Gower

Wild Atlantic winds whip across clifftops where sheep graze between ancient burial chambers and Bronze Age ruins. The Gower Peninsula feels like Wales at its most untamed - a finger of limestone and sandstone jutting into the Bristol Channel, crowned by some of Britain's finest beaches.

Rhossili Bay sweeps for three magnificent miles below towering cliffs, consistently rated among Europe's best beaches. The walk down from Rhossili village takes twenty minutes, but the climb back up will have you gasping. Worth every step though. At low tide, the skeletal remains of the Helvetia shipwreck emerge from the sand like a Gothic sculpture.

Rhossili Down rises 193 metres above the bay, offering cracking views across to Devon on clear days. The summit walk from the National Trust car park is an easy hour, passing Swaynes Howes burial chambers where Bronze Age chieftains once rested. Below, Llangennith Beach stretches north towards Burry Holms island, popular with surfers when the Atlantic swell cooperates.

Swansea city centre lies just 45 minutes away by car, making this surprisingly accessible for such wild country. The A4118 winds through the peninsula's heart, passing stone villages and farm gates that open onto clifftop paths. Parking fills quickly at Rhossili in summer - arrive early or face a proper trek from overflow areas.

Staying at one of the peninsula's holiday parks puts you right in the action. Pitton Cross and Hillend offer easy access to both north and south coasts, while Whiteford Bay sits perfectly for exploring the saltmarshes and cockle beds around Burry Port. After a day battling coastal winds, nothing beats a warm caravan and a proper Welsh cawl.