I walked out to Burry Holms and along the northern stretch of Rhossili Bay on a clear winter morning, when the air was cold but the horizon was sharp. The drive through Llangennith was quiet at that time of year, and parking in the large field near the beach was simple. Boots on, jacket zipped, and gloves pulled tight, I headed down the sandy track toward the bay.
The tide was low, exposing the causeway of sand that connects the mainland to Burry Holms. The surface was firm underfoot, rippled by the retreating water. It’s always a walk that feels slightly different depending on the tide, and today the crossing was straightforward. The wind carried strongly across the open bay, but the footing was easy compared to the dunes behind me.
Climbing onto Burry Holms, the ground rose into a grassy plateau. The views back across Rhossili Bay were wide and empty, the sand stretching for miles southward. The island itself was quiet, with only a few gulls wheeling overhead. I wandered around the earthworks that hint at its history — remains of an old hill fort — before stopping at the western edge to watch the surf roll in.
Dropping back down, I turned south and walked the open stretch of northern Rhossili Bay. The sand was firm and flat, easy to cover ground at pace. The bay was almost deserted — a single dog walker in the distance, their figure barely visible against the expanse of beach. The sense of scale here was striking, with Worm’s Head far on the horizon.
I walked for a mile or so before stopping, the sound of the surf the only constant. The cold air was sharp, stinging the face, but the steady rhythm of the waves made it a good place to pause with water and a snack from the pack.
The return was along the same beach, the wind now at my back. The footprints I had left earlier were already softened by the breeze, barely visible in the sand. The final climb through the dunes to the car park was heavier going, the soft sand dragging at the boots, but soon enough I was back at the car.
I finished the walk sitting on the tailgate with a hot drink from a flask, watching surfers heading into the water despite the cold.
Burry Holms and the northern end of Rhossili Bay deliver a walk of openness and solitude. The tidal island adds a sense of adventure, while the endless stretch of sand reminds you of the scale of this coastline. Even on a cold winter day, the route feels rewarding, with effort balanced by views that are simple and vast.
– **Distance**: Around 4 miles (out and back, including Burry Holms).
– **Weather**: Cold winter morning, clear skies, strong breeze.
– **Terrain**: Firm beach sand, grassy plateau on island, soft dunes.
– **Parking**: Large pay-and-display field at Llangennith.
– **Gear**: Boots, warm layers, gloves, hot drink for the finish.
