The 2026 Gower Walking Festival includes two wonderful walks lead by representatives of the National Trust.
We caught up with Welcome Manager Jack Rosser and ranger Alice Fry to ask them about their backgrounds and their work on Gower.
JACK ROSSER
What’s your connection to Gower?
“My father’s side of the family have been living in Rhossili for many generations. I grew up in Mumbles and have always loved Gower. I have spent a few years living abroad in Canada and Japan, but I am always drawn back to Gower as my favourite place in the UK.”
How & when did you come to be working for the National Trust in Gower?
“I studied Sports engineering in Loughborough university but soon after graduating, I realised that I wanted to work in the outdoors. I started working in the NT shop in Rhossili four years ago for the summer season, moving into the car park team the following summer. I was then lucky enough to be offered the role of Welcome manager on Gower, looking after the Rhossili, Pennard and Penmaen car parks.”
How important is walking to you?
“Exercise is a hugely important aspect of my life, and I believe walking is the core of a healthy lifestyle. Several different walk leader trainings courses have emphasised to me the importance of walking and a desire to help people become more active in the outdoors
“I walk to work most days, walk to go surfing whenever possible and love my weekend walks around Gower. I have also joined my father who is an avid long-distance walker on organised walks around Wales.
How long have you been leading walks for the walking festival?
“This is my second-year leading walks. I was lucky enough to start a walking programme for the NT which were then included in the Gower Walking Festival 2025 – a great opportunity to highlight the NT’s programme.
“The NT on Gower is in the second year of its walking programme, The aims are to showcase the amazing area and all the hard work that is done by the ranger team and their volunteers, help people feel more confident in the countryside and beyond and have a space for people to develop their wellbeing.”
In 2026, Jack will lead the following walk:
The Serpent Walk – Rhossili, Fall Bay & Middleton on Sunday 13th September.
ALICE FRY
What’s your connection to Gower?
“I am from Salisbury in Wiltshire, so grew up accustomed to rolling chalk hills. But I spent many a family holiday in the Pembrokeshire area. Since studying for my Natural History BSc at the University of South Wales, Gower has always had a fond place in my heart, and I knew I wished to return one day.
“I have been away building my portfolio of skills, working for various conservation organisations which has taken me across the UK and beyond; from Scotland to Ascension Island in the South Atlantic. I am delighted to have made it back to Gower.
“Recently, through my work and in my time off, I have been able to really explore the peninsula and found it nothing short of magic. The diversity of habitats in such a small area is extremely special, and I am enjoying exploring these.”
How & when you came to be working for the National Trust?
“I am a recent addition to NT, having only been in post as a Ranger since February 2026. I am based here in Gower, with the primary focus of Rhossili Bay. I carry out the land management works to improve the area for wildlife while making it accessible for the people who visit. I am supported by an incredible team of staff and volunteers, and work in conjunction various stakeholders to carry out this vital work.”
How important is walking to you?
“I am happiest when outdoors, getting out there and doing it. I take joy from observing the smaller details in the landscape. Whether that be a flower in bloom, an especially abundant lichen, bird song, or animal tracks in the mud, there’s always something interesting out there.”
“The nature of my work means I am often out walking; carrying out checks, maintenance, or surveys. But in my free time, I have thoroughly enjoyed chipping away at the Wales Coast path around the peninsula. I have completed the Mumbles to Rhossili section and now will begin to tackle the Northern stretch, bring it on!
How long have you been leading walks for the walking festival?
This will be my first one, and I am really looking forward to it!
For 2026, Alice will be leading the following walk:
To the Coastguard station – Rhossili headland on Thursday 10th September.
THE NATIONAL TRUST ON GOWER
The National Trust manages over 5,500 acres and 26 miles of coastline on the Gower Peninsula. Its primary focus is balancing landscape conservation, sustainable farming, and public access across diverse habitats including salt marshes, beaches, and ancient woodlands.
Key focus areas of their work include:
- Coastal & Habitat Conservation: Managing major nature reserves of national importance such as Cwm Ivy Salt Marsh and Whiteford Burrows to support wading birds, otters, and rare species like the marsh fritillary butterfly.
- Sustainable Agriculture: Practicing wildlife-friendly farming and preserving historical features such as the medieval strip farming at The Vile, Rhossili.
- Community & Volunteering: Hosting regular ranger-led conservation sessions (including beach cleaning, dry-stone walling, and wildlife surveying) for local volunteers and corporate groups.
- Scientific Research: Working collaboratively with various stakeholders including Natural Resources Wales and partnering with institutions such as Swansea University to carry out monitoring across the landscape, to track species and their recovery.