Rhossili Down

Wind hits your face the moment you step out of the car park, and that's just the start of what makes this 633-foot summit one of South Wales's most rewarding climbs. The path up from Rhossili village is steep but manageable - proper walking boots help on the sometimes boggy ground.

Families with older children will love the adventure, though toddlers might find the terrain challenging. History buffs get a double treat: Bronze Age burial mounds dot the hillside, and the views stretch to Lundy Island on clear days. The real prize is the panoramic sweep across Rhossili Bay's three-mile curve of sand below.

Allow two hours for the round trip if you're taking photos and soaking up the atmosphere. Early morning visits reward you with fewer crowds and often clearer air. Winter can be brutal up here - the wind cuts right through you - but that's when the drama really shows.

Staying at Hillend Camping Park puts you right at the base, while Pitton Cross and Broughton Farm are both handy launching points for Gower exploration. The down works brilliantly as part of a longer Gower coast walk, linking easily with the clifftop path that runs past Worm's Head. Free to climb, open all hours, and genuinely spectacular when the weather plays ball.