Three Cliffs Bay Walk
This Three Cliffs Bay walk is easy going but one which I find sets me up for the day. In just 20 minutes you will have walked through farm land, woodland and moor land and will find yourself admiring a picture postcard view of Three Cliffs Bay.
Don’t forget your camera, especially for sunrise and sunset! For those of you not staying with us you are welcome to use this walk but as there are no rights of way through the grounds, please just park at the National Trust car park at Penmaen.
Distance covered: 0.8 miles
Average time: 20 minutes
Terrain: Easy (Walk is suitable for pushchairs and wheel chairs but ask us about unlocking the gate.)
Directions from the hotel:
Walk out of the front door and turn right, then across the grassy field until you reach the track at the far end. Follow the track passing the trout ponds on your right and valley gardens on your left. Immediately after this there is a crossroads – take the track straight on between the fields and through the woods.
At the woodland’s end you will cross a style next to a gate, here the track will bear left taking you past a small pink cottage end onto the road and then through a grassy car park.
When you reach the tarmac village lane turn left over the cattle grid. Look out for Penmaen Church on your right.
The church you see today was built to replace an abandoned church located on Penmaen Burrows which was besanded in the early 14th Century. The new church is dedicated to John the Baptist – look out for the fine stained glass window in the north wall depicting the saint, and a second depicting St. Paul. Also in the north wall is a gravestone dated 1623 which was discovered beneath the church altar during extensive restoration work In 1854, it reads:
“Here resteth the body of David the son of David the sonne of Richard the sonne of Nicholas the sonne of Rys teh sonne of Leison teh sonne of Rys the sonne of Morgan Ychan the sonne of Morgan the son of Cradocke the sonne of Iustin ap Gwrgan Sometime Lord of Glamorgan interred the 21 day of August in the year of our blessed redemption 1623.”
Now cross the main road and continue for 100m down the lane, take the first and only right turn. Follow the road until you find yourself at the lookout above Three Cliffs Bay.
If you look south to the opposite Headland you should just make out the grassy banks of the Iron Age hill fort on the headland. The fort was replaced by the more substantial stone-built Norman castle which lies just out of sight further up the valley.
If you have the time, why not make your way down onto the sands before heading back to Parc-le-Breos by the same route.
If you would like to make this walk into an hour-and-a-half circular route, just have a look at the Three Cliffs and Pennard Castle walk.
Download This Page for Offline Use
Mobile signal is intermittent throughout the Gower Peninsula, so we suggest downloading this page to your phone before embarking on your walk. This ensures you’ll have all the information you need, even when reception is unreliable. Follow the instructions below based on your device and browser.
iPhone (Safari)
1. Open this webpage in Safari.
2. Tap the **Share** button (square with an upward arrow at the bottom of the screen).
3. Scroll down and select **Add to Reading List**.
4. This page will now be available offline in your Safari **Reading List** (accessible via the bookmarks tab).
Android (Chrome)
1. Open this webpage in the Chrome browser.
2. Tap the **Menu** button (three dots in the top-right corner).
3. Select **Download**.
4. The page will be saved and can be accessed offline in the **Downloads** section of Chrome.
Samsung Internet Browser
1. Open this webpage in Samsung Internet.
2. Tap the **Menu** button (three horizontal lines in the bottom-right corner).
3. Select **Save webpage**.
4. Access the saved page by opening the **Menu** and selecting **Saved pages**.
By following these steps, you’ll have uninterrupted access to this information throughout your adventure in the Gower Peninsula. Enjoy your walk!