Penmaen and Nicholaston are nestled at the foot of the gentle slopes of Cefn Bryn, the hill that dominates the centre of the peninsula, about a mile West of Parkmill.  Both are fortunate enough to have stunning views over the surrounding countryside and the beaches of Three Cliffs Bay, Tor Bay, Nicholaston Burrows and Oxwich Bay are all within easy walking distance. The landscape in this area is quite diverse, which just adds to the beauty. Grassed fields, fresh water rivers flowing to the sea, limestone cliffs and woodlands leading down through sand dunes to the glorious sandy beaches. (I suppose that I am biased. This is my favourite part of Gower). The most dominant building in Penmaen is that of the former workhouse, which is now a nursing home. The imposing Nicholaston House, which was originally built by a retired sea captain in the 1880’s, stands majestically to the North and is now a Christian retreat centre. There is a small cafe and farm shop in Nicholaston that also offers seasonal “pick your own”. They are open between 8am and 6pm every day and there is a variety of fruit and veg on offer including potatoes, broad beans, asparagus, strawberries, currants, gooseberries and rhubarb. The village of Oxwich is located at the Western end of the bay.

Self Catering

Dolphin Cottage

Three Cliffs, Penmaen, Swansea, SA3 2HD

A unique opportunity to get away from it all in one of a pair of moss sedum roofed, oak-framed cottages that won the Gower Society Design Award 2014. A perfect relaxing hideaway for two, enjoying a commanding view of the breathtakingly beautiful Three Cliffs Bay.

  • 7 Nights From£1050
  • Sleeps 2
  • Bedrooms 1
  • PetsNo
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Self Catering

Hillcrest

Three Cliffs, Penmaen, Swansea, SA3 2HD

A unique opportunity to get away from it all in one of a pair of moss sedum roofed, oak-framed cottages that won the Gower Society Design Award 2014. A perfect relaxing hideaway for two, enjoying a commanding view of the breathtakingly beautiful Three Cliffs Bay.

  • 7 Nights From£950
  • Sleeps 2
  • Bedrooms 1
  • PetsNo
Details
Self Catering

Beach View

Three Cliffs, Penmaen, Swansea, SA3 2HD

A wonderful opportunity to get away from it all in an oak-framed cottage sleeping up to 4 people (I king and 1 king/twin ) overlooking the breathtakingly beautiful Three Cliffs Bay.

  • 7 Nights From£1200
  • Sleeps 4
  • Bedrooms 2
  • PetsNo
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St Mary’s Chapel, Penmaen Burrows

Penmaen, Swansea, SA3 2HH
The above photo shows the remaining foundations of the (possibly besanded) medieval chapel of St Mary which was abandoned by 1320.   St Mary’s Chapel, Penmaen Burrows was the original church of Penmaen and had connections with the castle at Penmaen (the ringwork remains which lay opposite Pennard Castle).  It is possible that St Mary’...
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Nicholaston Burrows

Penmaen, Swansea, SA3 2HH

Nicholaston Burrows is much quieter than the Western end of Oxwich Bay because of its relative isolation.

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Tor Bay

Penmaen, Swansea, SA3 2HH

Tor Bay is a large sandy beach that is shaped like a horseshoe.

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Three Cliffs Bay

Pennard, Swansea, SA3 2HB

Three Cliff Bay is one of the most photographed areas of Gower and is also commonly known as Three Cliffs.

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Pennard Burrows

Pennard, Swansea, SA3 2HB

This is where it gets really exciting. A wooded valley with a fresh water river (Pennard Pill) meandering through a vast open space surrounded by sand dunes and limestone features before flowing into the sea. Great.

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St John the Baptist Church

Penmaen, Swansea, SA3 2HQ

The original church was probably on the burrows above Three Cliffs Bay. This was besanded in the early 14th century, and probably directly replaced by the present one.

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St Nicholas Church

Nicholaston, Swansea, SA3 2HL

The earlier church was nearer the sea, and the present one built in the 14th century. A medieval tombstone stands in the porch, and the font is probably the original Norman from the first church.

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Useful Information

Please view the area map below to get your bearings and familiarise yourself with the roads.  The table shows the approximate travelling times by car, from Penmaen, to the various villages.

Map of the Gower Peninsula

Map of the Gower Peninsula

Village
mins by car
Bishopston (and Kittle, Murton)
15
Dunvant
15
Horton
20
Llangennith
20
Llanmadoc (and Cheriton, Cwm Ivy, Landimore)
20
Llanrhidian (and Cilibion, Oldwalls)
20
Mumbles (and Langland)
15
Oxwich (and Oxwich Green, Slade)
10
Parkmill (and Ilston, Llethryd, Lunnon)
5
Penclawdd (and Blue Anchor, Cilonnen, Crofty, Llanmorlais, Welshmoor, Wernffrwd)
20
Penmaen (and Nicholaston)
0
Pennard (and Southgate)
10
Port Eynon (and Overton, Scurlage)
15
Reynoldston (and Burry, Burry Green, Fairyhill, Knelston, Llandewi)
10
Rhossili (and Middleton, Pilton Green, Pilton Moor, Pitton, Pitton Cross)
20
Swansea
15
Three Crosses
10
Upper Killay
15