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Pennard Cliffs and Burrows (Three Cliffs Bay)

Pennard Cliffs (predominantly owned by the National Trust) are a rugged and wildly beautiful stretch of coast on South Gower, with the much photographed Three Cliffs Bay at one end and the equally picturesque Pwll Du Bay at the other end, an approximate distance of 4 miles apart.

Pennard Cliffs are common land which means that commoners (local farmers in the main) have the right to graze their livestock here. The cliff faces are of particular importance for wildlife such as rare alpine plants, including yellow whitlow grass (the county flower of Swansea) and nesting birds including ravens and chough. Pennard Burrows are situated behind the cliffs upon which lies Pennard Golf Course.

Pennard Castle sits on the edge of the golf course and was built between 12th -14th centuries, probably by Henry de Beaumont, the first Earl of Warwick. Other historic features on the cliffs include the remains of High Pennard Camp which was an Iron Age Coastal Fort - one of many along the Gower coast. The only visible remains are the low mounds and ditches in the ground which once formed the basis of the defences of the fort.

Highlights

On a clear day there are fantastic views across to the North Devon Coast and along the South Gower coast. 

Designations

  • Common land
  • Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI)
  • Site falls within Gower Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB)
  • Heritage Coast
  • Scheduled Ancient Monuments (SAMs) - Pennard Castle and Church (AM008) and High Pennard Camp (AM009)

Site lies within

  • Gower Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB)
  • West Gower landscape which is included in the Register of Landscapes or Outstanding Historic Interest in Wales (CCW/CADW: Welsh Historic Monuments/ICOMOS UK 1998, 53-56)

Facilities

  • Car park at Southgate (National Trust owned with charge during peak times)
  • Public toilets next to café at Southgate
  • Three Cliffs Café at Southgate

Accessibility

Partial wheelchair/pushchair access possible on minor road running along the cliffs, leading from Southgate to Pwll Du Bay and for short distance along access road from Southgate towards Three Cliffs Bay.

Access information

Grid Reference SS547884
OS Explorer Map 164 Gower

The site is free to access although donations to the National Trust are very welcome, to enable them to fund the continued management work required on this site.

The easiest place to access Pennard Cliffs from is Southgate where there is a car park, bus stop and facilities.

Footpaths

There are footpaths along the cliffs and through the Burrows. There are two self guided walks leaflets covering east and west Pennard Cliffs, produced by the National Trust and available from the National Trust Visitor Centre, local shops.

Car

From Swansea follow the B4426 and then signs to Pennard and Southgate where the road terminates and there is a car park.

Buses

There are regular buses from Swansea to Southgate which adjacent to Pennard Cliffs, and by Three Cliffs Café.

Bridleways

There are some bridlepaths along the cliffs.

Note: Please keep dogs under strict control at all times to avoid disturbance to wildlife and to sheep and cattle grazing on the cliff top.

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