Oxwich Bay

Oxwich Bay is one of the Gower Peninsula's most charming spots, offering a blend of natural beauty, luxury, and recreation. This stunning bay provides a memorable experience with pristine sandy shores, gourmet dining, and tranquil accommodation options. Easily accessible by car, Oxwich Bay Beach has a spacious parking area nearby (charges apply, so bring change or check for card payment options). For those up for a stroll, a scenic coastal path leads to the beach from nearby locations like Port Eynon or Three Cliffs Bay. Known for its wide, sandy expanse, Oxwich Beach is perfect for family-friendly outings, watersports, and tranquil walks. The bay’s gentle slope and clear waters make it ideal for safe swimming and paddleboarding.

Oxwich Bay also boasts the award-winning Beach House Restaurant, celebrated for its stunning views and exquisite, locally-sourced seafood. Located right on the beachfront, diners here can enjoy ocean views while savouring dishes crafted by expert chefs. With its modern take on Welsh cuisine, the Beach House has earned a reputation as a must-visit for food lovers in the area. Reservations are highly recommended, especially in the busy summer months and on weekends.

For a comfortable stay, the Oxwich Bay Hotel offers fantastic beachfront accommodations with a variety of options, from cozy double rooms to charming chalets and even glamping pods. Situated just steps away from the beach, this hotel combines traditional charm with modern amenities, including an on-site bar and restaurant. You may even find special packages that bundle beachfront stays with local tours or dining options, perfect for an immersive Oxwich Bay experience.

Those who enjoy coastal walks will find Oxwich Bay part of the Wales Coast Path, with trails that showcase the Gower’s dramatic coastline and lush landscapes. The Oxwich Point Walk is a popular loop that offers sweeping views of the bay, winding along cliffs, through woodlands, and down to hidden coves. Another option is the Three Cliffs Bay Walk, where you can start at Oxwich and follow the coastal path to Three Cliffs Bay, known for its distinctive rock formations. This moderate walk takes around 1–1.5 hours one way and rewards visitors with breathtaking views. For a more tranquil experience, the Oxwich Nature Reserve Trail winds through sand dunes, salt marshes, and woodlands, allowing for closer encounters with local flora and fauna such as rare orchids, butterflies, and native bird species.

With its combination of scenic beauty, quality dining, comfortable accommodation, and adventurous coastal walks, Oxwich Bay is a destination that promises a fulfilling escape into the natural charm of the Gower Peninsula.

Now surrounded by exceptionally varied countryside classified as a National Nature Reserve, Oxwich was once a small port exporting limestone quarried from the headland of Oxwich Point. John Wesley lived here in a cottage called ‘The Nook’. The village, with its colourful quarrymen’s cottages, several of them thatched, feels deceptively remote from the rest of the world. The bay used to have a reputation for smuggling and ‘wrecking’, and there have been many shipwrecks both accidental and deliberate in its treacherous waters. The remains of one wreck, torpedoed during World War Two, can sometimes be seen at low water. In 1911, a Mr E. Sutton accomplished the first aeroplane flight in Wales from the long, flat sands of Oxwich in a Bleriot Monoplane.

Beyond the Oxwich Bay Hotel, which is located almost on the beach, a track leads towards Oxwich Point. It heads up the cliff through woodlands and past the ancient little church of St Illtyd, the subject of many myths and fairy tales. From further up there are splendid views of the bay and the Bristol Channel. Oxwich Castle is a fortified Tudor manor house and was constructed by the Mansel family, notorious for their plundering of local shipwrecks.

Beach Amenities and Activities

Oxwich Bay is an excellent destination for watersports enthusiasts, with a variety of activities available to suit all levels of experience. The bay’s gently sloping sands and sheltered waters provide ideal conditions, particularly for families or beginners who may be looking for a safe and relaxed environment. For those interested in paddleboarding, Oxwich Bay’s calm, shallow waters make it a fantastic spot to learn or enjoy a leisurely paddle. The bay’s wide expanse offers plenty of space to glide across the water, and you’ll often see paddleboarders exploring the shoreline and surrounding natural features. Paddleboarding lessons are available through local providers, where equipment can also be hired if you don’t have your own.

Another popular activity is kayaking, which allows visitors to explore the bay's scenic coastline, with rocky cliffs, hidden coves, and diverse wildlife to discover. Kayak rentals are typically available right on the beach, and experienced guides are on hand to lead group tours. These tours provide fascinating insights into the local marine environment and bring participants up close to the bay’s varied wildlife, such as seabirds, fish, and possibly even seals on occasion. For those seeking more speed, jet skiing offers a thrilling way to experience Oxwich Bay. Although regulations are in place to maintain the bay’s tranquillity and ensure the safety of all visitors, specific zones allow for the excitement of jet skiing without disrupting other beachgoers. Jet ski rentals and safety gear are available from local operators, and there’s guidance for both beginners and those with previous experience to ensure a safe and enjoyable ride.

Finally, Oxwich Bay also caters to windsurfers when the conditions are right. While the bay is sheltered, occasional breezes make it possible to enjoy windsurfing, especially for those with some experience. The bay’s moderate winds create a suitable environment for intermediate-level windsurfers who want to practice their skills against the beautiful backdrop of the Gower Peninsula.

All watersports providers at Oxwich Bay are committed to safety and preserving the natural environment. They typically provide necessary safety gear and instructions to ensure a responsible and enjoyable experience for all.

Getting there

From the A4118 main road along South Gower, a road signposted to Oxwich heads south at a junction dominated by Penrice Castle. There is no access to the private 13th-century ruin, but from both roads there are enticing glimpses of the most formidable fortification built by the Normans after finally gaining control of Gower in 1099. It can also be viewed at leisure from the footpath through the large, formal Penrice Estate, as can the imposing 18th-century Penrice mansion and the great artificial lake, which is now a heronry.

The minor road dips down to the strange landscape known as Oxwich Marsh, which has a haunted quality even in broad sunlight. It is a nature reserve comprising freshwater marshes to the west and a salt marsh to the east, with dense woods to the north and south. After about a mile the small village of Oxwich is reached, where there is an official car park. Beyond this lies the panorama of Oxwich Bay, the longest expanse of sand in South Gower, backed by sand dunes, woodland, cliffs and Cefn Bryn, the spine of Gower.