As its name suggests, this gorgeous bay on the Gower Peninsula is characterised by its limestone cliffs towering over the extensive golden sands. One of the three cliffs of the name has been eroded by the sea to form a rock arch. The beach takes some effort to get to, being reachable only on foot from either Parkmill or Southgate, but it is well worth the walk. Near the bay is the village of Southgate, which is the starting point for a couple of cliff walks. To the east is a path leading to Pwlldu Head and the sandy Pwlldu Bay, while to the west a more gentle walk leads along the cliffs to the 13th century ruin of Pennard Castle, based on an earlier fortification probably built by first earl of Warwick Henry de Beaumont. The ruins, made of sandstone and limestone, lie at the edge of the Pennard Pill valley and offers wonderful views over Three Cliffs Bay. It was abandoned at the end of the 14th century, not due to battle scarring as is so often the case, but because there was a problem with sand encroachment. A mile to the north of Southgate is the Gower Heritage Centre and craft centre, occupying a restored 17th century water-powered corn and sawmill.
Map of the area.
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| Three Cliffs Bay - geograph.org.uk - 869888. Photo by Graham Taylor, via Wikimedia Commons |
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