Three Cliffs Bay

Three Cliffs Bay beach is one of Wales more spectacular shorelines. The bays sand dunes, salt marsh and of course, the signature three limestone cliffs make three cliffs beach a particularly photogenic part of the Gower Coast Path and a great spot to stop for a picnic. Situated on the south coast of the Gower Peninsula the beach is an important asset for locals and visitors and routinely qualifies for Blue Flag status. There are many individual beaches that make up this bay including Pobbles Bay, situated to the east of the Three Cliffs, and Tor Bay to the west. The beaches are separated at high tide but are accessible to each other at low tide on foot over the sands. Three Cliffs Bay is effectively part of the inlet of Oxwich Bay. At low tide, Three Cliffs Bay forms a continuous sandy beach with Oxwich Bay beach to the west. They only exist as separate beaches at high tide. Inland about 500 yards from the main beach on high ground above Pennard Pill is Pennard Castle. Built in the early 12th century, it is imbued with legends of fairies. It is also the only locality in Britain for yellow whitlow grass. The sea cliffs are limestone, about 20 m high, and are a popular destination for rock climbers with 20 climbs in the lower grades and the largest of the Three Cliffs is easily climbed if approached from the grassy base. In June 2006 the BBC’s ‘Holidays at Home’ programme declared Three Cliffs Bay to be Britain’s best beach and in a recent programme broadcast in the UK the view over Three Cliffs Bay was nominated for “Britain’s Best View”. Three Cliffs Bay also appears in a music video entry for Red Hot Chili Peppers, made by Swansea film company, Studio8. It was also used in the opening titles of the 80’s TV sitcom Me and My Girl and has also been used in Channel 4’s Skins as well as an ITV advert titled ‘The Brighter Side’. The walk from the nearby car park through trees and pathways meandering through the river bed towards the ocean is just as lovely as the beach itself and dogs are allowed on the beach all year round.