'Beautiful' Welsh beach loved by famous poet perfect for winter walks 'even in the rain'

An award-winning beach in south Wales lauded for its "beautiful and unspoilt" shores has been touted as one of the best to visit in colder months. Rhossili Bay in the Gower Peninsula offers visitors three miles of sandy coastline and is particularly popular with surfers. It has been given a Tripadvisor award and has also been named one of the UK's best beaches for winter walks by Contours Walking Holidays.

Rhossili Bay is the most westerly bay on the Gower and is the most popular with surfers as it tends to get the biggest waves. The surrounding area is known for its beauty, and walkers can head west along the cliff path to Worm's Head, a tidal island. Worm's Head is only accessible during high tide, and was described by poet Dylan Thomas - who once got trapped there by the tide - as the "very promontory of depression".

For those travelling to Rhossili Bay by car, there is a car park located approximately 400m from the sea. There is also a 24-hour public toilet, as well as options for getting to the bay via public transport. The beach, which is dog-friendly, doesn't have lifeguards, however.

Visitors can explore the local eateries and head to the visitor centre, located in one of the former coastguard cottages, overlooking the bay.

At the south end of the beach, part of the headland includes The Vile - an agricultural landscape that has been divided into strips. There is also a coastguard lookout, now manned by volunteers, that was built in Victorian times at the end of The Vile.

The beach has a Travellers' Choice 2025 award, with one visitor dubbing it the "best beach in the UK". They added: "Even in the rain it's beautiful. The drive can be difficult, especially if you aren't used to it, so make sure you use guidance or a satnav."

Another wrote: "Winter is a great time for a walking holiday along these stunning beaches. Probably a better time to visit than in the summer if you want to avoid the crowds."

A third called the beach "beautiful and unspoilt", adding that it was "wild in winter, bracing in spring and heavenly in summer". Someone else posted: "It is one of those places that you never tire of, in all seasons and in all weathers. I would love to come here in the winter when there is a really good gale blowing and watch the spray. I bet that would be even more stunning."