Ty Sawna - Woodfired Barrel Sauna on Oxwich Beach
Located at Oxwich Bay the bespoke Barrel Sauna sits upto 8 people and is fired by a Harvia wood burning stove looking out a panoramic window over the ocean. Perfect to warm up and recharge for wild water swimmers and sports persons to well-being enthusiasts. Relax, socialise and reap the health benefits of a sauna. For more details and to book, visit their website at www.tysawna.co.uk

The Beach House Restaurant
The Coalhouse Restaurant which had been previously managed by the Estate has been under new management the last few years and is now re-named The Beach House Restaurant. They have won a number of awards including Swansea Bay Best Restaurant 2017, AA Restaurant of the Year in Wales 2018/2019, 3AA Rosettes and a Michelin Star. For more information go to beachhouseoxwich.co.uk

The Beach Shop
The Estate run two beach shops on Oxwich Beach Car Park selling a range of hot & cold food and drinks. The big beach shop(next to the watersports) has recently been extended and now has a large pizza oven as well as an indoor seating area.

Historic Houses Video
Penrice has been included in a Historic Houses Association video on their website and on "You Tube" entitled "Britains most special places" if you would like to take a look please click on the link below.
HHA - video

Guardian Newspaper Recommends Penrice
We were pleased to be recommended in an article in the Guardian Newspaper travel section "20 Houses to rent for Christmas & New Year" Their article quote was as follows:-

Boxes of chocolates don’t have cottages on them these days, but if they did, this two-bedroom former clockmaker’s house would be a contender. The oldest cottage on Penrice Castle estate, it’s snug rather than showy, with pretty kitchen tiles, Welsh tapestry blankets and a downstairs bathroom. An open fire in the dining hall makes for an atmospheric Christmas dinner.

For the full article, please follow the link 20 Houses to rent for Christmas & New Year

Places of Interest in Gower & the Surrounding Area

If you have never visited Gower before you will be surprised at how many castles we have in such a small area. Obviously we have our own Norman Castle ruins here at Penrice and then there is Oxwich Castle which is open to the public and Weobley Castle, a 15th century fortified manor house over on the North side of Gower near Llanrhidian overlooking the salt marshes and Loughor.
Pennard Castle's situation is dramatic and beautiful. It is perched on the edge of the valley of the Pennard Pill, with a sheer drop below to the north and west. From it there is a sweeping view out towards Three Cliffs Bay, and across the valley to Penmaen Burrows. It was a perfect position for a castle, except for one thing which cannot have been foreseen when it was built: it was vulnerable to sand blow. By the end of the 14th century sand encroachment had led to its abandonment.
Or why not visit Oystermouth Castle in Mumbles standing on a small hill with a magnificent view over Swansea Bay in the resort town of Mumbles,the earliest stone building of the castle, the keep, dates from the 12th century. All are open to the public except Penrice which is only open to Penrice Castle Cottage visitors.
Further afield is Kidwelly Castle which is west of Llanelli and well worth a visit. Kidwelly is a mighty and imposing monument of Norman power. It is also a beautiful example of castle development, as the castle was dramatically altered on a number of occasions to conform to the latest thinking in military science.

King Arthur's Stone Maen Ceti, Cefn Bryn
King Arthur's Stone is a Neolithic burial tomb dating back to 2500 B.C. and was one of the first sites to be protected under the Ancient Monuments Act of 1882.
How to find Arthur's Stone

Arthur's Stone lies close to the road from Cilibion to Reynoldston that crosses Cefn Bryn. Near to the village of Reynoldston, an unmarked car park marks the well trodden footpath that leads to the Neolithic monument. Suitable footwear is recommended as the footpath is often muddy and the surrounding common is often waterlogged and boggy. There is a panoramic view of Gower from this point and it is well worth stopping off just for the view- on a good day you can even see Devon.

Days Out

Rip 'n' Rock Outdoor Activities
RIPNROCK are an award winning, top rated, adventure activity provider. They offer high quality activity days & packages across Swansea & South Wales, from the picture perfect beaches of the Gower peninsular to the wild & watery beauty of the Neath Valley.
With a wide variety of adventurous activities to choose from you’ll be spoiled for choice. Booking is highly recommended, for more information visit their website at ripnrock.co.uk

Wetlands Centre
For a good day out for children of all ages we recommend the Wetlands Centre in Loughor on the way to Llanelli. Set in a 450 acre of lakes, pool and lagoons created on the scenic Burry Inlet, Llanelli Wetland Centre is home to many hundreds of wild and resident species. Explore the site by bicycle or, in the warmer months, take a jungle explorer-style tour by canoe. Water vole city and the Millennium discovery centre are also unmissable attractions. For more information go to wwt.org.uk

National Waterfront Museum
The National Waterfront Museum in Swansea tells the human story of Welsh industry and innovation now and over the past 300 years.
Prepare to explore 100 audio visual exhibits including 36 state of the art interactive displays and some large historic objects from across the country including a replica of the world’s first steam locomotive, a brick press and one of the very few surviving coal wagons.
Visit museum.wales/swansea/

The National Showcaves Cenre for Wales
There are 10 attractions all included in one entry ticket, with plenty to see and do for all ages. The 3 different caves Dan-yr-Ogof, Cathedral Cave and Bone Cave each offer a unique underground experience.

On site is also one of the world’s largest collections of life-sized dinosaur models, ranging from the ever popular Tyrannosaurus Rex and Brachiosaurs, to the lesser-known Tsintaosaurus. There are over 200 models to see.

The Shire Horse Centre offers the excitement of the 2 covered children’s play areas, the farm yard area, and the gentle giant shires. There is also the Iron Age village, museum, and stone circles, and Coffee shop, and the Rock and Dinosaur shop to enjoy. Visit showcaves.co.uk

Museum of Welsh Life
Another really good day out is at the St Fagan Museum of Welsh Life just outside Cardiff. Its free entry for everybody but make sure you allow yourself the whole day as there is so much to see and do there for children and adults of all ages.Set in a mixture of beautiful open grounds and ancient woodland, the Museum has re-erected over 40 buildings that include Iron Age roundhouses, farms and a school-room to show you how Welsh families have lived, worked and played through the ages. Meet friendly craftspeople such as the Clogmaker and Blacksmith and have a go at throwing a pot on the wheel of St Fagans Pottery. For more information click here.
Free entry

Mountain Biking at Afan Forest
Twisty, rooty, rocky and in places wildly exposed, the singletrack in Afan Forest Park is the enthusiasts dream.

The trails here have been carved out of hillsides once surrounded by coal mining, but now the valley has been transformed into a bikers heaven.

Afan Forest Park is home to 6 world class trails including, the ‘Penhydd’, ‘Y Wâl’, ‘White’s Level’ and 'W²', boasting over 100 km of singletrack trails. There's also the Afan Bike Park (launched in 2013) allowing riders to improve their riding skill and have hours of winding, swerving fun with berms and jumps.

Trails start from either the Afan Forest Park Visitor Centre or Glyncorrwg Visitor Centre, both great locations to set off from. Afan Bike Park is based next to Bryn Bettws Lodge. Visit afanforestpark.co.uk

Gower Family Outings

Perriswood Archery Centre - 5mins away
Just a stone’s throw away from the Estate, this is an ideal place to take children of all ages. Try the archery or enjoy the bird of prey displays and have the opportunity to meet and hold the birds. They also have a small petting area and rifle shooting. If you would like to experience archery and falconry then ‘Arrows, Talons and Tea’ is the perfect package for you. An introduction to archery is followed by a drink and cake before you take part in a bird display.
For more information go to perriswood.com

Gower Coast Adventures
For a fantastic family experience book a boat trip from Oxwich Beach with Gower Coast Adventures around part of the Gower Peninsula - you might even spot a pod of dolphins if you're lucky as well as seals, gannets, choughs and other wildlife. Suitable for all ages.
Visit their website at gowercoastadventures.co.uk

A Visit to Mumbles
The pretty seaside village of Mumbles is an ideal place to visit to do a bit of shopping. If you are looking for local produce, you can find butchers, fishmongers and green grocers. But if you are looking for that designer dress or something from one of the galleries, you should have plenty to choose from in one of the many boutique shops scattered along Newton Road. When you need to take a break then why not visit one of the little coffee shops or better still have an ice cream at Verdi's or Joes Ice Cream Parlour.
Then walk off the calories along the front down to Mumbles Pier at the end. For a bit of culture then why not wander up to Oystermouth Castle and take in the fantastic view. Or take a stroll along the promenade which runs from Nab Rock back to Swansea. There is always plenty to see and do any time of year.

All Weather Days Out

Plantasia Swansea
Go on an amazing adventure through a tropical rainforest.
Get up close & personal with the animals and discover a variety of rare and exotic plants.
There are around 40 different species of animal in Plantasia with over 10% of those having some conservation concern. The most notable of these being the Egyptian Tortoise (Testudo kleinmanni). Plantasia participates in the EEP (European Endangered Species Programme) for Egyptian tortoise and collaborates with a variety of other zoological institutions for the protection and conservation of the species. Plantasia also breed a number of vulnerable and endangered species which include reptiles (Crested gecko), amphibians (Axolotl) and fish (Denisons barb).
visit plantasiaswansea.co.uk

Cinemas
There are two cinemas Vue and Odeon in Swansea. Visit www.vue.cinema or odeon.co.uk to see what's screening.

Bowling
There are two ten pin bowling venues in Swansea Superbowl and Tenpin click on the links to see their times and prices. They also have arcades, softplay and pool tables available.

Gower Heritage Centre, Parkmill
Set in the heart of the Gower Peninsula, the Centre is a visitor attraction and rural life museum based around a working 12th century water-mill. Suitable for younger children just 5 mins away by car.
Visit gowerheritagecentre.co.uk

Cafe Play Mumbles
Cafe Play is a soft play area and fully licensed cafe in the heart of Mumbles. They offer great party packages, including exclusive hire- suitable for young children.
Visit cafeplaymumbles.co.uk

Swansea Community Copper Jack Boat
The Swansea Community Boat offers a truly unique opportunity for both visitors to Swansea and locals alike to take a trip up the historic River Tawe.
Visit Swanseaboattrust.co.uk

Swansea Indoor Market
Swansea Market is the largest indoor market in Wales, an award winning, historic market that offers both tourists and residents a unique shopping experience.
Visit swanseaindoormarket.co.uk

Gower Phone App for Walkers
If you enjoy walking and exploring the countryside and have a smartphone then why not download the latest app "This is Gower" The app contains 15 guided walking trails which use GPS smartphone technology to track a walkers course and triggers audio clipps and images at key moments. It can be downloaded free from either iTunes or Google Play android app store.

For up to date information on what's going on in the area go to visitswanseabay.com/events