Things to do in the Gower, Swansea, South Wales

Your break with Tircethin farm self catering barn conversions is all about experiences, from the luxurious barn conversions to things to do in and around the surrounding Gower Peninsula area and Swansea, South Wales.

Food & Drink

The Gower and Swansea have many great places to eat and drink. Here are just a few that we sometimes frequent:

• The Poundffald in Three Crosses is the local pub that serves good country pub food and is a
  short walk if you want to have a drink. (01792) 873428  www.poundffald.com
• The Greyhound in Llanrhidian is a family friendly pub with a great beer garden for the
  young ones to run around while you enjoy a good meal. (01792) 391027 www.thegreyhoundinnoldwalls.co.uk
• The King Arthur in Reynoldston is another well known good quality pub situated further down
  the Gower. (01792) 390775 www.kingarthurhotel.co.uk
• The Porterhouse in Loughor is in our opinion the best steak house around. (01792) 894070
• Hurrens in Loughor is well known for its great menu and lunchtime specials. (01792) 899092 www.hurrens.co.uk
• Patricks in Mumbles is an award winning fish restaurant. (01792) 360199 www.patrickswithrooms.com/restaurant
• CJ’s in Mumbles is a more family friendly restaurant. (01792) 361246 www.cjsmumbles.co.uk
• Chutneys in Mumbles is a great contemporary Indian restaurant. (01792) 369329
• Mumbai Indian Restaurant in Black Pill is a well kept secret. (01792) 402402
• Bouchon De Rossi is a well known local Brassiere situated by the Grand Theatre. (01792) 655780 www.bouchonderossi.co.uk
• La Parilla is a brassiere situated in the new SA1 development. (01792) 464530 www.laparrilla.co.uk

Local Produce Markets

As part of our Environmental Policy “We encourage guests to shop at local shops where organic and local produce can be purchased”. With this in mind every Saturday there is a Local Produce Market in the area. Below is a list of when and where these occur. Please check this link for the latest information. http://visitswanseabay.com/markets

• Sketty – First Saturday of the month 9.30am to 12.30pm
• Gowerton – First Sunday of each month 10am to 1pm
• Mumbles – Second Saturday of the month 9.30am to 1.00pm
• Pennard – Second Sunday of the month 9.30am to 12.30pm
• Penclawdd – Third Saturday of the month
• Three Crosses – Last Saturday of the month 10am to 1pm

Activities

The Gower has built a reputation over many years as a place to come to relax on one of our great beaches or try something new. The Gower is crisscrossed by numerous great walking paths and bridleways. If you love your bike the Celtic Trail passes through the area and the World Famous Afan Forest Park in only 20 minutes away. But the sea is probably our greatest asset and therefore the list of water activities is endless.  We have put together a file showing many of the activities in the area and below we have a shortlist of some of the most popular.

Beaches

The Gower is world famous for its beaches, from the picturesque Three Cliffs Bay to the ruggedly awesome Rhosilli. We have counted 19 that we know of, but there are probably a few small ones we forgot about and each offers something different. Caswell, Langland and Rhosilli are great for learning to surf. Oxwich and Port Eynon are great for families and making sand castles. Langland is also great for exploring rock pools with children at low tide. If you take a look at the link  http://visitswanseabay.com/beaches this shows all the information on each beach including lifeguards, disabled access and toilet facilities.

Walking and Cycling

If you fancy exerting yourself more then Swansea Bay and the Gower are perfect for either a leisurely ride along Swansea Bay,
which is part of the Celtic Trail and National Cycle Network (http://www.sustrans.org.uk/what-we-do/national-cycle-network). Or challenge yourself at the World famous Afan Forest Park (http://www.afanforestpark.co.uk/) which has bike and walking trails from novice (or very unfit), to expert (or extreme athlete). Bikes and kit can be hired from Action Bikes in St David’s Square in Swansea (01792)464640 or up at the Afan Forest. Alternatively, you just borrow one of our bikes and explore.

Indoor Swimming

In the centre of Swansea is the LC2 (http://www.thelcswansea.com/), which has many great indoor activities if the weather unexpectedly turns poor. It has a fantastic indoor water park with massive slides, 30ft climbing wall, indoor play area and a waverider (or indoor surfing wave to the rest of us). For more serious swimmers the National Pool in Swansea (http://www.walesnationalpoolswansea.co.uk/) is great for getting those laps in. Alternatively, Swansea has many local leisure centres (http://www.swansea.gov.uk/index.cfm?articleid=13936) that are great places for a quick family dip.

Surfing

The Gower is known throughout the surfing world for its great surf throughout the year. There still are a few secret spots where you can enjoy great waves with only a handful of people. Alternatively, our friend Simon at Surf GSD (http://www.surfgsd.com/01792 417170 can just help you stand up for the first time. He can cater for all your need either a 2 hour taster session or a week long course. He also organizes a great children’s course that takes all day and leaves you free to sit on the beach and watch the world go by. Simon can also organise a lesson indoors at the LC if the water is just a bit cold for you.

Other Water sports

The waters in this area also lend themselves to other activities.

Try windsurfing at Oxwich Watersports. 07740 284079 http://www.oxwichwatersports.co.uk/

Wakeboarding at the only overhead wake boarding park in the area is available in the SA1 area. Go Wake on 07795251986 http://www.gowake.co.uk/index.php

Gower Coast Adventures from Knab Rock in Mumbles offer great boat tours of the South Gower Coastline for all ages. Call 07866250440. http://www.gowercoastadventures.co.uk/

Euphoria Sailing can cater for all you sailing needs. (01792) 234502 http://www.euphoriasailing.com/

Pony Trekking

Explore the Gower on horseback with Parc-le-Breos at Parkmill. They can organise everything from beach riding to picnic rides.
Call 01792 371636. http://www.parc-le-breos.co.uk/pony_trekking.htm

Golf

Many a Hollywood A-lister has sampled the areas many golf courses. Namely Michael Douglas and his Swansea born wife Catherine Zeta Jones, but they still play when back home visiting so keep a look out. Our Local course in only up in Three Crosses so give them a call on (01792) 872480 or 879905 (http://www.gowergolf.co.uk/) to see if they can fit you in or even give you a lesson with the course pro. Alternatively, Pennard Golf Course on (01792) 233131 http://www.pennardgolfclub.com/index2.asp) is worth a round with spectacular views over Three Cliffs Bay. In the middle Mumbles there is also has a small crazy golf course for the smaller ones to show off their skills.

Clyne Farm

This not just a farm but an activity centre for all ages which include horse riding, climbing, archery and Challenge Valley, “the muddiest assault course in the world”. So take a change of clothes! Give them a call on 01792 403333. http://www.clynefarm.com/

Gower Heritage Centre

Based down in Parkmill near Parc-le-Breos pony trekking this a small museum and craft museum showing what the Gower looked
like in years gone by. There are opportunities to take part in some craft activities and some children’s play areas. Call (01792) 371206. http://www.gowerheritagecentre.co.uk/

Dylan Thomas

Dylan Thomas was Swansea’s most famous export, until Bonnie Tyler and Catherine Zeta Jones came along! Thankfully only Dylan Thomas has his own museum and information exhibition based in the centre of Swansea. Take a look at his greatest work and even take a tour of the house he was born in. Call (01792) 463980. http://www.swansea.gov.uk/dtc

National Wetlands Centre

The National Wetland Centre is just over the water in Llanelli is run by the Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust (WWT). It is a great day out for the little ones. 01554 741087 http://www.wwt.org.uk/visit-us/llanelli

Tourist Information

This is just a small list of some of the many activities you can experience whilst with us at Tir-Cethin. For all the latest information on everything in the area the Swansea Tourist Information Centre is worth a visit. They are situated next to the new bus station in the centre of Swansea or give them a call on (01792) 468321. http://visitswanseabay.com/.

Visit Wales http://www.visitwales.co.uk/ is also a great source of information to make your stay as enjoyable as possible.

For more information on Gower, visit our friends at http://www.the-gower.com