As part of our Green Traveller's Guide to Gower, Paul Bloomfield picks out a selection of activities in this glorious Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty in south Wales, from leaping off cliffs to surfing, stand-up paddleboarding and kitesurfing.
Water babies will never want to leave Gower. Just a bracing swim in the clear blue water of this magical coastline is a special experience, but for anyone wanting more ways to quench their sea fever it's all on offer. From leaping off cliffs to surfing, stand-up paddle-boarding or kitesurfing, if you can think a seaside adventure up then there's an activity provider who will take you out in a wetsuit for a grand old time.
Back on shore, try falconry, learn survival skills, get the kids climbing trees or hop into the saddle for a canter across the sands. You're guaranteed to leave Gower with a happy heart and colour in your cheeks.
Google map: shows the location and details of all the places to stay, local food and drink, nearby visitor attractions and activities in our Green Traveller's Guide to Gower:
Green = Places to stay Blue = Local food & drink Yellow = Attractions Purple = Activities
Activities in Gower
Dryad Bushcraft, Gower
Ever wanted to live off the land or survive by your wits? Learn how, with Dryad Bushcraft, based in Killay, without having to commit to living in a jungle. The list of skills you'll learn (using a knife and axe, lighting a fire, making a shelter, identifying edible plants and more) will have you raring to find your inner GI Joe or Jane. For those less keen to rough it in the woods a one-day 'Wilderness Gourmet' course will teach you to source and cook delicious foraged finds. dryadbushcraft.co.uk
Down to Earth, Gower
The Down to Earth project is a social enterprise with heart whose mantra is 'doing good things together'. As well as a core business in eco building projects and running courses with people from disadvantaged backgrounds the company also offers tailored outdoors adventures in Gower. You can go coasteering, pilot a coracle through the waves or stay over at their beautiful site in one of the tipis and spend a weekend learning how to do anything from crafting a stool to building a clay oven. Be warned, you'll find it hard to leave their idyllic smallholding. downtoearthproject.org.uk
Rip N Rock, Three Cliffs Bay, Gower
Sally Haines and her team love the great outdoors, and it shines through in the tremendously fun, if rather heart-stopping, activities they instruct at Rip N Rock. Plunge into icy waters, learn to surf, go gorge walking, scale the peaks of the Three Cliffs with a climbing day or surf at iconic Rhossili Bay. Families are also very welcome and adventures can be tailored to suit smaller daredevils. ripnrock.co.uk
Gower Coast Adventures, Rhossili, Gower
Hop on a boat with Gower Coast Adventures from May to September and they'll speed you out to sea and along Gower's magical coastline in their powerful 12-person boats. The two-hour trip from Oxwich to Worm's Head and back is especially rewarding as you're likely to spot seals, razorbills and guillemots in the summer months, and porpoise and dolphin are sometimes about in deeper water. Exploring Gower from the sea is one of the loveliest days out you can have on the peninsula. gowercoastadventures.co.uk
Gower Kite Riders, Rhossili, Gower
The closest you can get to flying without wings strapped to you is probably kitesurfing, a rip-roaring extreme sport that, unfortunately, looks a lot easier than it is. Luckily Gower Kite Riders are on hand to teach you the basics, and their friendly instructors can show you how to read the weather, get on to the waves and (eventually) use your kite to take to the air. Stand-up paddleboard lessons and kite buggying is also available. gowerkiteriders.com
Gower Stand Up Paddle, Langland, Gower
The same sport-loving team in charge at Gower Kite Riders also love to ride on the local waves with a paddle in hand. Stand-up paddling is serious fun and it's easy to learn, especially in calm water, so it's a perfect one-day adventure. Board hire and lessons are on offer, or take a longer tour and explore the coast from your board - trips from Mumbles to Langland and Oxwich to Three Cliffs are highlights. supgower.com
Oxwich Watersports, Gower
Thrill-seeking extremist? Tiny, vaguely nervous family? Everyone is catered for at Oxwich Watersports that offers a full range of activities for all levels and ages. Try coasteering, jet skiing, go for a ride in a lightweight catamaran or learn to sail a dinghy in the calm waters of Oxwich Bay with help from the centre's friendly staff. Speed demons should opt for the jet ski experience, the closest you'll get to the feeling of riding a motorbike. oxwichwatersports.co.uk
Surf GSD Gower Surf School, Caswell Bay, Gower
Gower's pristine beaches are the perfect place to learn to surf, and sheltered Caswell Bay has reliable, beginner-friendly swell. Up on the beach is Surf GSD's little shack, from which their staff have been teaching visitors to surf for years. Board hire is available all year round if you want to hit the water yourself, or book a group lesson, private tuition, a family surf day and more. surfgsd.com
Parc-le-Breos Pony Trekking, Parkmill, Gower
Riding with Parc-le-Breos is a delight. The friendly, helpful team have been teaching for years and will make even nervous riders feel totally comfortable on their steady ponies. You'll fall in love with the gorgeous setting where you ride, too - beginners can explore the surrounding deer park, or the more confident can go for a canter along the beach. There's little more exhilarating than a gallop along sand with the verdant peaks of Three Cliffs Bay behind you. If you're into horses then this is an absolute must-do in Gower. parc-le-breos.co.uk/horse-riding-in-gower-south-wales/
The Gower Golf Club, Three Crosses, Gower
All that verdant grass all over Gower making you want to reach for your clubs and a golf ball? Gower's Golf Club is open to non members, and the 18-hole course is as beautiful as you'd expect from the peninsula, set in rolling countryside and with challenges for beginners and experienced golfers alike. The club's Beacons restaurant is perfect for a spot of apres golf sustenance and there's comfortable on-site accommodation available. gowergolf.co.uk
Perriswood Archery and Falconry Centre, Gower
Bring out your inner medieval warrior at Perriswood with a lesson in the art of shooting arrows at targets, or learn to fly one of their beautiful resident birds of prey. Ideal for little and big kids alike, meeting one of the centre's 38 owls, hawks and falcons makes for a wonderful day out. The £14 taster 'Arrows, Talons and Tea' package includes an archery lesson, tea and cake, a falconry display and a chance to hold the birds, whilst half and full-day lessons will teach you to fly them yourself. perriswood.com
For information on local food and drink, nearby visitor attractions and activities, see our
