Starting from Broughton car park, this fascinating coastal walk explores the remarkable archaeology and history of Burry Holms, the tidal island at the northern end of Rhossili Bay. Reached by crossing the sands around 2.5 hours after high tide, the island reveals evidence of human activity stretching back thousands of years.
Archaeological discoveries show that Mesolithic hunter-gatherers once camped here, taking advantage of the rich coastal environment long before farming arrived in Britain. Later, the island became the site of an Iron Age promontory fort, with defensive earthworks and stone walls still visible in places today.
In the early medieval period, Burry Holms also became a place of Christian retreat and worship, with evidence of a small monastic hermitage linked to Celtic Christianity.
Combined with sweeping views across Rhossili Bay and the Loughor Estuary, the walk offers a rare opportunity to experience archaeology, history, and dramatic coastal scenery together in one unforgettable landscape.
Packed lunch required.
No toilets.
This walk is not suitable for children.
This walk is not suitable for dogs.
Terrain will be mixed and typical of coastal and rural rights of way, including sand dunes.
Parking will be in the car park entering Broughton Bay Holiday Park.
Walk leader Dr Edith Evans is a Welsh archaeologist and had a distinguished career as a heritage educator with the Glamorgan-Gwent Archaeological Trust. She specialises in Roman, prehistoric and medieval sites across South Wales, including Gower, and promotes public engagement through excavations, talks, walks and community archaeology projects.