Holiday rentals and lettings in Gower

Table of contents

• At a glance: what should you know about holiday rentals in Gower?
• Holiday rentals in Gower: find your perfect retreat
• Exploring Gower: our top recommendations
• Activities: what are the top things to do and see in Gower?

• Choice of stays: Self-catering cottages, holiday homes, B&Bs and glamping sites sit across the peninsula, giving you plenty of options.
• Where to base yourself: Rhossili and Oxwich suit beach days, Mumbles offers shops and restaurants, whilst Parkmill and Penmaen put the Three Cliffs Bay walks on your doorstep.
• Top-rated by guests: Recent visitors rate Gower cottages highly for cleanliness, warm welcomes and quiet coastal settings, with several properties scoring a perfect 10.0 over the past year.
• When to visit: Summer brings warm beach days and lively villages, whilst spring and autumn are quieter and ideal for walking the coast in comfort.
• What to do: Walk to Worm's Head, surf at Llangennith, explore Oxwich Castle and refuel with a Mumbles ice cream.

Couples and families gravitate towards cosy holiday cottages in Gower, whilst larger groups often prefer spacious holiday homes with room to spread out. Travelling with the dog? There are plenty of dog-friendly cottages within easy reach of the beaches and the coast path. The most popular amenities on the peninsula make a real difference:

• Fast Wi-Fi throughout
• A private garden or terrace for lazy breakfasts after a beach walk
• A balcony or window with sea views across the bays
• Off-road parking, handy for reaching Rhossili and Oxwich
• Pet-friendly touches for holidays with dogs

With Wi-Fi widely available and most homes set up for a longer stay, Gower works well for a relaxed week away.

What are the best areas to stay in Gower?

The best base depends on your plans, but Mumbles is the most popular gateway to the peninsula. The table below details areas for specific interests:

What do our guests say?

Gower stays earn consistently high marks from recent guests, who praise the warm welcomes, spotless cottages and peaceful settings just minutes from the coast. Families highlight how much there is to do within a short drive, whilst couples love returning to a quiet retreat after a day on the sand. Pet owners are especially complimentary about how easy it is to bring the dog along.

Here are our top-rated holiday rentals from the past year:

1. Brynymor Cottage - 10.0: A charming cottage near Swansea sleeping five, with a private yard guests love for unwinding after a day exploring the Gower beaches.
2. Ceiliog Bach - 10.0: A welcoming pet-friendly cottage for four with an enclosed yard, praised for its peaceful setting and easy reach of the coast path.
3. Briardene - 2 Bedroom Cottage - Oxwich - 10.0: A cosy two-bedroom, dog-friendly cottage moments from Oxwich Bay, ideal for couples and small families wanting sheltered sands close by.

Gower is a compact peninsula on the South Wales coast, reaching west from Swansea into the sea. In 1956 it became the United Kingdom's first designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

✈️What is the best way to get to Gower?

Most visitors arrive by car, since the peninsula has no railway station of its own. Here are the most common ways to get to the peninsula:

• Car: The simplest option. Leave the M4 at Swansea (junction 42 or 47) and follow the A4118 towards Port Eynon and Oxwich, or the B4436 for Mumbles and the south coast. Fill up at a petrol station in Swansea, as options thin out further along the peninsula.
• Train and coach: Fast trains run to Swansea from Cardiff, Bristol and London Paddington. Swansea has no onward rail link into Gower, so continue by local bus or coach towards Mumbles, Bishopston and Rhossili, or take a taxi. It is an easy, scenic final leg of around 30 to 60 minutes depending on your destination.

🥗Where to eat in Gower?

According to Google Maps data and reviews, Beach House Restaurant in Oxwich is the best-rated restaurant in Gower. Below is a table showing the top 5 highly-rated restaurants hand-picked by our travel experts.

⭐Our guests' recommendation: Our guest travellers Nia and Sam recommend Surfside Café at Caswell Bay in Gower: a laid-back spot for brunch with sea views, perfect after an early-morning dip or a gentle stroll along the bay.

☀️When is the best time to visit?

Gower is a year-round destination, but late spring to early autumn (May to September) offers the warmest, driest weather for the beaches and the coast path. July and August are the busiest months, so for quieter sands and lower rates, aim for June or September. Walkers often prefer the crisp, clear days of autumn.

Spring (March to May)

• Best for: Walkers and early-season beach trips before the crowds arrive.
• Weather: Mild and fresh, with longer days and the occasional shower.
• Atmosphere: Quiet and green, with wildflowers along the cliff paths.

Summer (June to August)

• Best for: Families, surfers and beach lovers.
• Weather: Warm and mostly dry, the peak of the season.
• Atmosphere: Lively and busy, especially around Rhossili and Mumbles.

Autumn (September to November)

• Best for: Peaceful coastal walks and photography.
• Weather: Cooler, with bright, clear spells between bouts of rain.
• Atmosphere: Calm and uncrowded, with golden light over the bays.

⭐Our hosts' recommendation: Our Gower local expert, Rhian of Rose Cottage - 3 Bedroom Cottage - Parkmill, recommends walking down to Three Cliffs Bay at low tide and crossing the stepping stones beneath Pennard Castle. You can read more about local tips on Rhian's page.

1. Walk out to Worm's Head at Rhossili
2. Surf and unwind at Llangennith
3. Take in the view over Three Cliffs Bay
4. Explore Oxwich Castle and Oxwich Bay
5. Wander the seafront at Mumbles

1. Walk out to Worm's Head at Rhossili

   Rhossili Bay regularly tops polls of Britain's best beaches, and the walk out to Worm's Head is the highlight of any Gower visit. The tidal island is only reachable for about two and a half hours either side of low tide, so check the tide times before you set off. Even from the clifftop the views are spectacular, sweeping across three miles of sand towards Llangennith.

2. Surf and unwind at Llangennith

   The long, exposed beach at Llangennith catches the best surf on the peninsula, making it a favourite with surfers and bodyboarders. Lessons and board hire are easy to arrange, and beginners will find plenty of space to practise. When you have had enough of the waves, the dunes are ideal for a picnic and the nearby King's Head serves a well-earned dinner.

3. Take in the view over Three Cliffs Bay

   Often called the most beautiful bay in Wales, Three Cliffs Bay is framed by its distinctive triple-pointed cliffs and a winding river crossed by stepping stones. The viewpoint near Penmaen is one of the most photographed spots in Gower, with the ruins of Pennard Castle perched above. If the views inspire you, you will find plenty of cottages across the rest of Wales for a longer Welsh tour.

4. Explore Oxwich Castle and Oxwich Bay

   Sheltered Oxwich Bay combines a wide sandy beach with woodland, dunes and a nature reserve, making it a relaxed choice for families. Just behind the beach, Oxwich Castle is a grand Tudor manor house with sweeping views across the bay. The calm, shallow water is well suited to paddling and swimming, and there is parking close by.

5. Wander the seafront at Mumbles

   Mumbles is the lively gateway to Gower, strung along the western edge of Swansea Bay. Stroll the Victorian pier, climb up towards the lighthouse, browse the independent shops and join the queue at Verdi's for an ice cream with a sea view. It also makes a handy base for keen campers planning to head on to camping in Snowdonia later in the trip.