You could spend years travelling the length and breadth of the UK, even the whole of Europe, and not find anywhere quite like this.
Standing on a nearby clifftop, you get the full majesty of this place, with a vast and flat golden beach stretching out in front of you while ocean waves glide in gently from the vibrant blue waters on one side, and green cliffs rising on the other.
It’s no wonder that the beach at Rhossili Bay has been named the best in Europe, as well as featuring year after year in annual lists of the best beaches in the UK, Europe and even the world. It’s a perfect balance of remote and accessible, meaning that while it’s not at all difficult to get there if you are so inclined, you are unlikely to have to force yourself through the huge crowds that you’ll find at more popular beaches in places like Dorset, Sussex, Devon or Cornwall.
Travel expert Simon Calder, who you’ll regularly see on television giving his advice on all manner of travel issues, has described the beach, at the western tip of the Gower peninsula, as “pristine” and “world class”. And no one who has been there would disagree.
And if the three miles of beach isn’t enough for you, you’ll also find the iconic Worm’s Head a short clifftop walk from the beach, and the entire Gower peninsula, a designated area of outstanding natural beauty, to explore. And despite its remoteness, there are plenty of options for a meal, slice of cake or quick cup of coffee, as well as places to stay.
It has been described as “the supermodel of British beaches” and named the UK’s “most dog-friendly beach”, no doubt due to the huge amount of space they have to run around.
The nature of the Atlantic swell means it’s hugely popular with surfers, who you’ll often see bobbing around a little distance off-shore, while still being calm and safe enough to swim and paddle in. There’s even an old shipwreck to explore. Protruding from the otherwise flat sand you will find the remains of Helvetia, which was carrying 500 tonnes of timber when it ran aground here in 1887.
And if all that isn’t enough, it also has one of the UK’s most unique places to stay, with a National Trust-owned house perched above the sand providing what must be one of the most spectacular views in Britain to its guests.
In 2017, it was named one of the best 10 beaches in the world, the only one in Europe to make the list, where it joined beaches in Thailand, Hawaii and Brazil. In 2024, it was named among Lonely Planet’s 100 best beaches in the world, while TripAdvisor users voted it the world’s 10th best beach in the world in 2013.
Among the comments from TripAdvisor visitors are those calling it “unbelievably beautiful” and others urging people to “spend as much time there as you can”. Meanwhile, global travel site Big 7 named it in its 50 best beaches on the planet in 2023.
The joy of Rhossili is how easy it is to get there by car, but also how remote it is at the very end of the Gower peninsula, so you shouldn’t find too many people vying with you for the best view from the clifftop or the prime spot on the beach, where there is easily enough sand to go around. While the clifftop car park can be busy, you should be OK to find a spot. From there it is a gradual walk down a hillside path down to the incredible beach, where you will feel like you have the whole world to yourself.
The iconic Worms Head Hotel is perched at the edge of a cliff looking down on both Rhossili Bay beach and Worms Head. It has 4.1 out of 5 stars from 949 users on Google. You can get a standard double room here from £160. There are also Airbnb options both in Rhossili and elsewhere in Gower.
But the gold standard of places to stay in Rhossili is the Old Rectory, a National Trust-owned property standing in splendid isolation just metres from the world-famous beach. It has four bedrooms and can sleep seven people.
It was built in the 1800s and was once a base for radar workers during the Second World War. Its light-flooded rooms and large kitchen make it a perfect place to stay with family or friends — imagine sitting in the front garden soaking up that view as the sun sets over the beach. Divine!
It will cost you, though. Availability is limited due to its unique nature, and a three-night stay starts from around £1,500 (and that’s in the autumn, not high season).
Despite its tiny size and remote location, the village at Rhossili, perched right above the beach, has lots of delightful places to eat, including The Lookout, The View and the Worms Head Hotel itself.