuggling past. The Gower Penisula, with its hidden coves and craggy cliffs was a smuggling haven for rogue pirates and there’s evidence of this all across the coastline. Follow the path across the beach towards the ruined remains of an historic salthouse that was rumoured to be the forefront of a local pirates smuggling operations! Carry on further still to discover the ancient Culver Hole Cave, perhaps once used as a smuggling storehouse! Drive to the The Kings Head Inn for dinner, soaking in the sunset over the rolling countryside as you go. The menu, like a lot of restaurants around Swansea Bay, focuses heavily on serving up seasonal and local produce. Key opted for creamy cod and mash, whilst I went for Gower asparagus and wild mushroom penne. Stay to enjoy the buzz of the busy pub on a Saturday night, with a welsh ale or gin in hand, or choose to head back to enjoy the comfort of your cosy hotel room after a busy day exploring.
Sunday Morning
After another delicious breakfast, check out of your hotel and enjoy a fresh morning walk. The Llanrhidian Saltmarsh is the perfect option for a Sunday stroll. There’s several routes to choose from here but whichever you choose, you’ll be guaranteed dreamy views over the marshes and heaps of wildlife to spot as you go. There is also a tiny road along the saltmarsh that you can drive along instead if you’re strapped for time but don’t want to miss out on the good views! If you sample any Saltmarsh Lamb at any of the restaurants around Swansea Bay, know that this is where the regional delicacy comes from. Back on the road and heading toward Llanmadoc, make a stop at Eastern Farm Shop for some delicious ice-cream. This cute coffee hut serves up some of the best ice-cream around Swansea Bay and the coffee is equally impressive.
Sunday Afternoon
Drive round to Llanmadoc and head inside The Brittania Inn for Sunday lunch. The Brittania is a late 17th century inn, which still has some original features even to this day. The food here is absolutely incredible and we couldn’t recommend the Sunday lunch more. The Glamorgan sausages were the perfect Welsh starter and the nut roast was delicious. Key went for the pork with crackling and was equally impressed. There is truly no shortage of good food to be found around Swansea Bay, which is part of why this area is growing in popularity for holiday-goers. If you have time before heading home, opt to take another walk after lunch such as this one recommended by Visit Swansea Bay or jump back in the car and drive towards Three Cliffs Bay. Three Cliffs Bay is a beach like no other. Tall sand dunes, a winding river across a luscious valley and the iconic 3 limestone cliffs towering high make this beach truly special. What’s more, accessing the beach feels like an adventure. Whether you take the steep, tough terrain route from Three Cliffs Holiday Park or the long, winding route from The Gower Heritage Centre, the fact you have to work hard for your visit adds to the allure of visiting somewhere completely unique. Either head home from here, or, if you have a cheeky habit of prolonging your weekends like we do, stay the night at Three Cliffs Holiday Park. You can take your own tent or camper, or they have adorable glamping yurts to stay in. The view from the top of the campsite overlooking Three Cliffs Bay is totally worth the stay!
There is so much to see and do in Swansea Bay that this is simply just one version of how you could spend a weekend there. What makes Swansea so special is that not only is the landscape so beautifully unique, but the area is incredibly rich in culture. Rolling countryside, vast sandy beaches and an array of special wildlife provide a spectacular backdrop to get outside for a stroll, and you’ll be rewarded at the end of it with delicious restaurants and cosy pubs ready to welcome you in.
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