Wild ponies roam at Loughor Estuary, Penclawdd, Gower, Swansea

One of the most dramatic bays in Europe, three mile wide Rhossili Bay presents a staggering view across the adjacent clifftops which rise above 200 feet. The dramatic hillside setting of Rhossili Down (pictured) rises to 600 feet above the sweeping bay and is a favoured launching spot for hang gliders and parascenders. Marking the south westerly tip of the peninsular, elongated island Worm's Head points for a mile out to sea. The name is a corruption of an old Norse word meaning "dragon". Prehistoric tools and bones have been found within a dark chamber at the tip of this mysterious headland. The location is an archaeologist's treasure trove with an Iron Age camp, Megalithic burial mounds, and "Sweyn's Chambers", which charts the Stone Age presence of human habitation at Rhossili. The frame of an 1887 coaster wreck, "Helvetia", is visible in the sands. Home to rare species of wildlife, Rhossili has been in the ownership of the U.K. National Trust since 1967. In past centuries, Rhossili has been a regular haunt of smugglers and a haven for pirates - nearby Brandy Cove derives its name from an illegal liquor trade rife in 19th Century Gower. The charming village centre offers traditional Welsh teashops and the Worm's Head Hotel (below) provides glorious bayside views. Local church, St Mary's, dates back to 12th Century; it's original owners were the Knights Hospitallers of St.John of Jerusalem. The church has an original 14th Century window which was known as the "leper's window" - its low position permitted contagious paupers to hear the word of the scriptures from outside only! The northern flank of the bay, Llangennith, entices surfers and windsurfers, and the remains of a World War II radar station lies ruined in the fading memories of Swansea's most terrifying moments. The sandy island of Burry Holmes bears testimony to Rhossili's enigmatic past - the remains of a 6th Century monastery are just visible where a stone wall protrudes from its cloak of sand.

Oxwich Bay  is an intoxicating blend of almost interminable sand dunes, marshland, woodlands & picturesque thatched cottages. It is a microcosmic world of sea, hills, forest and wetlands. Its marshes are a nature reserve of Special Scientific Interest and the broad sandy bay is a favourite launch location for speedboats. The two mile bay is overlooked by a 500 year old Tudor castle, St. Illtyd's Norman church, a Georgian mansion and an attractive waterside hotel. John Wesley, the religious reformer, resided here at one of the picturesque cottages close to Oxwich Green.

For centuries, Three Cliffs Bay has entranced visitors with its curious triple-toothed limestone formation. The remains of an Iron Age settlement bear testament to the existence of a cliff top community which enjoyed a similar view to the picture above. Tantalisingly, the buried stones of a ruined church support a Medieval fable about a village which lays buried in the expansive sands of Three Cliffs. A winding water channel snakes through the adjoining valley woodland which leads to the crumbling gate towers of Pennard Castle. Abandoned by 1400, William de Breos's two storey stone structure had only survived a hundred years of storms before the encroaching sand, rather than embattlement, claimed the castle. Nearby excavations at High Pennard have revealed thread and pottery evidence dating to the First Century A.D., which suggests Roman habitation.

One of Swansea's most popular bays is a powerful magnet for families, horseriders, windsurfers and surfers. Few people remember Caswell Bay's old windmill, perched on the headland above the beach, and only the initiated are aware of the overgrown Iron Age hillfort which is located to the west of Caswell Bay. Landside of the bay, Bishop's Wood Nature Reserve is popular with walkers, the woodland path is abbreviated by the ruins of Caswell Chapel, a square priest's house and the stone lined aperture of St.Peter's well and spring.

Distinctive Langland Bay has been a seaside playground for a hundred years or so. Characterised by its khaki and white bayside beach huts, Langland is a famous surfing bay. The tennis courts and exclusive golf club provide popular alternative land-based activities. Langland is a dramatic 2 kilometre cliff walk east from Caswell Bay via a narrow coastal path.