The county of Swansea contains the city of the same name, and a hilly area (the Lliw uplands) to the north, centred on 974-foot Mynydd Garn-fach, but the majority of the area is the Gower Peninsula, probably the most scenic section of the south Wales coast, and the first location in the UK to be categorised as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (in 1956). The partly wooded peninsula is lined by a mix of limestone cliffs, small coves and long sandy beaches, and includes many caves, sea stacks and other rock formations. One of the most famous locations is Three Cliffs Bay, at the edge of the larger Oxwich Bay. The north edge of the peninsula borders the estuary of the River Loughor and is less pretty, however; mostly muddy and marshy.
Because of its strategic importance. the Gower Peninsula is ringed by castles - seven in all, in various states of ruin. There are no other major historic sites in the county.
Because of its strategic importance. the Gower Peninsula is ringed by castles - seven in all, in various states of ruin. There are no other major historic sites in the county.
Castles Minor but interesting and photogenic castle remains near the coast; a tower and earthwork, on the site of a Roman fort Rating: ★★★★★ |
 Impressive ruins of a Tudor mansion, on the foundations of a medieval castle Rating: ★★★★★ |
 Well preserved 12th century castle on a ridge above Mumbles Head, overlooking Swansea Bay Rating: ★★★★★ |
 isolated remains of a 12th century fortification on the bluffs above Three Cliffs Bay, on the Gower Peninsula Rating: ★★★★★ |
 Large but privately-owned remains of a 13th century castle, inland from Oxwich Bay; viewable only from a distance Rating: ★★★★★ |
 City centre ruins of a mostly demolished 13th century castle, surrounded on all sides by modern buildings Rating: ★★★★★ |
 Substantial remains of a 14th century fortified mansion on the Gower Peninsula, overlooking the coast Rating: ★★★★★ |
Coastline Two sandy beaches lined by eroded cliffs of inclined limestone, linked by a short section of the coast path Rating: ★★★★★ |
 Three miles of limestone coastline; wave-cut terraces and other eroded formations, beneath grassy bluffs and higher cliffs Rating: ★★★★★ |
 Varied habitats beside Oxwich Bay on the south side of the Gower Peninsula, including dunes, saltmarsh, woodland and freshwater marsh Rating: ★★★★★ |
 Spectacular, lightly-travelled, two mile section of the southern coast; limestone hills sloping down to rocky inlets, sea caves and wave-cut terraces Rating: ★★★★★ |
 Broad sandy beaches separated by a line of limestone cliffs, a tidal island, and grassy sand dunes Rating: ★★★★★ |
 Three miles of the most rugged, inaccessible and least-visited section of the Gower coastline Rating: ★★★★★ |
 Sandy inlet on the Gower Peninsula, bordered by dramatic cliffs, centred on a narrow promontory and crossed by a stream Rating: ★★★★★ |
 Sandy beaches, grassy dunes, wetlands and forest, on the remote northwestern corner of the Gower Peninsula Rating: ★★★★★ |
 Tidal island south of Rhossili Bay at the western tip of the Gower Peninsula, surrounded by limestone cliffs and eroded formations Rating: ★★★★★ |