Burry Holmes Beach

To the immediate north of the tidal islet of Burry Holmes, Llangennith, lays a tiny bay of firm, clean sand. Not even given a name on Ordnance Survey maps, this bay is, however, a very respectable and beautiful stretch of beach and more than rewards those who make the effort to take the trek across sand and cliff from either Llangennith or Broughton to reach it. As well as its picturesque quality, the stretch of rock from here to Broughton (Spaniard Rocks) became famous in the past for the amount of Spanish gold coins found from some long forgotten shipwreck.

Burry Holmes itself derives its name from the Viking word "holmr." The islet, cut off from the mainland for five hours at high tide, marks the northern end of Rhossili Bay and has a rich and varied history. Mesolithic flints have been found here as well as a pin dating as far back as the Bronze Age. At the western end of the islet once stood a five acre fort and this site is still separated from the other 10.25 acres of land by a double rampart and wide ditch. Later, during the Middle Ages, a monastery was constructed on the landward end of the islet and remains of this building are easily identified today.