soapdragon Posted July 6, 2017 Share Posted July 6, 2017 We have booked a five night break to Gower/Mumbles toward the end of August...it's not anywhere that either OH or I have been before and VisitWales don't have anything they can send (apparently ) so does anyone know of anything we should do, anywhere we should go, good beaches etc? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AndyRoo Posted July 6, 2017 Share Posted July 6, 2017 You could attempt to do the Mumbles Mile - it's literally a mile long trek across the Mumbles' beach front where you attempt to have a drink in every single bar... I personally had to switch to soft drinks after bar number 4 - so God knows how people make it to the finish! It's very scenic at night, or so I remember. The mumbles pier doesn't have a lot to do, but it does offer some nice views of the coastline. If I remember correctly the entire coastline and beaches there are pretty reasonable. You could head out to Worm's Head Island for a walk too, which is pretty scenic - but you need to time it right with the tides, otherwise you're going to get stranded. I'm afraid it's been at least 20 years since I last went, so I dare say a lot had changed! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
soapdragon Posted July 7, 2017 Author Share Posted July 7, 2017 Thanks, Andyroo....we will have ES and YS with us so poss best not try the drinking thing I didn't know there was a pier though so that's interesting! We had planned to stop off for the day on our way back (which will be a Friday) in Bristol which I know is your stomping ground! SS Great Britain is on the agenda and I gather there are some other older child friendly things to do as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Katy Posted July 7, 2017 Share Posted July 7, 2017 Joe's ice cream parlour in Mumbles is fab and Dick Barton's fish and chip shop along the Swansea / Mumbles road is good, cross the road for benches on the front. Swansea bay is lovely for a good long walk too and the marina is nice to wonder around, plus has a good coffee shop. There is a big car park there by the leisure centre. Beaches: Langland is the one you'll hit first from Mumbles heading away from Swansea, lovely cliff walk too. Pennard is I think national trust (car park is anyway), again lovely cliff walk and coffee shop in the village - not sure the beach is actually accessible as I've only done the cliff walk. Oxwich bay is huge and flat and the last time I was there they had a water sports place (paddles boards and kayaks) and a cafe. Rhossoli bay is beautiful and there is lighthouse on the headland. There's a big car park but be warned it's a serious hike down to the beach (or more importantly back up)! A friend went last year though and said the path had been upgraded and is wasn't nearly so tough. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
soapdragon Posted July 7, 2017 Author Share Posted July 7, 2017 Thanks Katy - Oxwich sounds good as OH and ES missed out on their sea kayak trip whilst in Devon at half term due to the weather I'll pass the info on! Also sounds as though we are sorted on the fish and chip and ice cream front too which will please the boys no end Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AndyRoo Posted July 7, 2017 Share Posted July 7, 2017 I didn't think the ice cream parlour would even still be there - assuming it's the one I am thinking of. If so, I can vouch for that place too! Pier might be over-selling it: it's an RNLI centre (I think) out on a jetty... you still get the nice views though! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mullethunter Posted July 7, 2017 Share Posted July 7, 2017 I went to uni in Swansea and can vouch for the Mumbles Mile - if you're not normally a drinker though you'd better get practicing! Three Cliffs Bay is beautiful and another vote here for Oxwich. Have a great time! It's a beautiful part of the world - nearly as good as Cornwall Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
soapdragon Posted July 7, 2017 Author Share Posted July 7, 2017 What could beat the West Country Sounds lovely and hoping that the rain holds off and we can enjoy the beaches..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted July 9, 2017 Share Posted July 9, 2017 Went there when Rosie was small, on a holiday with my folks - I remember Oxwich bay and Rhosilli Bay being beautiful - I rode along Rhosilli Bay with Rosie up in front of me. Loads of lovely walks and we stayed in a remote farmhouse... can't recall where it was though. Ideal place for older children to go off exploring; I think your boys will love it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
soapdragon Posted July 14, 2017 Author Share Posted July 14, 2017 Thanks, all! Oxwich is def. on the list.......much as we really do love dear old Bigbury/South Hams it will be nice to discover somewhere different. I still havn't told the boy's and hope I can keep the secret; ES will be beside himself as he stayed at the main Kilvrough Activity Centre last year with school and loved it (we have booked the lodge/gatehouse for 5 nights.) Am debating as to whether we'll need wetsuits for the middle of August - what a wimp I am! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
soapdragon Posted August 26, 2017 Author Share Posted August 26, 2017 Thanks everyone - Dick Barton's is still there although we didn't try it this time round! The chaps went out on a dingy from Oxwich Bay - I don't do anything smaller then the IOW ferry these days and, besides, someone had to stay on the beach with the camera and eat Welsh cakes.....I drew the short straw but managed to cope! The pier at Mumbles was great with the RNLI station at the end and very interesting. Rhosilli and Worm's Head was an amazing place....we also loved Langlands but only went there on the last morning. They have lifeguards on the beach so will get the boys in the water there next time. I am just about to re book same accommodation for the end of May/beginning of June half term!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted August 26, 2017 Share Posted August 26, 2017 Out of interest, where did you stay? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
soapdragon Posted August 26, 2017 Author Share Posted August 26, 2017 We stayed at The Lodge, just at the entrance to Kilvrough Manor, Parkmill. The Manor was, until a few weeks ago, an out door activity centre run by Oxfordshire County Council; both OH and ES stayed there, ES just last year and OH ehhem.....far longer ago ! However, The Manor has just been taken over by The Groundwork Trust who specialise in outward bound activities for inner city children along with other schools although I understand that Oxfordshire school still have some kind of priority. Luckily we booked just before The Manor handed over to the Trust. It was perfect in being about halfway along the Gower peninsular and so more or less equdistant from both Swansea city and Rhosilli....best of both worlds really Prices for Gower are far cheaper than our beloved south Devon and its nearer to us - leaving at 7.30am on Sunday morning we were there in 2.5 hours and it's over 3.5 to the South Hams. Rather more rural though in terms of infrastructure but that's just fine by us! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted August 27, 2017 Share Posted August 27, 2017 That looks lovely what a shame it isn't dog friendly would have loved to stay there Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
soapdragon Posted August 27, 2017 Author Share Posted August 27, 2017 Oh, I hadn't realised it wasn't a dog friendly place! What a shame! If you look at Homes from Home site they have others nearby - they now manage The Lodge bookings. There are loads of walks in the area - not least The Coast Path - also Parc Breos is just down the road which has nice walks too. Hope you find something that tickles your fancy!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted August 27, 2017 Share Posted August 27, 2017 Thanks A, will do Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
soapdragon Posted August 27, 2017 Author Share Posted August 27, 2017 Stonemill Cottage at Parkmill (no 377) looks lovely - you can filter your search by 'pet friendly' to make it easier! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted August 27, 2017 Share Posted August 27, 2017 That's lovely, as is seaside cottage annexe or Frog cottage... hmmm; one to file for later methinks. Thankilies Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
