Favourite Places
Sweyne's Howes
We love this place. It’s like stepping back in time, the immediate landscape having not changed since these chambered burial mounds were built in the Neolithic period 2,000 - 3,000 years BC. It’s about 45 minutes walk along the ridge of Rhossili Downs. OS grid reference SS 4209 of the eastern scarp near the World War 2 listening station remains ( also well worth a visit). There are two ‘former’ portal burial chambers (dolmens), standing around 100 metres (330 feet) apart, and called Sweyne’s Howes or ‘Sweyne’s How’, ‘Swain Houses’ and also ‘Sweye’s Houses’. The place-name Howes or How means or refers to burial mounds or tumuli.
Sweyne was the name of a Scandinavian warlord who lived and died in this area in the 11th century, but the megalithic monuments pre-date him by three thousand years or more. However the chambers (north and south) are now in a poor condition, the northern chamber being the best preserved of the two.
In 1823, William Buckland of Oxford University discovered a skeleton in this cave. The bones were stained red and were accompanied by bracelets and shell beads. Buckland believed that the body was that of a woman, who had lived during the Roman period. Modern science has now proved this appealing theory to be wrong. The skeleton actually belongs to a 25 year old man buried around 26,000 years ago.
Modern humans, like us, first appear in Europe about 60,000 years ago. Our appearance is marked by the use of new types of stone tools made from long thin blades struck from a block of flint. These blades were much more versatile than those of the Neanderthals.
South Gower coastal path (which we are 5 minutes from). This part between Middleton and Port Eynon you are likely to have to yourself most days. We can drop you off at Port Eynon and it’s about a two hour walk back. Things to go and see on the way, Culver Hole, Paviland Cave (tide permitting) and The Knave iron age fort.
Culver Hole
Dating from the 13th or 14th century, Culver Hole is sealed off by a sixty foot high stone wall. Legend has it that there used to be a secret tunnel connecting it with the nearby salt house at Port Eynon for smuggling purposes and that carrier pigeons were also used to send messages between smugglers.
The word "culver" derives from the Old English word "culfre", meaning pigeon or dove. With its ability to breed all year round and its quick regeneration, pigeons provided a plentiful source of red meat - given the necessary shelter and food.
The Knave
This Iron Age hillfort is perched on the edge of cliffs 60 metres high, with magnificent views along the Gower coastline.
C.600BC – C.100AD saw the Iron Age supersede the Bronze Age. There are thirty or more Iron Age sites scattered on the isolated Gower Peninsula, the hill fort at Cil Ifor being probably the finest.
Two other sites have also been excavated extensively, The Knave at Rhossili and The Bulwark on Llanmadoc Hill. The Knave is a coastal promontory fort; two huts have been located there as well as pottery fragments from c.50BC – 50AD.
Worms Head
Worms Head, the island off Rhossili Bays southern end, has a healthy colony of Grey Seals. These are usually visible on the north coast of the island especially around the Devils Bridge this links the inner and outer parts of “The Worm” as the locals call it. Seals should be given plenty of space and should not be approached, especially when with pups. Last summer I was lucky enough to kayak around the worm on a very flat day and I was approached by a few of the more inquisitive residents.
