Overton Mere Beach

Just around the headland from Port Eynon, on the Gower Peninsula, is the rocky cove of Overton Mere. There is usually a band of shingle around the high tide mark, but beyond this is an expanse of flat rock, which at low tide becomes a rock pooling paradise. When the tide is in (and sea calm) this is also a great spot for snorkelling.

The area behind the beach at Overton Mere is a nature reserve and part of the South Gower Coast SSSI. Featuring limestone cliffs and grassland these provide a habitat for some quite rare flora and fauna.

The immediate area of Overton Mere has some interesting history. Over the years there have been a number of shipwrecks here. Most notable, and apparent of these is the Wittezee - a Dutch tugboat that went down in 1940. At low tide there are still some twisted metal remains visible, although the ship’s wheel now resides in the Ship Inn at Port Eynon.

Just around the corner from Overton Mere is Culver Hole. This is a particularly interesting and unusual site and consists of a cave entrance which has been sealed by an almost 60 feet high wall punctuated by various shaped windows. 

It is thought the structure was built to house pigeons or doves, whose eggs were a valuable source of food back in the 14th century. Of course over the years stories about smugglers have also been linked to the site.