Rhossili Bay: Hours, Address, Rhossili Bay Reviews: 5/5
Rhossili Bay
Rhossili Bay
5
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Monday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Tuesday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Wednesday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Thursday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Friday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Saturday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Sunday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
About
Rhossili Bay lies at the western end of the beautiful Gower peninsula. 3 miles of golden sands, iconic landscapes including Worms Head and Rhossili Down and history everywhere- from neolithic through to the more recent, including home to Edgar Evans. Its a walker's dream with routes in all directions, including the Welsh coastal path. The beach is dog friendly all year round and the whole area is beautiful whatever the weather. Today, the National Trust cares for 2 of the 3 miles of the beach, Rhossili Down, and most of the coastline between Rhossili and Port Eynon. (26 miles of Gower coastline in total). The landscape is free. The village of Rhossili also contains other private businesses. The car park is free to NT members during the day. Non members are currently charged £5 per day (car). There is no overnight parking/camping. All profits from the car park go towards keeping the area beautiful. Please note that the toilets are owned and operated by Swansea Council.
Suggested duration
More than 3 hours
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Top ways to experience Rhossili Bay and nearby attractions
The area
Best nearby
Restaurants
7 within 3 miles
The Bay Bistro and Coffee House
838
0.3 mi$$ - $$$ • Quick Bites • Cafe • British
The Lookout
81
0.2 mi$ • Cafe • British • Vegetarian Friendly
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524
0.2 mi$$ - $$$ • Quick Bites • Bar • British
The Causeway
20
0.2 mi$ • Quick Bites • Cafe
Eddy's Cafe Bar
140
1.6 mi$$ - $$$ • Quick Bites • Cafe • British
King's Head Pub
646
2.2 mi$$ - $$$ • Quick Bites • Bar • British
Vintage Van Selling Ice Cream
0.3 mi
Attractions
18 within 6 miles
Worm's Head
287
0.7 miGeologic Formations
St Mary the Virgin Church
24
0.3 miHistoric Sites • Architectural Buildings
Llangennith Beach
535
2.2 miBeaches
Fall Bay
28
0.6 miBodies of Water
BRD Gravity Centre (Board Riding Development Mountain Boarding Centre)
101
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2,072
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Castles
Contribute
Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
5.0
1,899 reviews
Excellent
1,649
Very good
206
Average
30
Poor
9
Terrible
5
Owen B
Rochester, UK9 contributions
Aug 2021 • Couples
Wonderful walks, glorious scenery; in fact everything we’ve come to expect from the National Trust!
Except . . . Why are women and girls expected to queue ten, sometimes twenty, times as long for the toilets as ‘gentlemen’? For heaven’s sake cannot something be done? Can we not make the toilets a mixed area of urinals for men and a large block of female only and unisex cubicles? It’s an embarrassment at present, as a man, to have to walk past a long queue of women and children, and stroll straight into the ‘gents’ and have my choice of cubicles, never mind urinals! It is grossly unfair and MUST be addressed.
I am a life member of the NT and love it dearly, but I am disappointed at how this is being managed. How can you possibly charge a family a large sum at the gate and then expect a specific contingent to wait half an hour and more before they can start to enjoy the experience they’ve bought into? It also puts added pressure on the cafés nearby, as people get discouraged and look elsewhere!
I love my National Trust, but I blush for its ineptitude in resolving a long-standing problem! There need to be ‘female-only’ loos, yes there do, but mens are lavishly catered for - there has to be a solution that sees a small area for urinals and an expanded area for ‘mixed’, lockable cubicles.
We love the Gower and we love Rhossili, but we would like to see a little bit of change down there on the toilet block!
Except . . . Why are women and girls expected to queue ten, sometimes twenty, times as long for the toilets as ‘gentlemen’? For heaven’s sake cannot something be done? Can we not make the toilets a mixed area of urinals for men and a large block of female only and unisex cubicles? It’s an embarrassment at present, as a man, to have to walk past a long queue of women and children, and stroll straight into the ‘gents’ and have my choice of cubicles, never mind urinals! It is grossly unfair and MUST be addressed.
I am a life member of the NT and love it dearly, but I am disappointed at how this is being managed. How can you possibly charge a family a large sum at the gate and then expect a specific contingent to wait half an hour and more before they can start to enjoy the experience they’ve bought into? It also puts added pressure on the cafés nearby, as people get discouraged and look elsewhere!
I love my National Trust, but I blush for its ineptitude in resolving a long-standing problem! There need to be ‘female-only’ loos, yes there do, but mens are lavishly catered for - there has to be a solution that sees a small area for urinals and an expanded area for ‘mixed’, lockable cubicles.
We love the Gower and we love Rhossili, but we would like to see a little bit of change down there on the toilet block!
Written August 18, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Linda M
Guilsborough, UK425 contributions
Jan 2020 • Couples
We started off parking in National Trust car park. It was £5 all day but money is all spent on the bay upkeep (it was £3 for up to 2 hours). We headed left out of the car park and walked to Worm’s Head outcrop. They were amazing views and a great experience. We had a fantastic walk just following the coast path around to the left and then at Fall Bay followed the footpath back to the village. We stopped at The Causeway, a great dog friendly cafe for a panini, chips and hot chocolate and then crossed over and followed the path down to the beach. We saw the old wreck from 1800s and the dogs loved the space. Beach was lovely and clean. We had a good stretch up and turned back before it got too dark and then back to the car and our home for the week in Llanmadoc, 20 mins away. Three Cliffs Bay tomorrow 😉. Try Rhossii, I’m sure you’ll love it too. We missed the seals and porpoise but enjoyed red kite, buzzard and sparrow hawk. Give me a helpful vote if you think it was 👍🏻
Written January 5, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Sarah Shaw
7 contributions
Aug 2020 • Family
This was a 2 day stop off on our way to a family holiday in Tenby. Our first visit to the Gower Peninsula and WOW, it didn’t disappoint. We were lucky to visit Rhossili for sunset, to see the beautiful sunflowers (not quite in full blown) with the amazing Worms Head backdrop, and picnic on the beach. As a National Trust member parking was free and it was relatively quiet. Will definitely be going back!
Written August 5, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Nick H
Caldicot, UK3 contributions
Jul 2020 • Family
£5 to park at Hillend campsite car park, which seemed a bit fruity given toilets were closed. 5 min walk from car park through the dunes to a very disappointing beach.
Lots of people have told me how amazing and beautiful Rhossili Bay is, but I just didn’t get it. Negatives for me are:
1. stones at top of beach and scattered throughout soft sand, which I REALLY hate because they hurt your feet
2. quite a lot of litter on beach and at waters edge - hardly surprising because there are no waste bins. We took our litter home. Whoever owns or manages the beach clearly doesn’t clean or comb it to remove rubbish. They need to provide bins as a minimum.
3. lots of seaweed to contend with on entering water which put kids off. The dried up bits on the beach stunk a bit in the sun.
4. no amenities (toilets closed) and cafe a long walk from beach. I’d have expected at least a beach side cafe or ice cream shop set into the dunes at the back of the beach. There wasn’t even a mobile ice cream stall on the beach to get a drink etc.
5. Difficult to get there due to minor roads once off the motorway.
In short, not worth the effort. It could be so much better and 5 star with a bit of investment, some small scale development and beach management.
What annoyed me is that I travelled from the east and so drove past both Rest Bay and Sker Beach in Porthcawl at least 1hr before I arrived at Rhossili Bay. Both Porthcawl beaches are clean and tidy isolated beaches with limited amenities much like Rhossili Bay. Sker has dunes like Rhossili if that’s what floats your boat.
What further annoyed me was that I could’ve reached an array of nicer beaches in west Wales in a very similar drive time - Tenby, Freshwater East or West, Manorbier, Saundersfoot or the gem that is Barafundle Bay, if isolation with no amenities is what you’re after. I just found every aspect of our visit disappointing and a let down because of all the hype and awards.
Hugely overrated in my opinion. I don’t think I’ll go back. I’ll either stop short in Porthcawl or head to a beach in west Wales.
Lots of people have told me how amazing and beautiful Rhossili Bay is, but I just didn’t get it. Negatives for me are:
1. stones at top of beach and scattered throughout soft sand, which I REALLY hate because they hurt your feet
2. quite a lot of litter on beach and at waters edge - hardly surprising because there are no waste bins. We took our litter home. Whoever owns or manages the beach clearly doesn’t clean or comb it to remove rubbish. They need to provide bins as a minimum.
3. lots of seaweed to contend with on entering water which put kids off. The dried up bits on the beach stunk a bit in the sun.
4. no amenities (toilets closed) and cafe a long walk from beach. I’d have expected at least a beach side cafe or ice cream shop set into the dunes at the back of the beach. There wasn’t even a mobile ice cream stall on the beach to get a drink etc.
5. Difficult to get there due to minor roads once off the motorway.
In short, not worth the effort. It could be so much better and 5 star with a bit of investment, some small scale development and beach management.
What annoyed me is that I travelled from the east and so drove past both Rest Bay and Sker Beach in Porthcawl at least 1hr before I arrived at Rhossili Bay. Both Porthcawl beaches are clean and tidy isolated beaches with limited amenities much like Rhossili Bay. Sker has dunes like Rhossili if that’s what floats your boat.
What further annoyed me was that I could’ve reached an array of nicer beaches in west Wales in a very similar drive time - Tenby, Freshwater East or West, Manorbier, Saundersfoot or the gem that is Barafundle Bay, if isolation with no amenities is what you’re after. I just found every aspect of our visit disappointing and a let down because of all the hype and awards.
Hugely overrated in my opinion. I don’t think I’ll go back. I’ll either stop short in Porthcawl or head to a beach in west Wales.
Written July 19, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Stephen M
4 contributions
Aug 2021 • Friends
We visited Rhossili primarily to visit the sunflowers. We had seen this being advertised on BBC Wales news.
It was a lovely day with fantastic views over Rhossili beach/bay. There was plenty of car parking and the view out to Worms Head was fantastic.
But that’s where the positives end. The sunflowers were SO underwhelming. Most were little over knee high and many were on their last legs and they charged £2 per person to enter a field to view this very disappointing site. What a rip off. In the middle was a large arch which was there as a photo opportunity but the arch was made from plastic flowers.
We wandered around the field for 15 minutes feeling deflated. We were going to go to the toilet before we left but the queues at the toilet were incredibly long.
Worst day we had on our holiday and the roads from the Mumbles were very narrow in places and made a 12 mile journey seem very long - over 45 minutes.
If you go for the beach or to walk to Worms Head then I am sure you will have a fantastic time but if you go for the sunflowers you will be very disappointed!
It was a lovely day with fantastic views over Rhossili beach/bay. There was plenty of car parking and the view out to Worms Head was fantastic.
But that’s where the positives end. The sunflowers were SO underwhelming. Most were little over knee high and many were on their last legs and they charged £2 per person to enter a field to view this very disappointing site. What a rip off. In the middle was a large arch which was there as a photo opportunity but the arch was made from plastic flowers.
We wandered around the field for 15 minutes feeling deflated. We were going to go to the toilet before we left but the queues at the toilet were incredibly long.
Worst day we had on our holiday and the roads from the Mumbles were very narrow in places and made a 12 mile journey seem very long - over 45 minutes.
If you go for the beach or to walk to Worms Head then I am sure you will have a fantastic time but if you go for the sunflowers you will be very disappointed!
Written August 25, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
wbabe
wales21 contributions
Aug 2020 • Friends
This is our third year to see the splendid sight of fields and fields of Sunflowers! The flowers themselves were again stunning, though we didn’t get the timing quite right ...another week and they will be fully in bloom. Still much to see today but most are still in bud.
Major disappointment though, The National Trust not involved this year. A local farmer who normally runs the Gower PYO Christmas trees overseeing..and this year you could PYO sunflowers. Not sure I like that!
Very badly organised though when it came to social distancing and public health and safety. Normally you can wander freely from field to field but this year, of all years, they had everyone herded into one field through a single gate. This meant everyone bottle necked at the entrance...no one way system so everyone entering and leaving at the same point. (No way out at the bottom of the field to head down to Worms Head as the gates were locked)
On top of that also at the entrance there was a stand where they were taking money for the PYO flowers, right next to a food stand and portaloo so everyone lining up ordering and waiting for food. Add a sunflower arch where everyone wanted to take their family selfies, and no one really sure which way to go made 2M distance a nightmare and virtually impossible!
Well done guys! Not.
I got the feeling it was this year, more of a money grabbing opportunity and public safety not really regarded
Major disappointment though, The National Trust not involved this year. A local farmer who normally runs the Gower PYO Christmas trees overseeing..and this year you could PYO sunflowers. Not sure I like that!
Very badly organised though when it came to social distancing and public health and safety. Normally you can wander freely from field to field but this year, of all years, they had everyone herded into one field through a single gate. This meant everyone bottle necked at the entrance...no one way system so everyone entering and leaving at the same point. (No way out at the bottom of the field to head down to Worms Head as the gates were locked)
On top of that also at the entrance there was a stand where they were taking money for the PYO flowers, right next to a food stand and portaloo so everyone lining up ordering and waiting for food. Add a sunflower arch where everyone wanted to take their family selfies, and no one really sure which way to go made 2M distance a nightmare and virtually impossible!
Well done guys! Not.
I got the feeling it was this year, more of a money grabbing opportunity and public safety not really regarded
Written August 2, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Grinchy72
Bolton, UK59 contributions
May 2021 • Couples
Came to Rhossilli bay to go in the sea body boarding. We were amazed by the sight of such a massive stretch of sand bordered by rolling hills and cliff face.
Getting to the sand was a long walk down, which was a little precarious in places, and an even longer hike back up; however the worms heads hotel sits just at the top of the hill offering much needed refreshments.
The beach itself was very clean, other than the usual high tide debris and the sand was very soft.
When the tide goes out, it goes out! We found a spot on the sand to set up, it’s not that there was difficulty finding a spot, more that I needed a spot I could easily identify again when exiting the water! So we opted for a small collection of stumps... and I wandered off in to the distance to find the sea.
You do need to be mindful of rip tides on this beach, and there were no lifeguards on duty when we went.
Once out of the water we explored some of the many caves and couple of ship wrecks including the Helvetica.
Parking is excellent with a very large car park owned and run by the National Trust; we were in our motorhome and paid £8 to park all day. There are open toilet facility the car park as well as the National Trust shop before heading out for a walk to Worms Head.
Getting to the sand was a long walk down, which was a little precarious in places, and an even longer hike back up; however the worms heads hotel sits just at the top of the hill offering much needed refreshments.
The beach itself was very clean, other than the usual high tide debris and the sand was very soft.
When the tide goes out, it goes out! We found a spot on the sand to set up, it’s not that there was difficulty finding a spot, more that I needed a spot I could easily identify again when exiting the water! So we opted for a small collection of stumps... and I wandered off in to the distance to find the sea.
You do need to be mindful of rip tides on this beach, and there were no lifeguards on duty when we went.
Once out of the water we explored some of the many caves and couple of ship wrecks including the Helvetica.
Parking is excellent with a very large car park owned and run by the National Trust; we were in our motorhome and paid £8 to park all day. There are open toilet facility the car park as well as the National Trust shop before heading out for a walk to Worms Head.
Written May 16, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Trekbud
Loughborough, UK1,014 contributions
Aug 2021 • Couples
This is a really beautiful bay. So of course it is busy. But the national trust car park has plenty of overflow fields which help out on busy days. There is a busy part to the bay but, if you don’t have to carry a surf board, then I recommend making the effort to walk a little further out and have huge areas of sand to yourself.
Written September 2, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
rwinChippingNorton
Chipping Norton44 contributions
Aug 2021
My family have been coming here for over 40 years. We love it. We welcomed the NT taking over the car park a few years ago, however visitors should note that there are only 4 female toilets and while, out of season that is usually sufficient last week, on successive days, the queue was 30-40 minutes long There were three fields full of cars - hundreds I don't know how many - and NT needs to provide porta loos at this busy time. I'll be lobbying them perhaps others could do the same.
Written August 29, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
186400Caroline
Warwick, UK2,305 contributions
Sep 2020 • Friends
I’ve travelled all over the world but due to Covid that’s not safe at the moment so looked for somewhere in the UK. This bay is stunning and on the day we visited it was warm and sunny making it a delight to walk around. The walk is suitable for all if your not mobile then you can just do part of it. There are strategically placed benches with beautiful views. We didn’t want to leave it was so beautiful holds up well against beaches in New Zealand and Oahu.
I would recommend arriving early as the car park fills up quickly, we got there about 10.15 and it was almost full. There are toilets in the car park and 2-3 places for a drink or lunch.
I would recommend arriving early as the car park fills up quickly, we got there about 10.15 and it was almost full. There are toilets in the car park and 2-3 places for a drink or lunch.
Written September 12, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Are the toilets open at the moment (Nov 2020)
Geoffrey H
Swansea, UK227 contributions
Not sure
RaSi69
2 contributions
Hi, I was just wondering how long will the sunflowers be in bloom for as I’m planning a trip?
Thanks
Elsie
Swansea, UK15 contributions
I think the Sunflower will be in bloom til end of Summer as they opened quiet late this year. When we went there a week ago, some were still small and about to bloom. Just keep looking for a nice spot until you find the middle field full of Sunflower! 🌻 Enjoy. Post code is SA3 1PP. Huge parking space and don't forget to bring coins. 😊
flintellie
Gloucestershire, UK96 contributions
Is there a nice pub to eat here ?
Especially for Christmas Day , as we are hoping to be here for Christmas, as booked a Air B&B .
Rach W
Herefordshire, UK13 contributions
Yes, one at Rhossili end and one in Llangenith, however I’m not sure if either are open for Christmas Day.
Aaron W
2 contributions
Thinking about driving down in a camper van next weekend and was just wondering where we could park the van to sleep in or how much would it cost roughly to park up somewhere near the coast?
Bicesterian
Bicester, United Kingdom212 contributions
No overnight parking on the bay itself, but plenty of campsites in the area, prices vary greatly, depending on time of year & facilities you are looking for, sorry couldnt help more
I-Luv-Food-Yummy
Herefordshire, UK52 contributions
Are dogs allowed ?
Jayne B
Swansea County, UK325 contributions
Yes all year
Are we aloud to bring disposable barbecues?
PaulDrewsterDrew
Wales, UK281 contributions
I haven’t seen any signs that you can’t but that doesn’t mean I’m right. I’ve seen people with bbqs going down towards Llangennith side of the beach and as long as you take your rubbish back with you..
Do you have to pay to enter
Paul L
Southwell, UK199 contributions
No the beach is free. The car park is national trust so you have to pay unless you’re a member.
Evansmilkyway
Surrey, UK
Where is the best place to park after 6pm to visit the beach as I think the car park shuts at 4.30. Thank you
Rich Williams
Mumbles, UK6 contributions
The main car park area is open 24/7. It is free to park after 6pm however there is no overnight parking/camping allowed on site.
Mike A
24 contributions
Are dogs allowed on the beach?
Shama JB
London, UK88 contributions
Absolutely! Sorry about the delay in responding; despite having notifications turned on for questions, I didn’t receive a notification! Whenever I’ve been there, dogs have loved the beach and have never been a problem ☺️
royston0725
Cardiff, UK1 contribution
How far do we have to park the car from the beach??
Rich Williams
Mumbles, UK6 contributions
As others have said, 5-10 down and 10-20 back again from the National trust car park. It is possible to avoid the few steps by walking via the Warren track from behind the church. Since the original steps were washed away a few years ago, access is much easier, but you can't get away from the fact that it is at the bottom of the cliff. You can get flatter access on to the beach at llangennith, by parking at the Hill End Campsite. This path, through the dunes may not be suitable for those who struggle with soft sand.
Frequently Asked Questions about Rhossili Bay
- Rhossili Bay is open:
- Sun - Sat 12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
- We recommend booking Rhossili Bay tours ahead of time to secure your spot. If you book with Tripadvisor, you can cancel up to 24 hours before your tour starts for a full refund. See all 1 Rhossili Bay tours on Tripadvisor
- Hotels near Rhossili Bay:
- (0.17 mi) Wormshead Hotel
- (0.43 mi) Broad Park Bed and Breakfast
- (2.22 mi) Western House B&B
- (0.42 mi) Channel View B&B
- (6.88 mi) Nicholaston Farm Caravan & Camping
- Restaurants near Rhossili Bay:
- (0.27 mi) The Bay Bistro and Coffee House
- (0.24 mi) The Lookout
- (0.18 mi) Worms Head Hotel Restaurant
- (0.25 mi) The Causeway
- (5.73 mi) Beach House Restaurant
- Attractions near Rhossili Bay:
- (0.17 mi) National Trust Rhosili Shop
- (0.20 mi) Lets Surf Gower
- (0.72 mi) Worm's Head
- (0.30 mi) St Mary the Virgin Church
- (1.86 mi) Gower Coast Adventures