Last Updated on 13 December 2023 by Colette
This post features gifted experiences
Rhossili Bay has been voted into the top four of Britain’s Best Beaches by Tripadvisor users for four years in a row and it’s easy to see why.
We arrived at National Trust Rhossili Bay at about 9.30am to a relatively empty car park and were immediately wowed by the views across the bay. We made our way back up to the car park for around 11.30am where we found it decidedly busier than when we had set off so I would recommend getting down to Rhossili bay sooner rather than later as there isn’t much available in the way of alternative parking. Parking is free at Rhossili Bay for National Trust Members – non members are charged at £6 for the full day or £3 for up to two hours (two hours won’t be long enough!). The pay and display machine is coin only or you can pay using the paybyphone app – it is recommended you download the app before your visit as the network coverage at Rhossili Bay can be patchy. I didn’t have any problems with it personally but it’s worth planning ahead!).
Rather than walk down to the beach we set off down the path towards Worm’s Head – you can actually walk out onto the causeway across to Worm’s Head if you catch the tides right but be careful as the window of opportunity is relatively short. There is a notice outside the Coastwatch House warning you of tide times and also letting you know if you are too late to cross safely – pay attention to this!
Even if you can’t cross the causeway, it’s worth a walk down the steps past the Coastwatch House just to take in the views – I don’t know about you but I could sit for hours watching waves crashing on the rocks.
We had a delicious lunch in @thelookoutrhossili which is just on the left hand side of the road as you’re driving into the car park at Rhossili Bay. The Lookout Rhossili is super cute with only a handful of tables inside so I’d suggest having your lunch a little earlier than usual if you can just to make sure you get a seat! There was a steady stream of people coming in for ice cream, takeaway coffee & cakes too.
Rhossili Bay well and truly stole our hearts and I only wished we had longer to be able to visit. There is clearly so much more to see and do than we squeezed into our morning’s visit. Rhossili Bay is a must visit if you are in the area – we all agreed it was a highlight of our day.
What else do you need to know about visiting Rhossili Bay?
The landscape of Rossili Bay is free to access
Rhossili Bay is dog friendly (we wished we had Poppy with us!) and dogs are allowed on the beach all year.
There are toilets near the car park – these are free to use and operated by Swansea Council.
There is no camping or over night car parking allowed at Rhossili Bay
The weather changes quite quickly in this area so be prepared!
The footpaths at Rhossili Bay are uneven and gravelly – I wouldn’t say they were especially pushchair friendly but you’ll manage.
Apparently the sunsets at Rhossili Bay are breathtaking – unfortunately we didn’t get chance to experience this ourselves as we didn’t have the time to pop back during our trip.
The white house just up from the beach is actually called Rhossili Old Rectory and available to rent from the National Trust as a holiday cottage (and yes I only know this because Ben and I decided we wanted to move in and live there forever!)
If you’ve visited Rhossili Bay and have more tips or information to share, let me know in the comments!
Why not check out our suggestions of things to do in and around Swansea with kids next or take a look at this list of the best walks in South Wales.
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The beach is not great for swimming as.very flat so the sea remains shallow for ages. And save some energy for climbing back up the steps. The gift shop is nice and escapes the usual tourist tat.