Myrtle Cottage

06/09/2026

04/09/2026

Mass grave on Gower...

Caesar was a merchant vessel which had been requisitioned for naval service. It was on a mission to press gang men into service – a legal way to force men to serve in the Army or Navy, also called Impressment. In November 1760, with a large complement of press ganged men imprisoned below decks, the Caesar left Mumbles and ran into trouble with bad weather. The sister vessel, Reeves, turned back to Mumbles, but the captain of the Caesar was sure he could secure an anchorage.

However, they struck rocks and it was wrecked in a gully now called Caesar’s Hole. More than 60 men escaped but around 80 people didn’t survive, mainly those who were below deck. Their bodies were later recovered and taken to the nearest patch of ground that could be dug. The site of the mass grave was marked with a circle of stones, still seen here today.

This is an extract from my book Gower: The Path Less Trodden. See link in comments for more information.

25/08/2026

The missing village...

Near to Pennard Castle lies the lost village of Pennard. Several villages around Gower started to have problems with sand being blown in by winds and, with no means to remove the sand, it became impossible to live there. Sand burrows were known to be in the area in the early 14th century and when church property was valued in 1535, the Vicar of Pennard said the church was overcome by drifts of sand.

All that remains visible of the church and village is the one standing wall of the church, which is on the edge of Pennard Golf Course.

This is an extract from my book Gower: The Path Less Trodden, link in comments.

11/08/2026

01/08/2026

Some ideas for walks.

01/08/2026

Useful info for anyone staying at Myrtle Cottage!

We’re delighted to have received a lovely mention in The Guardian. 📣

As The Guardian put it:

“Thanks to the National Trust, it’s also untouched by the grubby hand of commercialism, so should you be peckish, pause at the aptly named The View cafe before you descend the cliff. Offering colourful vegan ‘power bowls’ (popular with the surfing crowd apparently) and homemade falafel alongside the rarebit and bara brith, the only packaged food in sight is a bag of locally produced dog treats.”

We’re incredibly grateful to everyone who visits and supports us. We look forward to welcoming many more of you to enjoy the food, the coffee, and, of course, the spectacular views across Rhossili Bay. 💙

https://www.theguardian.com/travel/2026/jul/25/culinary-food-tour-gower-south-wales