Walking in Gower > Three Cliffs Bay and Penmaen Burrows Walk
Description: A great walk to take in the beach views, and lots of ancient historic sites along the way, take a picnic to eat on the
headland overlooking Tor Bay.
For those of you not staying with us you are welcome to use this walk but as there are no rights of way through the grounds, please see the note and the diversion map on the walks page to help you circumnavigate.
Distance covered: 4 miles Average time: 3 hours Terrain:
Easy under foot, but a couple of good climbs.
From the end of the house follow the Church path out past the trout ponds, across the fields and through the woods. When you reach the green gate the track will bare left taking you past a small white cottage close to the road. When you reach the tarmac lane turn left over the cattle grid past Penmaen Church
Now cross the main road and continue for 200 yds down the lane, take the first and only right turn. Follow the road until you find yourself at the lookout overlooking Three Cliffs Bay.
On your right when you get to the look out area there is a steep path taking you down along side the old post war chalets. When you reach the bottom cross the stream and take the sandy path back up to the headland, this is known as Penmaen Burrows.
At the top turn left and follow the path around the head…
History of Penmaen Burrows 
After a little way you will find the earth banks what was a Norman timber castle comprising a ringwork typical of the 12th-century March, excavation in 1960 has revealed a drystone-walled hall with curved ends and evidence for a timber tower which at some time was burned down. There are other traces nearby of the Norman settlers such as that of a large artificial rabbit warren. Known as the Pillow Mound, built when rabbits were first introduced to Britain by Norman Invaders. The warrens provided the villagers with an important source of food. And if you follow the paths into to centre of the headland you will happen across s the Megalithic Tomb known as Pen-y-Crug, is a large communal tomb of what is believed to be the first community to settle on the peninsula some 5,500 years ago.
And to delve back even deeper in time high in the great spur of rock that forms Tor head are a small series of chambered passages that lead deep into the cliff. Known as Leather's Hole, the bones of both Mammoth and Rhinoceros have been discovered here. Given that this cave is believed to have never possessed easy access, these bones must have been carried into this cave by scavenging wolves and hyenas.
The path skirts around the headland affording beautiful views of Tor Bay, Crawley Woods and Oxwich Bay in the distance, on the opposite headland you will also notice a Lime kiln used to make lime for export to Somerset and Devon.
Once you have walked as around the headland you may wish to drop down the path to the sand of Tor bay, if not you can head back inland (North) towards Cefn Bryn, when you have a choice bear left through a foot gate and follow the sunken lane all the way back up to the main road. Turn right up the road and take the first turning left (50yds)
Cross the cattle grid and follow the tarmac track, it will take you back to the cattle grid at the other end of the village, which you should recognise, turn left and follow the path back to the house.
Map
