Rhossili

Tuesday, May 21, 2013
Rhossili, Wales, United Kingdom
We arrived at The Worm's Head Hotel at about 4.30 pm and got shown to our room. Wow - what a view! Despite the wind, and the chill, we donned the cold weather gear and headed off to check out the point and Worm's Head Island. Historically named 'Wurm' meaning 'dragon' by Viking invaders, the promontory, Worm's Head, is shaped like a giant sea-serpent and marks
the most westerly tip of Gower . The island is joined to the mainland by a rocky causeway which is extremely slippery and accessible for 2 and a half hours before and after low tide. We didn't make it across the causeway, but we did plenty of walking I assure you!

That first evening, the walk was very leisurely (and flat!) and only took about 50 minutes. There were heaps of walkers right up until dark - which was about 10pm. There's a car park across from the hotel which was full of day trippers. We had to park there too - and had to pay 3 pounds like everyone else. After our walk, we adjourned to the bar for more local ale and cider. Some of the cider is quite strong - as in over 7% alcohol! We'd opted for half-board at 85 pound a night - so we had 30 pound to spend on dinner and drinks. Bryan had duck and I had pork cooked in cider - was very nice too. We decided to stay another night, if the following day was fine, and walk over Rhossili Downs.

Well the following day was even colder and the wind was even stronger - but we decided to stay anyway . After the usual English pub breakfast - cereal, fruit, juice, tea, bacon, sausage, black pudding, mushrooms, egg and toast - it was on with the hiking boots and all the warm gear, and off up the hill! The first kilometer was all up hill, but the views from the top were amazing. Hopefully I can add the video Bryan took - if not, I'll put it on Facebook. There are old ruins and burial chambers scattered around on the Downs, but we stuck to the path (even when the ponies wouldn't move!). Getting back down at the other end wasn't much fun as it was so steep, but we made it. There is a very English, and quite ugly, caravan park there called Hillend - we stopped into Eddy's for a cup of coffee. The walk across the top was 3.46 kms and took us 1 hour 24 mins (Bryan wore the heart rate monitor with the GPS).

We didn't carry on to Burry Holmes, but walked back along the beach. There were heaps of shells, but also a lot of rubbish. I guess it doesn't matter where you are - people drop their rubbish ... grrrr. The walk back was 3.6 kms and took 1 hour and 5 minutes - the last 15 mins was getting back up the stairs and the cliff path!

After a rest in our room, we set off for a short walk around Tears Point and Falls Bay and completed the loop via the footpath through the farms to Middleton and back along the road. A mere 4.4 kms in 1 and a half hours. Needless to say we did NO walking the following day!

The only things wrong with the hotel were:- no wi-fi in the bedroom or public areas (had to go to a separate 'lounge'); and the bar staff got the chitties for our room mixed up, and then the receptionist said drinks weren't included in half board! I had definitely asked about that, as it seemed too good a deal. We won the day.

I forgot to say - Rhossili Bay has been voted in the top 10 beaches in the world in various surveys. It was a great view - but Aussie beaches generally have better sand and better surf (and better weather!!). But I loved it
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Comments

Paul O'Dea
2013-05-25

Countryside looks amazing guys, feeling a wee bit envious. Sounds like you are having a great time. Keep the photo's coming.

Rae
2013-05-26

Loving your blog and photo's. Just as well you are doing all that walking with all that food you have been eating.

Tess Walsh
2013-05-26

I see the Wurm's Head!! Am so going everywhere you have been, Anne!

anne.nathan
2013-05-26

You know I said the bar staff got our chitties mixed up etc? And I said we won the day? Well we didn't, as they charged another 19 pound 75 onto my card!! We've sent them an email, and we'll get in touch with the bank on Tuesday (bank holiday tomorrow). Leaves a bit of a sour taste. My Trip Adviser comments will not be very nice if we don't get a credit.

anneandsteve
2013-05-28

Sneaky Buggers... Hope you get it sorted

anneandsteve
2013-05-28

Looks beautiful Anne Love to go there when we next go back to the UK

2025-02-16

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