About the Location of Vineyard Barns Gower
Bishopston
The village is a short 5 minute walk from Vineyard Barns Gower and there are two Post Offices and a Coop Local store, a farm shop, a Surf shop and a hairdressers all within walking distance. Also within walking distance in the village currently are 2 pubs, one of which, the Plough and Harrow, is an award-winning gastro pub, serving food and local ales. The other local pub, the Joiners Arms, has a microbrewery where the famous Bishopswood ale is brewed. The Gower Hotel, a popular wedding venue with bar and restaurant facilities (which also serves cream teas) is also located within walking distance close to the medieval church of St Teilos and the restored medieval ford. There is a service station with fuel available 24/7 on the outskirts of the village. A bus service is available at the end of the lane approximately 5 minutes’ walk from the Barns and guests can travel out to Pennard Cliffs where there are beautiful views and walks, a delicatessen and popular coffee shop. The bus is on a circular route and in the other direction guests can travel down past beautiful Clyne Gardens to the Mumbles seafront at Blackpill, an easy walk into Mumbles village or continue along the seafront to the City of Swansea. It is possible to get a bus to other Gower beaches and to Swansea City Centre from the bus stop at the top of the lane near the Barns.
Gower
Gower is designated as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and is one of the most beautiful areas in the UK and Vineyard Barns are ideally located for those who want to explore the area. In close proximity to the Barns is the footpath to the National Trust owned Bishopston Valley leading to secluded Pwlldu Bay. Many other footpaths can be explored for example to the unspoiled Brandy Cove and the Blue Flag designated Caswell Bay, which is popular for surfing - both within easy walking distance. The Surfabiity Surfing facility is located at Caswell Bay and several Surf Schools offer lessons in the area. From the Barns visitors can choose to take beautiful cliff top walks and visit the local beaches. The area is ideal for swimming, surfing, paddleboarding or just enjoying the beaches and rockpools. A host of other beaches are within an easy drive, longer walk or cycle including Langland Bay with its pretty green and white striped beach huts. Just 10 minutes’ drive from Vineyard Barns is the stunning Three Cliffs Bay where the beach can be accessed by a walk across the golf links past romantic ruined Pennard Castle. Oxwich Bay can be reached in under 15 minutes’ drive and surfing favourite Llangennith in under 30 minutes by car. The famous and intriguing Rhossilli Bay and Worms Head with spectacular views and a history of smuggling and wreckers are within 25 minutes drive away and well worth the trip. In addition to those within walking distance, most of the beaches are also accessible by bus or cycling. There are 4 golf courses within an easy drive away and Crazy Golf courses in Mumbles and Singleton park.
Mumbles
The Barns are situated within an easy 10 minute drive of the popular and bustling seaside village of Mumbles on the South Western coast of Wales. Mumbles is a pretty seaside village steeped in history and home to a Victorian pier, the Promenade with cycle path which stretches almost 7 miles around the bay from the Georgian lighthouse to Swansea Marina and the medieval Oystermouth Castle which overlooks the village. Visitors can explore the pretty boutiques, shops and galleries which line the streets. There is an array of bistros, restaurants, pubs and cafes in the village including the George, a family friendly pub and restaurant with a balcony overlooking the sea, the Mermaid, previously one of the sea-front pubs favoured by the poet Dylan Thomas, the recently opened Oyster Wharf featuring a number of restaurants and cafes all with sea views and The Pilot, an award winning microbrewery and pub, Mumbles also has a number of quality ice cream parlours including Verdi’s, Forte's, Ripples, The Lighthouse and the famous Joe's Ice Cream Parlour. There is a children's play park just off the Promenade and rides around the Bay on the quaint Mumbles land train in season.
To the west of Mumbles are the charming coves of Bracelet Bay and Limeslade with children's play park, Pizzeria and restaurant with stunning sea views of the lighthouse. From Bracelet Bay begins a scenic cliff-top walk which follows the spectacular coastline round to a number of sandy beaches including Rotherslade, Langland and Caswell Bay all with popular surf-side coffee shops. Both Langland and Caswell Bays are wonderful Blue Flag sandy beaches with rock pools and beach shops and cafes just off the sand and accessible car parking so ideal for families.
Swansea City and surrounding area
Swansea and Gower have several golf courses, tennis courts, a leisure centre (LC2) with wave machine and a number of galleries, museums, cinemas and the Grand Theatre with productions all year round. Top class acts perform at the recently opened Swansea Arena and the local City Council run a full programme of events throughout the year including live music in Singleton Park and the Swansea Air Show. Swansea is also home to the Swans Football team and the Ospreys Rugby team. Dan yr Ogof Show Caves are less than an hour's drive away as is the Brecon Beacons National Park.Further afield to the West is the Pembrokeshire Coast Path and the lovely Georgian resort of Tenby - excellent for a day trip.
