A weekend by the Welsh coast
A couple of weeks ago, I stayed in a small airbnb in Gower in Wales for a short weekend away. Gower was the first place in Britain to be named an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. You can expect dramatic coastal walks, woodlands and beautiful beaches. We were expecting thunderstorms all weekend so we were VERY excited and surprised to see blue skies and sunshine for part of our stay. I took lots of photos so here are a few of my favourites as well as some info about the airbnb we stayed at.
The link to the airbnb is at the end of this post!
How to get there
We drove to the airbnb but I was quite surprised that we could easily have spent the entire weekend without a car too even though it felt quite remote. If you don’t drive, you can get the train to Swansea and then either get a taxi to the airbnb or you could get a couple of buses for most of the journey and then walk 15 mins to the airbnb. Once you’re there, you can walk to the coast and nearby local shops and cafes. However, if you’re planning to visit some areas a bit further away, it would be best to have a car.
If you are planning to go via public transport, remember to do a grocery shop beforehand. The nearest local shop is a corner shop (Premier) 15 min walk away and is ideal for emergencies rather than full meals.
A little bit more about the airbnb…
There is a 2-night minimum stay
Prices start from £48pp per night, including the cleaning fee
It’s an annex so it’s *quite* small but it’s all you need for a weekend away especially if you’re spending most of your time outside. I wouldn’t recommend it for a stay longer than 2 nights, particularly as the kitchenette is limited.
The kitchenette only has a dual air fryer, toaster and fridge/freezer so whilst you could still cook all your meals there, it can be quite limiting. We ended up eating at Pobbles Pizza one night and at King Arthur Hotel for the second night. Alternatively, if you’re visiting in summer, there is a BBQ provided that you could use.
As the annex is attached to the owner’s house, you weren’t able to control the temperature of the airbnb yourself. So, if you’re planning to visit in autumn/winter, take an extra layer just in case!
What is there to do nearby?
This spot is perfect if you like to spend lots of time outdoors. My favourite thing about the airbnb was its location as you could walk straight from the airbnb to the coast in about 20 mins. A beautiful beach nearby is Three Cliffs Bay. When the tide is out, the beach is HUGE and it’s also a beautiful spot to watch sunset. From there, you could walk further along the coast towards Oxwich Bay or you can do a loop back to the airbnb via Three Cliffs coffee shop (also a restaurant).
Nearby the airbnb is also Gower Heritage Centre (approx. 15 mins walk too). It’s small but there’s a few things to do such as craft workshops, visit the working mill or just browse the shop for little gifts. We also stopped by Little Valley Bakery for some lunch. As it was raining, we parked up in Oxwich Bay carpark and ate lunch in the car.
You can also drive or get the bus to Rhossili Bay. I’d highly recommend making time for this as it’s the most stunning coastal spot. You could have a picnic there, browse the National Trust shop, or a walk towards Worm’s Head and beyond.
What shall I pack and how to book?
Remember to pack for all types of weather! We were expecting thunderstorms all weekend but then also got very warm on some of the walks. So, I would pack some light and cosy layers, comfortable walking fits, a waterproof jacket, wellies or decent walking boots (you will likely hit some muddy spots by the coast) and loungewear.
Book via airbnb here.
