I’ve travelled all over the world and have been lucky to visit some of the most famous and beautiful beaches on the planet – and yet I often find myself saying ‘You know what, we have better ones in the Gower’.
We’re so lucky in this part of the world to have unspoilt, sandy beaches with spectacular nature. Sure, we don’t always have the sun on our side, but when it is shining, there’s no better place to be than a beach in Gower – the first place to have been awarded the title of ‘area of outstanding natural beauty’.
Langland Bay
Maybe the most popular of these beaches is Langland Bay, Gower – just a few minutes up the hill from the popular village and tourist destination, Mumbles. It’s probably the most family-friendly beach and one of the most popular serving destinations in Gower.
Langland is famous for its green and white beach huts which are sought after by locals who enter a ballot to be able to rent one for the year. It also has a big sandy bay, some pebbles with rockpools and caves to explore.
It’s one of the busier beaches, perfect for families as it has more amenities than the other beaches on the Gower. There’s The Langland Brasserie if you want a high-end lunch or a beer in the sun, a little ‘hole in the wall’ shop selling chips, buckets and spades etc, and a cafe with indoor and outdoor seating if you want something low-key or an ice cream.
Langland Bay is a lifeguarded beach, so is patrolled during certain times which you can see here.
Behind the huts, you’ll find tennis courts, toilets and showers and the car park, which can be a bit pricey in the summer months. Lots of people park on the top of the hill and then walk down to avoid worrying about the car parks which can get full up, quickly.
You’re right on the Coastal Path on Langland Bay, which you must do if you visit. The views are breathtaking and it’s not a horrendously hard walk if you’re somewhat fit – I do it with my pram all the time, though there are some steps.
It means you can wander over to Caswell Bay, which is probably my favourite beach, or go in the other direction to Rotherslade and then Bracelet Bay where you’ll find Forte’s Ice-Cream, The Lighthouse Restaurant and a bit further down, Mumbles Pier with its arcade, cafe and chip shop.
Langland Bay Webcam
The Langland Bay Webcam is a valuable source for those who want to visit Langland Bay. It provides a live feed, which is helpful to see what the tide looks like, if the surf is good, what the weather is like, and if there are too many people!
Langland Bay isn’t just a beach for the summer months – locals are on it literally 365 days a year – cold water swimming, sometimes in the snow and surfing. So it’s quite nice to have a nose at braver beach-goers while in the warmth of your home.
Langland Bay Hotel
Want to stay in a hotel on or close to Langland Bay? Your best bet is actually a B&B – asnthere are no super close hotels in the area. A good example is Langland Bay House, but many options exist. Until I’ve properly reviewed the major ones in the area (it’s on my list of things to do), I’d suggest getting on Google and checking out reviews. A lot of the popular ones won’t be on Airbnb, so don’t only check out that site for places to stay.
If you really insist on a LandLand Bay Hotel, your best bet would be to hit Mumbles where there’s the Carlton Hotel (which honestly, have never liked the look of) or Oyster House Boutique hotel, which is a relatively new and I’ve heard good things from friends who have stayed there. You could walk to Langland from there if you really wanted to, but it would involve a sizable hill in your flip-flops. It’s doable, but it’s five minutes in the car.
A little more into Gower, just off the lovely little village, Bishopston – there’s the three-star New Gower Hotel and Restaurant which looks pretty nice. I’ve been meaning to try out the restaurant there for ages as the food looks so good on its social media. It would still be a bit of a walk to Langland, as you’d hit Caswell first and then have to use the Coastal Path to walk over to Langland Bay.
Langland Bay Brasserie
I’ve written a full review of Langland Bay Brasserie which you can read here, but spoiler alert, it’s my favourite place to eat in Swansea. The food is wonderful, and the view is even better.
It’s a little more expensive than other restaurants in Mumbles and the city centre, but I think it’s worth it if you’re treating yourself. You may even find yourself shoulder-to-shoulder with a celebrity. My partner has never gotten over seeing Jenson Button and some other F1 stars eating there on their Instagram when we were on the other side of the country – he’s his biggest fan!
Be aware if you want breakfast there, a roast on Sunday, or to visit during a busy seasonal period, you need to book ahead as it fills up extremely quickly.
Langland Bay reviews
I love Langland Bay – it’s a million times better than Byron Bay or Malibu Beach, in my opinion, but I’m a bit biased! So what do others think?
Excellent Bay for beach and relaxing .Supe Wine bar/Bistro right on the seafront. Narrow roads to get here but well worth it. Beach huts line the shore and sand beach. Fab views and child safe.
You cannot match the sheer beauty of this beach. Perfect for a day out in the fresh air, searching for shells and just being.
It’s a great beach with a surfing scene. Boards of all shapes and sizes were out with enough decent waves for all. The beach is clean and easily accessible.
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