I walked the Pennard Cliffs circular on a cool autumn afternoon, when the sky was bright but the air carried enough bite to keep me moving. The drive down through Southgate was straightforward, though the National Trust car park at the village was already filling with dog walkers and families. I slotted into a space, tightened my boots, zipped my jacket, and set off toward the coast.
The first steps out of Southgate led quickly to the open clifftop path. The ground was firm, short grass underfoot, but the edge dropped steeply away to the sea, so I kept to the inside line where the footing felt secure. The wind was strong here, enough to push against, and I was glad for the jacket and hat I’d thrown in at the last minute.
Looking west, I could see Oxwich Bay stretching wide, while to the east, the jagged peaks of Three Cliffs Bay rose above the estuary. Few spots on Gower give such instant rewards for so little effort.
The path wound gently upward, no steep climbs but enough of a rise to work the legs. Pennard Castle came into view soon after, its ruins perched dramatically above the estuary. Even from a distance, the silhouette was striking. I left the main path briefly to explore the remains — arches, walls, and gaps that framed the landscape beyond. Standing there, it was easy to see why the castle was built on this vantage point.
From the castle, I dropped down toward the estuary. The descent was sandy and loose, requiring careful steps. At the bottom, the stream wound its way across the flats toward the bay. With the tide out, the crossing was easy, though the wet sand pulled at the boots in places. A family ahead of me picked their way across, one of the children inevitably finding the deepest patch and soaking a trainer to laughter all round.
The valley itself was quiet, the slopes lined with grass and scattered scrub. The contrast with the exposed cliffs above was clear — sheltered, still, and more enclosed.
The path climbed back steadily toward Southgate, looping inland through open fields before rejoining the clifftop trail. The final stretch gave another sweep of views across the coast, the light beginning to soften as the afternoon wore on. My legs felt the steady climb but nothing beyond what a slow pace could handle.
Back at the car park, I swapped boots for trainers and stopped at the nearby café for a coffee before heading home.
The Pennard Cliffs circular is a short but rewarding walk, offering views that feel much larger than the distance suggests. With its mix of cliff edges, castle ruins, and estuary crossings, it delivers variety and atmosphere in equal measure. On this outing, the autumn light gave the landscape a sharpness that suited the rugged setting perfectly.
– **Distance**: About 4 miles (circular).
– **Weather**: Cool autumn afternoon, strong coastal wind.
– **Terrain**: Grassy clifftop paths, sandy descents, estuary crossing.
– **Parking**: National Trust car park at Southgate.
– **Gear**: Boots with grip, windproof jacket, hat for exposed sections.
