Rhossili

Welsh Icons - Towns & Villages
Rhossili

 Back

 Previous

Next

Rhossili (Grid reference SS416880) is a small village and community on the southwestern tip of the Gower Peninsula near Swansea in Wales, since the 1970s it falls within the boundaries of Swansea. It is in an area designated an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The village has a community council and is part of the Gower parliamentary constituency, and the Gower electoral ward.

Rhossili probably gets its name in part from the Welsh word for moorland, rhos. The second element in the name may be a reference to a St. Sulien or Sili but details are not clear. Certainly the present Norman church is dedicated to St. Mary the Virgin. Inside there is a memorial to Edgar Evans who was the first to perish on the Terra Nova Expedition on the return from the South Pole.

There was a local tradition that there had been an earlier village complete with church closer to the sea which had been abandoned after "besanding" in the fourteenth century. A storm and subsequent excavation of newly-exposed remains in the Warren (an area of sand dunes to the north of the present village) in 1980 helped to confirm the truth of this.

Despite its relatively remote position, Rhossili is a popular tourist destination: the views from the headland and the Down are panoramic; several pleasant walks begin, end, or pass through the village; Iron Age remains are found on Rhossili Down; and the long beach attracts surfers, particularly at the Llangennith (northern) end.

Rhossili Bay curves along an arc running northwards from the village. The sandy beach is three miles long. Behind the beach just north of the village is Rhossili Down with the highest point on the Gower Peninsula (the Beacon) and a number of prehistoric remains. It is between Rhossili Down and the beach proper that the Warren is found.

At the southern end of the Bay is the outcrop of rock called the Worm's Head. At the north is Burry Holms. These islands are accessible at low tide only. Also at low tide, it is possible to see the remains of several wrecks, wood from the wreck of the Helvetia being the most prominent when looking north from Rhossili.


Worms Head


 Hotels in Rhossili:
 Worms Head Hotel
       Rhossili
       Swansea
       West Glamorgan
       SA3 1PP
 01792 390512


 Youth Hostels in Rhossili: Rhossili Bunkhouse


St Marys Church, Rhossilli


 Campsites/Caravan Parks in Rhossili:
 Pitton Cross Caravan & Camping Park
       Rhossili
       Swansea
       West Glamorgan
       SA3 1PH
 01792 390593
 http://www.pittoncross.co.uk/


Bar Helvetica, Rhossilli


 Riding in Rhossili:
 Pilton Moor Trekking Centre
       Pitton Cross
       Rhossili
       Swansea
       West Glamorgan
       SA3 1PH
 01792 386303


Helvetia, Rhossili. Photograph © Geraint Davies


Rhôsilly, or Rosilly (Rhôssulwy) - From 'A Topographical Dictionary of Wales' (1849)
RHÔSILLY, or ROSILLY (RHÔSSULWY), a parish, in the union and hundred of Swansea, county of Glamorgan, South Wales, 16½ miles (W. S. W.) from Swansea; containing 339 inhabitants. The parish derives its appellation from Reginald Sili or Sulwy, to whom the lordship was given, on the division of the conquered territory of Glamorgan, by Fitz-Hamon. It is situated on a bay to which it gives name in the Bristol Channel. The bay is inclosed on the south by Worms Head, a rugged promontory forming the western extremity of the county of Glamorgan, and stretching two miles into the sea; and on the north by the promontory opposite to which is Holme's Island: on the east side it is backed by the lofty and beautiful range of hills called Rhôsilly Downs. The anchorage almost throughout this bay is very dangerous in rough weather, from the eddies and currents that set in here: that part, however, just below the village, affords good shelter and holding ground, with any but a north-west wind. During the night of the 18th November, 1840, the "City of Bristol" steampacket was lost in Rhôsilly bay. The limestone rocks that line the shore exhibit some very curious caverns, in which are fine specimens of stalactite, and where large quantities of bones of various animals have been discovered; the sands extend for three miles to the north-west of the church, and are firm and smooth. The parish comprises an extensive tract of land, of which about three-fourths are inclosed and cultivated, and the remainder consists of fine open downs affording excellent pasturage, and other common and waste. About fifty men are employed in quarrying limestone, of which great quantities are shipped from the bay to different parts of the principality. The surrounding scenery is diversified, and the views over the bay and the adjacent country abound with objects of interest: Worms Head is one of the grandest features of the Bristol Channel, and the terror of seamen in stormy weather. The living is a rectory, rated in the king's books at £9. 6. 8., and in the patronage of the Lord Chancellor; present net income, £104. The church, dedicated to St. Mary, is an ancient structure, situated near the shore, but is not remarkable for its architectural details. There is a place of worship for Wesleyan Methodists. A day school is held in connexion with the Established Church; and two Sunday schools are supported, one of them conducted on Church principles, the other connected with the Wesleyans.



 

[Home] [Artists] [Arts & Crafts] [Buildings] [Entertainers] [Events] [Famous Welsh] [Food & Drink] [Journalists] [Musicians] [Places] [Politicians] [Products] [Songs] [Sport] [Symbols] [Writers] [Welsh Info] [Welsh Produce] [About Us] [Vox Pop] [Our Sponsors] [Contact Us] [Facebook Fans] [Welsh News] [Welsh Shop]

All copyrights acknowledged with thanks to Wikipedia. Another site by 3Cat Design 2006-2010
Whilst we try to give accurate information, we accept no liability for loss or incorrect information listed on this site or from material embedded
on this site from external sources such as YouTube.
If you do spot a mistake, please let us know. Email: Info@welshicons.org.uk

This Space
could be YOURS
From Just £10
a Month

Click Here to
Find Out More

Help us to keep
this Site up and running

 


Welsh News


Join us on Facebook


Follow us on Twitter

 

 

Key

Bold Red
Internal Link
Red
External Link

                 Admission Charges
                 Address
                 Arts/Galleries
                 Buses
                 B&B’s/Guest Houses
                 Campsites/Caravans
                 Castles
                 Credit Cards
                 Cricket
                 Disabled Facilities
                 Email
                 Farmers Markets
                 Fax
                 Film
                 Food
                 Football
                 Parks/Gardens
                 Golf
                 Historic Houses
                 Hotels
                 Libraries
                 Museums
                 Opening Hours
                 Places of Worship
                 Pubs/Bars
                 Rugby
                 Shops/Gifts
                 Taxis:
                 Telephone No.
                 Theatres
                 Tourist Information
                 Trains
                 Vets
                 Web Address
                 Welsh Produce
                 Youth Hostels
                 llustration(s) or photograph(s) viewable Illustration(s) or photograph(s)

 

Please help us to keep this site
running as a free resource