Walkers on the 870-mile Welsh Coast Path are to become the first in the world to get free water refills on an entire coastal route.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-5827787/Walkers-Welsh-Coast-Path-free-water-refills-stop-single-use-bottles-used.html?ito=email_share_article-top
RHOSSILI BAY IN SOUTH WALES IS NAMED THE BEST BEACH IN EUROPE
Rhossili Bay was the only European beach to make the top 10
The Swansea beach made it onto a list of the world’s top 10
THE INDEPENDENT TRAVEL
The UK is known for many things but pristine, world-class beaches isn’t usually one of them – until now.
A beach in Wales has been crowned the best in Europe by Suitcase Magazine. Swansea's Rhossili Bay on the Gower Peninsula surpassed the sandy shores of Spain, Greece and France to become the only European beach worthy of a place on Suitcase’s top 10 beaches in the world list.
Comprised of three miles of golden sand, the beach encompasses Worms Head, one of Gower’s most famous landmarks, and lies within the first designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty in the UK.
Adrian Short, proprietor of the local Worm’s Head Hotel, told The Independent: “It’s an outstanding bay. It’s not the first time it’s been mentioned; it’s become a figurehead location for Wales.”
He added that the remoteness of the bay means “there’s a certain mystique about it, because it’s very natural. It’s not your typical sunbather’s beach – it’s unspoiled luck.”
While remote, the bay is not inaccessible, and its international recognition means that hundreds of tourists are expected to flock to the iconic spot this summer.
Rhossili Bay is in good company on the top 10 list, rubbing shoulders with the likes of the hard partying South Beach in Miami and Honokalani Beach in Hawaii, which boasts black lava stone instead of the typical white sand.
However, this is by no means the first time the South Wales stretch of coastline has received recognition for its beauty. Rhossili Bay has been voted Wales' Best Beach and one of the UK's Top 10 Beaches for five years running in the TripAdvisor Travellers’ Choice Awards.
Sound waves: An auditory walk along the Gower Peninsula
Click above to read about The Sound of our Shores project which took Mark Rowe on a coastal ramble in Wales
The Independent, 18th August 2015
This from Coast magazine article ' 9 Best Beaches for Rockpooling', March 2015
2. For celeb spotting Bracelet Bay, Mumbles, West Glamorgan
This rocky bay is a site of registered geological interest. Its beach harbours limestone pools where the wonderfully named By-the-wind Sailor (Velella velella), a jellyfish-like animal, has been spotted. Mumbles is also a sight of registered celeb spotting: Catherine Zeta Jones grew up here and has a house nearby. enjoygower.com
In the Good Beach Guide 2013, Swansea, which includes Caswell Bay, has come second out of the whole of the UK as the area with the cleanest beaches. Click here for more information.
Rhosilli Bay has beaten off worldwide competition to be named third best bay and beach in Europe, according to a survey of tourists from all around the world by the TripAdvisor website. For more information, click here.
Even during the heart of winter, the beauty of Caswell Bay and the surrounding area is clear to see.
It's a beach that everyone can enjoy, whatever the time of year.
With caves to explore for the young, or the young at heart.
...or somewhere for a coffee for those not feeling quite so active.
Then there's the coastal path leading from Caswell Bay to Langland Bay and beyond all the way around to Mumbles. A not-to-be-missed walk!