Three Cliffs Bay

The Castle at Three Cliffs called Pennard Castle

Three Cliffs Bay, taken inland

Three Cliffs Bay from the west

Three Cliffs Bay (grid reference SS535876), otherwise Three Cliff Bay, is a bay on the south coast of the Gower Peninsula near the City of Swansea, Wales. The bay takes its name from the picturesque three cliffs that jut out into the bay. The stream the Pennard Pill flows into the sea in the middle of the bay. There is a Castle at the top of a sandy bank called Pennard castle less than 500 yards down from the main beach. This castle was built in the early 12th century, and sadly little is known about this castle and its history. The individual bays that make up this beach have their own names, with Pobbles Bay to the east of the rocks, and Tor Bay along the long western bay. The beaches are accessible to each other at low tide by foot over the sand flats. There are wild horses that run along the fields and along the beach, with wild birds and other animals; it is a beautiful place to visit. A fun-filled place for the whole family, although dogs are not allowed at the area from the 1st April to the 30th September When the tide is in, it becomes impossible to cross the river heading towards Parkmill, so if you can't climb the sand dunes, take care not to get cut off as the tide sometimes comes in around the sides of the beach and leaves a sandy island in the middle - but not for long. Paths lead north to Pennard Burrows, east to Pobbles, and west to Tor Bay. Pobbles and Tor Bay are also accessible from the beach at low tide. The cliffs are limestone, about 20 m high, and are a popular destination for rock climbers with 20 climbs in the lower grades. Also, a Caravan Park is located on the South Coast of Gower in prime position panoramically overlooking Three Cliffs Bay. The largest of the Three Cliffs is easily climbed if approached from the grassy base, it attempted before the climb can be completed in under 60 seconds (although this is not recommended for beginners or first time climbers!) In June 2006 the BBC Holidays at Home programme declared Three Cliffs Bay to be Britain's best beach.^[1] In a recent programme broadcast in the UK the view over Three Cliffs bay was nominated for 'Britains Best View'

Notes

Coordinates: 51.56819° N 4.11516° W

External links

• Three Cliffs Bay
• Official tourist website for Gower