How to walk Worms Head safely

Time and tide waits for no man, so the saying goes – literally and alarmingly so if you’ve ventured across the rocky causeway tying Worms Head to mainland Gower. Linger for too long and you’ll find yourself stranded by rising waters, as Dylan Thomas was. If you’d rather not have to summon a lifeboat or stumble back in darkness (as Thomas did), be in the know before you go. Worms Head is accessible 2½ hours either side of low tide – time enough to safely negotiate the rock pools between the foreshore and Inner Head. Further out it’s a scramble from the Middle to the Outer Head (off limits during seabird nesting season, Mar 1st–Aug 1st), crossing Devil’s Bridge (below) to reach it. You should leave at least 1½ hours for the walk out and back. Last crossing times are displayed at the National Trust visitor centre in Rhossili and outside the National Coastwatch lookout station. Learn more at nciwormshead.org.uk

▲ SURF’S UP Blown in from the Atlantic, waves hit a reef as they make landfall at Worms Head.