- Introduction
Welcome to the 2022 Gower Pilgrimage Festival! This includes guided walks along the Gower Pilgrimage Way, with the churches open along the route and related afternoon or evening events at each day’s destination.
In addition to the details of the programme, you will find here essential information if you are intending to join us on the walks. This covers preparation, suitable clothing, personal safety, refreshments and transport. Please do not bring dogs on the Festival walks.
For each of the walks, maps and detailed directions are available HERE . The Ordnance Survey Explorer map 164 contains full details of footpaths and bridleways in Gower.
There is no charge to take part in any of the walks or other events.
Please note that we cannot take responsibility for your safety when you walk or cycle the Pilgrimage Way, or for the accuracy of information provided regarding the routes.
- Daily Schedule
Sunday 11 September: Llanernewydd to Llanrhidian
Car parking: There is currently no Sunday bus service in Gower, outside of the summer school holidays. There is limited parking at St Gwynour’s Church, Llanyrnewydd, but ample car parking at Penclawdd seafront, around 10 minutes’ walk away. Parking is also available at the Cilibion Park Farm campsite, Llanrhidian, SA3 1ED, by courtesy of the Dunn family.
| Location | Start Time | Finish Time | Comments |
| Meet at Llanyrnewydd Church (Postcode SA4 3JH) | 10:45 latest | 11:00 | View church (from 10.00), pilgrimage blessing |
| Walk to Wernffrwd Church | 11:00 | 12:15 | |
| Wernffrwd Church | 12:15 | 13:00 | View church, refreshments and toilets available |
| Walk to Llanrhidian Church | 13:00 | 14:00 | Refreshments and toilets available at The Welcome Inn |
| Llanrhidian Church | 14:30 | 15:30 | Celtic Christian Meditation, led by Father Tim Ardouin |
Monday 12 September: Llanrhidian to Llangennith
Car parking: Parking is available at the Cilibion Park Farm campsite, Llanrhidian, SA3 1ED, by courtesy of the Dunn family. Very limited parking in Llangennith, but off-road parking on hill above village.
| Location | Start Time | Finish Time | Comments |
| Meet at Llanrhidian Church (Postcode SA3 1ER) | 09:45 latest | 10:00 | View church (from 9.30) |
| Walk to Cheriton Church | 10:00 | 12:00 | |
| Cheriton Church | 12:00 | 12:15 | View church |
| Walk to Llanmadoc Church | 12:15 | 13:15 | Includes stop at Llanmadoc Community Shop for hot drinks, packed lunch and toilet facilities |
| Llanmadoc Church | 13:15 | 13:30 | View church |
| Walk to Llangennith Church | 13:30 | 17:00 | Refreshments and toilets available at The King’s Head. |
| Llangennith Church | 17:30 | 18:30 | Compline with Brother Titus from Caldey Abbey |
Tuesday 13 September: Llangennith to Port Eynon
Car parking: Very limited parking in Llangennith, but off-road parking on hill above village. Large beach car park at Port Eynon
| Location | Start Time | Finish Time | Comments |
| Meet at Llangennith Church (Postcode SA3 1HX) | 09:45 latest | 10:00 | View church (from 9.30) |
| Walk to Rhossili Church | 10:00 | 11:30 | |
| Rhossili Church | 11:30 | 12:30 | View church; packed lunch, toilets at National Trust car park |
| Walk to Llanddewi Church | 12:30 | 14:00 | |
| Llanddewi Church | 14:00 | 14:30 | View church and lunch (no toilet facilites) |
| Walk to Port Eynon Church | 14:30 | 16:30 | Refreshments and toilets available at Port Eynon |
| Port Eynon Church | 17:30 | 18:30 | ‘The Life of St Cattwg’ and music at Port Eynon Church |
Wednesday 14 September:
REST DAY
Thursday 15 September: Port Eynon to Penmaen
Car parking: large beach car park at Port Eynon, parking on the common at Penmaen
| Location | Start Time | Finish Time | Comments |
| Meet at Port Eynon Church (Postcode SA3 1NN) | 09:15 (latest) | 09:30 | View church (from 9.30), public toilets at Port Eynon and Horton |
| Walk to Oxwich Church | 09:30 | 11:00 | |
| Oxwich Church | 11:00 | 11:30 | View church, public toilets at Oxwich |
| Walk to Penrice Church | 11:30 | 12:15 | |
| Penrice Church | 12:15 | 12:45 | View church and picnic lunch |
| Walk to Reynoldston Church | 12:45 | 13:45 | |
| Reynoldston Church | 13:45 | 14:15 | View church, use of toilets in Village Hall |
| Walk to Nicholaston Church | 14:15 | 15:45 | |
| Nicholaston Church | 15:45 | 16:15 | View church |
| Walk to Penmaen Church | 16:15 | 17:15 | Including stop for coffee and toilets at Coffee by the Bryn, Nicholaston House |
| Penmaen Church | 17:30 | 18:30 | Pilgrimage talk by Rev Sam Aldred |
Friday 16 September: Penmaen to Bishopston
Car parking: parking on the common at Penmaen, parking area outside lower entrance to churchyard at Bishopston
| Location | Start Time | Finish Time | Comments |
| Penmaen Church (Postcode SA3 2HQ) | 09:45 latest | 10:00 | View church (from 9.30) |
| Walk to Ilston Church | 10:00 | 11:30 | |
| Ilston Church | 11:30 | 11:45 | View church |
| Walk to Pennard Church | 11:45 | 14:30 | Including stop for drinks and toilets at the Gower Inn and packed lunch at Southgate playing fields |
| Pennard Church | 14:30 | 15:00 | View church, use of toilets in Hall |
| Walk to Bishopston Church | 15:00 | 17:00 | Refreshments and toilet at church |
| Bishopston Church | 17:30 | 18:30 | Cymanfa Ganu (hymn singing in English and Welsh) |
- Essential information for walkers
- Start and finish times
You must arrive at least 15 minutes before the start of the walk to allow for registration and a short safety talk, and to allow the walk to start on time. All of the times on the schedule are provisional and will depend on the speed of walking.
- Changes and cancellation
Whilst every attempt will be made to keep to the dates and times documented in the daily schedule, the organisers reserve the right to change or cancel the walks in the event of circumstances beyond their control, e.g. bad weather or illness.
- Clothing and footwear
Walkers must wear suitable footwear and clothing and be prepared for unpredictable weather. Paths can be muddy even in summer, and a waterproof coat provides protection against both rain and wind. An inadequately dressed person could affect the safety and enjoyment of the whole group. We also recommend that you bring sun protection, as the weather conditions can change very quickly.
- Dogs
As each day’s walks involve crossing fields where cattle may be present, and the walks include visiting churches along the route, please do not bring dogs.
- Young walkers
Young walkers are welcome, but if aged 16 or younger, they must be accompanied by an adult.
- Transport
All of the walks are linear, and therefore require transport back to the starting point or arranging accommodation along the route.
Walkers are encouraged to use local bus services. However, Gower is a rural area, and the frequency of such services may not be convenient. For up-to-date information on relevant bus routes, visit traveline.cymru or swanseabaywithoutacar .
Most of the Gower routes are operated by New Adventure Travel. Route 14 for Bishopston and Pennard is jointly operated by New Adventure Travel and First Cymru.
As an alternative, the following are some of the local taxi services:
Mike’s taxi’s local Gower taxi service
Oyster Cabs
Port-Eynon taxis
Killay Cabs.
If arriving by car, please show consideration for local residents and businesses and park sensibly. A two car solution is another possibility, parking one car at each end of the walk.
- Toilets
On some of the walks, public toilets are few and far between, and so arrangements have been made with pubs and cafes along the route for walkers to purchase drinks and use the toilet facilities. Please show courtesy, do not enter the premises with muddy boots and give your custom to these establishments who have kindly offered their support. Please also note that, on some parts of the walks, there will still be an interval of up to 4 hours between toilet facilities.
- Refreshment
Please bring a packed lunch and a drink (preferably water).
- Sustainability and the environment
The Gower Pilgrimage Way is a supporter of the ‘One Planet’ sustainability initiative. Walkers are urged to make use of reusable water bottles and coffee mugs, reuse and recycle printed matter and use public transport whenever possible.
- Accommodation
The following are approved websites offering a range of accredited accommodation:
- Contact details
You are encouraged to provide an emergency contact phone number at registration, in case of accident or illness. Please inform the walk leader if you have a pre-existing medical condition of which he/she should be aware and for which you are carrying medication e.g. diabetes.
Gower Ministry Area 