Rhossili
Most probable of theories about the origin of the name is Rhos = Welsh word for moor, and Iley = local name of the stream flowing onto the sands from Rhossili Hill.
The village itself is little more than a cluster of houses, a hotel, tea rooms and few shops scattered around the church of St Mary the Virgin, perched at the top of 200ft cliffs at the most westerly point of the Gower Peninsula. In a small space however, there is a great richness of history. The church itself has some interesting features. The inner enterance which is protected from the ravages of the weather by a porch, is through a fine Norman door. The doorway is a fine example of 12th century Gower craftsmanship. Inside the church is a monument to Edgar Evans, who died with Scott in the Antartic. The whole parish includes Middleton And Pitton, sheltered settlements 1 mile east of Rhossili. Middleton is associated with smuggling in by gone days, contraband of brandy and tobacco were found in haystacks at Middleton farm. Pitton has a close connection with John Wesley. The parish stretches as far as the famous Paviland cave of great archaeological importance.
Yes, there is plenty here to interest historians, but it is the sheer beauty of the area which attracts tourists. Rhossili Bay is one of the finest natural stretches of unspoilt beaches in Britain, a five mile arc from Worms Head to its northen tip, Burry Holms. The sandy beach is three miles long and backed by sand dunes. A number of vessles have been driven ashore here in the past. The bare ribs of the Helvetica, wrecked in 1887, still show above the the sands near Rhossili. The Independant newspaper hailed Rhossili Beach as 'The British supermodel of beaches' in 2006, and "the best beach in Britain for breathtaking cliffs" 2007. Nearby Llangennith Beach has been voted the best place in Britain to learn to surf by the Observer. Yearly, the area is awarded coverted awards for fine beaches, from the Blue Flag to the Rural and Green Coast awards, all demonstrating Quality.
The fantastic promontory, known as Worms Head owing to its serpent like shape, forms the southern tip of Rhossili. The shipway between the Inner Head and mainland begins to be exposed to ebb tides 2 and a half to 3 hours after high tide, so it is possible for the adventorous and fairly active to walk across, and have 5 hours to explore the furthest point, It is a nature reserve, fascinating in richness of flowers and sea birds, which are of course protected.
Without a doubt Rhossili is a gem.
The village itself is little more than a cluster of houses, a hotel, tea rooms and few shops scattered around the church of St Mary the Virgin, perched at the top of 200ft cliffs at the most westerly point of the Gower Peninsula. In a small space however, there is a great richness of history. The church itself has some interesting features. The inner enterance which is protected from the ravages of the weather by a porch, is through a fine Norman door. The doorway is a fine example of 12th century Gower craftsmanship. Inside the church is a monument to Edgar Evans, who died with Scott in the Antartic. The whole parish includes Middleton And Pitton, sheltered settlements 1 mile east of Rhossili. Middleton is associated with smuggling in by gone days, contraband of brandy and tobacco were found in haystacks at Middleton farm. Pitton has a close connection with John Wesley. The parish stretches as far as the famous Paviland cave of great archaeological importance.
Yes, there is plenty here to interest historians, but it is the sheer beauty of the area which attracts tourists. Rhossili Bay is one of the finest natural stretches of unspoilt beaches in Britain, a five mile arc from Worms Head to its northen tip, Burry Holms. The sandy beach is three miles long and backed by sand dunes. A number of vessles have been driven ashore here in the past. The bare ribs of the Helvetica, wrecked in 1887, still show above the the sands near Rhossili. The Independant newspaper hailed Rhossili Beach as 'The British supermodel of beaches' in 2006, and "the best beach in Britain for breathtaking cliffs" 2007. Nearby Llangennith Beach has been voted the best place in Britain to learn to surf by the Observer. Yearly, the area is awarded coverted awards for fine beaches, from the Blue Flag to the Rural and Green Coast awards, all demonstrating Quality.
The fantastic promontory, known as Worms Head owing to its serpent like shape, forms the southern tip of Rhossili. The shipway between the Inner Head and mainland begins to be exposed to ebb tides 2 and a half to 3 hours after high tide, so it is possible for the adventorous and fairly active to walk across, and have 5 hours to explore the furthest point, It is a nature reserve, fascinating in richness of flowers and sea birds, which are of course protected.
Without a doubt Rhossili is a gem.
