YHA Port Eynon is a youth hostel that could not be closer to the sea. On Wales’ beautiful Gower coastline, it’s a converted life boat station with the slipway to the water still intact. The only way you can get nearer the water is if you take the plunge and jump right in. The hostel looks out onto the rockier part of the beach, perfect for rockpooling, and the 7 children we’d taken between us were all straight out finding crabs, jellyfish and shrimps. The vast sandy expanse of the Gower stretches beyond the rocky shoreline up the sand dunes to the new lifeboat station at the other end of the bay. On the other side of the hostel lies an old ruined salt works and a short stroll up the hill affords 360 degree views of this part of the beautiful peninsular. If it’s sand and sea you’re looking for, Port Eynon YHA is perfect.
The hostel has 28 beds in 8 rooms, a combination of dorm beds and family rooms. As 4 families we occupied 3 family rooms, some of which were en suite, and 2 x 2 bed rooms. Downstairs is a cosy lounge/diner area with spectacular sea views and a good sized kitchen for self catering. This YHA does not offer a restaurant service and neither is it licensed but you can bring your own alcoholic drinks if you fancy a sundowner tipple. Picnic tables outside were the perfect location for the first coffee of the day watching the tide ebb. This hostel is absolutely immaculately clean and well maintained. In the lounge you can read about the history of the lifeboat station and the brave rescues carried out from this very slipway. If you’ve a large group you can hire the hostel for exclusive use and this would be a great way to get together with friends and family.
One thing to note is that you cannot park at the actual hostel. You have to park in a lane nearby and carry your kit for the night across a field. If you arrive late like we did, you’ll be needing a torch and wishing you’d packed a bit lighter!
You can hire wetsuits and bodyboards for a small charge and they have sizes to suit children and adults. We borrowed some suits and boards and the kids hit the sea. No big surf here, small waves that kept the children and the hardier of us adults occupied for hours. Digging holes, jumping in the dunes, playing rounders. The huge sandy beach here is perfect. We stayed at the hostel the weekend of the Gower Triathlon and so were kept entertained by sea swimming and runners throughout the day. Many triathlon participants also stayed right at the scene at the hostel.
Port Eynon itself has parking, a couple of fish and chip shops and pubs and a couple of shops. We stayed for 2 days and didn’t leave the beach. The early September sun was welcome and perfect for a family break away but equally dramatic waves lashing the shore as you watch from the huge picture windows of the hostel would be quite a view. This would be a great place to hole up for Christmas with breezy walks and cosy meals.
5 THINGS TO DO NEAR PORT EYNON
If you can drag yourself away from Port Eynon’s beach:
Rhossilli Bay Beach is one of Tripadvisor’s Top 10 Beaches in the UK and well worthy of the accolade. Walk out to Worm’s Head for stunning views of the 3 miles of sand. It’s a 7 mile walk from Port Eynon along the knock-out coastline.
Photo: Andrew Bennett
Three Cliffs Bay – more fabulous Welsh beach and coastline. Three limestone cliffs guard the entrance to this huge beach, part of the Gower coastal path. Camping at Three Cliffs is my earliest holiday memory and you can read more about that here at What Ali Sees blog.
Mumbles – on a rainy day, the traditional seaside pursuits of amusement arcade, fish and chips and the famous Joe’s Ice Cream may appeal! I grew up seeing Mumbles Pier and lighthouse from my house so it’s a welcome view for me.
Swansea has a whole host of things to do if it rains, the Waterfront Centre, Dylan Thomas Centre and Swansea Museum are all under cover as well as the leisure centre. Plentiful parks and yet more beaches are popular in good weather.
Caswell Beach is another childhood favourite of mine and I remember hours spent building sandcastles here. Now it’s popular with surfers as well as families.
For sunshine, surfing, the fabulous Gower coastline and a beachside trip that doesn’t break the bank, YHA Port Eynon is perfect.
Where Jo Goes Wales Reviews:
Swansea Parks and Beaches/Danywenallt YHA
Where Jo Goes Youth Hostel Reviews:
St Briavels Haunted Castle/Brighton/Wilderhope Manor/Danywenallt -Castles and Countryside of Wales/ Wye Valley
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This looks like a great place to stay, right up our street. Maybe one for next summer, so thanks for the information #MondayEscapes
What a cool place to stay! I visited the Gower once a good few years ago and thought it was so beautiful. I’d really love to go back… #MondayEscapes
What a great place to stay for making the most of the Gower’s beautiful coastline. Escapes in September are such a good plan for getting over the autumn blues! Thanks for sharing all the Welsh sunshine with #MondayEscapes!
We were in Port Eynon just a couple of weekends ago. We were there walking the Gower Coastal Path. Its a beautiful spot #MondayEscapes
I had no idea about this former lifeboat station. This really fascinates me as I used to work for the RNLI. We visited the Gower for the first time in June and absolutely fell in love with the beaches and seaside towns. It is so ridiculously pretty! Thanks for reminding me that I really do need to return to Mumbles. Thanks for linking to #MondayEscapes
beautiful beaches #farawayfiles
I really want to visit the Gower with my kids and this place looks perfect! I have pinned it so I don’t forget. #farawayfiles
The Gower looks soooo beautiful!!! Friends of mine have been going for years and alway rave about it. I really need to explore more of Wales as it’s so close to home! Love this post! #farawayfiles
What a fabulous location for a youth hostel! This is a real find, I think. I am just desperate to go to the Gower one day so I’ll be saving this for when we do. #FarawayFiles
I just love the beach… we live just blocks from the ocean, but that never stops me from wanting to visit other amazing beaches! I hope to make my way to some of the UKs beaches during our next summer visit. #farawayfiles
That is 100% my kind of beach. One day I will visit this part of the Welsh coastline, walk those sandy beaches and breathe in that pure air for myself. Thanks for sharing on #FarawayFiles
It looks like absolute perfection Jo! What a stunning seaside to be set aside! These hostels always surprise me with how nice them seem. Thanks for sharing your experience with #FarawayFiles
What a beautiful part of Wales! I can see why it’s a top location! I’m desperate to visit the beach! Pinned for later! Thanks for linking up with #TheWeeklyPostcard!
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What a unique spot to stay and the beach looks gorgeous, I don’t blame you for spending all your time there. Will keep this in mind when I visit Wales. Thanks for sharing on #TheWeeklyPostcard
What a beautiful beach! Water must be pretty cold there though if you need wetsuits. #TheWeeklyPostcard
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Water is freezing! Some hardy souls do go in without but it’s not for the fainthearted!
What a beautiful beach – and such a cool place to stay. Thanks for sharing!
I actually know (of) someone called Eynon, haha (not coincidentally, he’s Welsh!) so I’m not likely to forget Port Eynon now! My Welsh experience is limited to Cardiff but I’d really love to explore more of Wales – such a beautiful country. Thanks for sharing!
Wow, this is incredible. I have a friend who lives in Wales, and her shots of the coast are always great. The hostel seems like an amazing place to take it all in. Thanks for sharing on #TheWeeklyPostcard!
Wow, what a cool place stay in the wales. I didn’t know about this fantastic place. Thanks for sharing this informative information.