Gower is a gorgeous peninsula in South Wales, a few miles west of the city of Swansea. It is dominated by the Gower Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) and is encircled by The Gower and Swansea Bay Coastal Path; these two highlights alone make the Gower Peninsula a superb choice for a holiday with your dog.
With captivating views across the Bristol Channel, plus footpaths and wild beaches galore, Gower is a fantastic dog-friendly destination for you and your pet to explore. Historic and natural landmarks abound, as well as an array of fun visitor attractions, meaning this area of South Wales is sure to have you coming back for more year after year. Find out why Gower is the perfect choice of holiday destination for you and your dog in our helpful guide.
Come to Gower and stay at one of our self-catering holiday cottages. We have dog-friendly holiday properties big and small to meet your requirements all across the Gower Peninsula.
What have we got to set tails wagging?
Click to fetch Gower's:
🐶 Top days out
🐾 Top walkies
🏖️ Top beaches
🍴 Top dining spots
🏡 Top places to stay
Top dog-friendly days out in Gower
Worm’s Head
Fancy taking your dog for the ultimate nature walk? Then why not head out on to the curiously named Worm’s Head? Found in Rhossili Bay, this tidal island is an absolute must for anybody who loves a rock scramble and a bout of active exploration. There’s even a section called the Devil’s Bridge which joins the Inner Head to Outer Head sections of the ‘worm’. Access to Worm’s Head is possible about 2.5 hours each side of low tide, so don’t get cut off by the sea - the currents are too strong to navigate by swimming. Be mindful that some of the sections of the ‘worm’ are very rocky and potentially sharp underfoot, so keep an eye on your pooch’s comfort levels. You may see the occasional seal relaxing on the rocks at sea level which makes a jaunt out to the end well worth the effort. Plan ahead before a visit to the awesome natural highlight of the Gower Peninsula.
Why your dog will love it: Athletic dogs will love leading the way along this beautiful chunk of pure nature.
Oystermouth Castle
Who will be king of the castle? And who will be the dirty rascal? Take your four-legged buddy along to this wonderful family-friendly and dog-friendly fortress for a great day out. Hounds are allowed to accompany you throughout the majority of the public areas of Oystermouth Castle. Your dog will love sniffing about the ramparts and ancient turrets; it’s awfully fun. Climb the tower for awesome views across Swansea Bay too. The staff are very welcoming to dogs and the facilities are more than ample.
Why your dog will love it: This could be your dog’s first visit to a castle. A fascinating building with no roof?
Arthur’s Stone
Found virtually at the centre of the Gower Peninsula, Arthur’s Stone is worth seeking out. Fans of Arthurian Legend will most definitely want to see the fabled pebble that King Arthur removed from his boot only for it grow after landing on Cefn Bryn after he flung it over the Bristol Channel (well, he is a legend)! Also, legend has it that the stone sprouts legs each New Year’s Eve to take a drink from the sea. The walk up Cefn Bryn is breathtaking, as well as the views from the summit.
Why your dog will love it: Whilst you are sharing stories about King Arthur, your dog will be looking out for rabbits!
Top walkies in Gower
The Gower and Swansea Bay Coast Path
Pick up this fantastic coastal trail that traces the edge of the Bristol Channel from the banks of the River Loughor to Kenfig Dunes near Port Talbot. At 97 miles in length, you are never all that far away from the trail when holidaying on the Gower Peninsula. Passing through an AONB, The Gower and Swansea Bay Coast Path also cuts across 10 nature reserves, 24 Wildlife Trust Reserves, 32 SSSIs (Sites of Specific Scientific Interest) and much more besides. The path also takes you and your dog past some gorgeous beaches like Port Eynon, Rhossili and Oxwich Bay. Some sections are fairly challenging, yet others offer a gentle amble.
Why your dog will love it: This varied coastal trail is a veritable wonderland of sights and scents to delight your pet.
Penllergare Valley Woods
With just under 8 miles of woodland trails to explore, Penllergare Valley Woods really is a top place to go out for a walk with your four-legged friend. You can also enjoy a lakeside stroll, a heritage trail and a riverside walk; there are trees galore here and you and your hound can make the most of the endless rural sights and scents of this beautiful Gower treasure. After you’ve stretched your legs on your nature trail, you can relax with a slice of cake and a hot cup of tea.
Why your dog will love it: Dogs love a forest as there is so much to take in, scent-wise and visually!
The Mumbles Promenade and Pier
The Mumbles Promenade is a superb choice for those of you bringing your puppies or old dogs along for a holiday treat. The level prom offers exceptional views across Swansea Bay and access to Mumbles Pier and the beach. The pier spells opportunities for snacks – does your dog like a bit of fish batter, scraps of chips, or the end of your wafer cone? Everybody deserves a little treat when they go to the seaside, especially your pooch!
Why your dog will love it: There’s ample chance to meet other dogs and to enjoy the surroundings at a manageable pace.
Top dog-friendly beaches in Gower
Rhossili Bay
It’s easy to see why Rhossili Bay Beach is often described as one of South Wales' best beaches. It’s simply stunning, with a dramatic 'wow' factor. Home to Worm’s Head, a huge sandy expanse is revealed every low tide giving you and your furry friend lots of and lots of room to play. Keep an eye out for the remains of the 1887 shipwreck of the Helvetia, and also grey seals out on the rocks around the base of Worm’s Head too. Facilities are great at this beach, with cafes, WCs and ample parking. Understandably, this beach gets very busy whenever the sun is blazing!
Why your dog will love it: Rhossili Bay Beach is massive, giving you all lots of room for a run!
Pobbles Bay
Slightly more secluded and lesser-known than Rhossili Bay is Pobbles Bay. Surrounded by sand dunes and low-level limestone cliffs, it’s a great choice for a relaxing picnic or a lounge with your dog. On clear days, you can take in fine views to the end of Oxwich Point (which you could also reach via the beach at low tide). There are no facilities at Pobbles, but it’s close enough to Southgate, where you can park your car and find refreshments in the cafes and pubs. Also, take a stroll to the dunes at Pennard Burrows close by and Three Cliffs Bay Beach if the tide is on the way out.
Why your dog will love it: Pobbles is the perfect beach for a picnic as it sheltered, which is always good news for dogs.
Fall Bay and Mewslade Beach
Just a short distance south of the thriving Rhossili is this duo of picture-perfect beaches. Low tide is the best time to head here as the sea comes in a long way along this section of the Gower coastline. Backed by low limestone cliffs, to the east of Tears Point is Fall Bay and can be accessed via a rocky pathway from the coast path. Mewslade offers superb views out into the Bristol Channel from the east side of Thurba Head. There are rock pools for kids and dogs to investigate and lots of sand to play on. Both beaches are popular with experienced surfers who are trying to avoid the crowds. Neither beach has facilities but Rhossili, nearby, does.
Other dog-friendly beaches on the Gower Peninsula include: Rotherslade, Caswell Bay, and Tor Bay
Top dog-friendly dining spots in Gower
Pontardawe Inn - Pontardawe
This dog-friendly pub is a good pick if you are looking for good, unfussy food. The Pontardawe Inn's mission statement is to deliver honest quality food and beer for those looking for a good feed. Set in the Gower village of Pontardawe, there’s a lovely garden to enjoy a pint with the dog if the sun is out. Your furry pal is also welcome to join you in the bar.
The Ship Inn – Port Eynon
For a good beer by the sea, the aptly named Ship Inn is a good choice. This cosy old nautical-style pub welcomes dogs inside and in the garden. So, if you’ve been enjoying a day of touring, the Ship is a friendly place to venture out to for satisfying refreshments in a very pretty spot.
The Gower Inn, Parkmill
This stone pub, The Gower Inn, is a lovely place for lunch or an evening meal with a pint. Pooches are welcome too in the bar, they can keep warm or get cool in the shade as you unwind to eat. The menu is interesting, the choice of dishes bolstered with specials and firm family favourites made with locally sourced ingredients. Just remember to save a scrap for your patient doggy!
Top dog-friendly places to stay in Gower
The Willows Barn Gower | Sleeps: 2 dogs and 2 humans
A superb choice for beach-loving dog owners, this spacious barn conversion is set in a great location on the Gower Peninsula. Close to the Gower and Swansea Bay Coast Path, there are lots of walks for you and your pet to choose from. Visit Three Cliff, Oxwich and Caswell Bay with ease and, in the evening, sink into your comfortable beds to recuperate from the all the marvellous walks on offer.
Rock House | Sleeps: 1 dog and 5 humans
A cool retreat for dog-walkers, this sweet home-from-home in Bishopston is a great choice for those that are looking forward to exploring The Mumbles and the local area which is rich in castles and Welsh history. The coastline is dramatic and gorgeous too. With three bedrooms sleeping five guests plus one dog, this is a relaxing prospect for those planning a dog-friendly getaway to the Gower Peninsula.
Explore our collection of dog-friendly places to visit and things to do on the Gower Peninsula. Visit our range of dog-friendly holiday cottages where you and your pet will find features that are bound to make a holiday in Gower utterly memorable. For more inspiration, visit our dog-friendly guide to South Wales. Choose your perfect self-catering dog-friendly holiday cottage from our collection - book your ideal holiday home without delay.
Disclaimer: Whilst every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information at the time of writing,
please ensure you check carefully before making any decisions based on the contents within this article.