Gower's Rhossili named one of the world’s best beaches

Copacobana and Waikiki are some of the world’s most famous beaches - now Swansea’s Rhossili Bay can lay claim to being up there too. We know that Gower is a place of outstanding beauty. Its always nice to have that confirmed.

Not only has the Gower beauty spot been named the UK’s best beach by top travel website TripAdvisor, it’s also been named third best beach in Europe and tenth best in the world in the 2013 Travellers’ Choice Beach Awards.

 

The awards are based entirely on the feedback of millions of travellers across the planet. Stunning beaches in countries like Italy, Greece and Turkey are among those Rhossili Bay has beaten in Europe. Whitehaven in Queensland, Australia, and Horseshoe Bay in Bermuda are some of the other beaches joining Rhossili in the world’s top ten.

Cllr David Phillips, Swansea Council Leader, said: “We are delighted, but not surprised, that Rhossili Bay has been acknowledged by the world’s leading consumer travel website. Images of Rhossili Bay, which is managed by the National Trust, are recognisable across the world and feature prominently in our destination marketing activity. We hope that many more visitors continue to enjoy its outstanding natural beauty.”

TripAdvisor is the world’s largest social travel network that’s been used by more than 100 million travellers. Emma Shaw, of TripAdvisor, said: “These awards recognise the best beaches in the UK and beyond, according to those that really matter - travellers who have visited these beaches and given them the highest levels of praise.

“Huge congratulations to Swansea’s Rhossili Bay for beating many of the most exotic beaches across the globe.”

The award is the latest in a long list of accolades for Rhossili Bay.  It’s been hailed by The Independent newspaper as the “British supermodel of beaches” and won the Great British Beach Awards in 2010.

Frances Jenkins, Swansea Council’s Strategic Manager for Culture, Tourism, Marketing and Events, said: “This is fantastic news for the destination and a very worthy accolade for Rhossili.  Gower is a very strong brand.  Rhossili and other Gower beaches have prominently in our marketing campaigns to make the most of the city’s Premier League status by raising the profile of Swansea Bay as a visitor destination. Many of the campaigns have included photos of Rhossili Bay and other Swansea beauty spots on the London Underground, encouraging millions of commuters to make Swansea Bay their next stop.”

For great places to stay visit http://www.tourismswanseabay.co.uk/

Rhossili Bay curves along an arc running northwards from the village. The sandy beach is three miles (5 km) long and is backed with sand dunes. Locals refer to the beach as Llangennith Sands. Behind the beach just north of the village is Rhossili Down with the highest point on the Gower Peninsula, (the Beacon), and a number of prehistoric remains. It is between Rhossili Down and the beach proper that the Warren is found.

At the southern end of the Bay is the small tidal island called the Worm's Head. At the north is Burry Holms. These islands are accessible at low tide only. Also at low tide, it is possible to see the remains of several shipwrecks, wood from the wreck of the Helvetia being the most prominent when looking north from Rhossili.

Rhossili Bay featured in the Opening Ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games, a youth choir began a cappella performances of "Bread of Heaven" live on the beach with was broadcast at the Olympic Stadium. 

The bay has been used as the setting of New Earth in the sci-fi show Doctor Who and the bay including the Old Rectory was used in Torchwood: Miracle Day.

Have a look at www.visitswanseabay.com for more information.