Hidden UK city boasts a stunning secret beach reached only by three scenic trails
- UK Hidden Gems
- 2 days ago
- 2 min read
This beautiful hidden beach is the perfect escape from the busy pace of the city.
Just under 30 minutes from Swansea city centre, this hidden gem is a secret beach on the Gower Peninsula.
It can only be reached on foot, with three scenic walking trails starting from Bishopston, Pennard, or Caswell, each leading to this quiet coastal spot.
Taking the route from Pennard or through Bishopston Valley offers a one-hour walk along the stunning Welsh coastline.
Pwll Du Bay also links to Brandy Cove, another peaceful spot, which is about 20 minutes away on foot and best reached from Caswell.
Both beaches are hidden treasures, far less crowded than the region’s more popular stretches of sand.
Despite its name, which translates to "blackpool", Pwll Du couldn’t be more different from the busy northern seaside city.
Instead, it is a calm, secluded bay that attracts birdwatchers and those looking for real peace and quiet.
The unusual name actually comes from the deep pool just behind the beach, where a small stream flows through the pebbles before reaching the sea.
But behind its calm beauty, Pwll Du Bay has a tragic past, as it was the site of a shipwreck back in 1760.
Close by is an area known as Graves End, marked by a ring of limestone rocks. It is believed to be the burial place of those who lost their lives in the wreck.
The ship, named The Caesar, was a Royal Navy vessel used to search for and recruit sailors. Caught in a violent storm, it was driven onto the headland at Pwll Du where it was destroyed.
Although many officers managed to survive, around 90 men who had been locked below deck are thought to have died when the ship went down.
Remember - LeaveNoTrace!
As with anywhere outdoors, kindly keep these areas pristine and wild by taking all trash with you. The amount of complaints we have seen since the pandemic is crazy. It's really not that hard to take your rubbish with you!
Litter tends to spread, so if you see any and are able to pick it up and dispose of it outside the hidden gem, it will help keep the area tidy.
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