The Gower peninsula was the very first place in the British Isles to be designated an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty way back in 1956. The peninsula is blessed with one of the most varied topographies of any area of the UK, its South coast is famous for its miles of sandy beaches, towering limestone cliffs and secluded coves. As you travel further down the peninsula the scenery takes on a more rugged appearance eventually culminating in the spectacular promontory known as Worms Head, one of the most spectacular sunset photography locations in the UK. Inland from the beaches are beautiful woodlands, vast tracts of moorland such as Cefn Bryn - the 600ft high ridge which locals refer to as the backbone of the Gower peninsular. North of this divide the farmland slopes away down to the salt marshes, famous for their delicious salt marsh lamb, beyond which lie the rich muds of the of the Loughor estuary - even more famous for its cockles.
The peninsula's varied geology and topography and mild Climate has given rise to a wealth of natural habitats. Diverse flora and fauna are in evidence throughout, and the peninsula hosts many rare species. About one third of Gower's land area is designated as either nature reserves or Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs). More than 700 different species of vascular plants have been recorded here.
The Gower peninsular, or Penrhyn Gŵyr as it is known in Welsh, is rich in ancient history. In 1823 Paviland cave yielded an Upper Paleolithic-era human male skeleton which was the first human fossil to have been found anywhere in the world, and is still the oldest ceremonial burial known anywhere in Western Europe at over 33,000 years old. There are 8 ancient standing stones to find and many caves which were inhabited up the bronze age. A number of iron age forts sprung up on various headlands and hills before the Norman invasion brought more substantial castles to the landscape (6 in total).
