Today I finally got to tick off something that has been on my bucket list for a very long time! I got to walk to Worm’s Head. For those of you who don’t know, worm’s head is an amazing tidal island on the Gower, just off the coast from Rhossili beach.

Named by the Vikings, the Norse word “wurme” means dragon or serpent, and I think you’ll agree it definitely has a closer resemblance to a dragon than a worm!

I have wanted to walk to Worm’s head for years now, but something always seemed to stop me from getting there. Whether it was children to small to manage it, or the tide times not fitting with the rare child free time I could have gone, or the weather not being suitable when the tide timings were right.

So when some good friends messaged me yesterday to say the weather and tide were both perfect, and they were heading over, I could not miss this chance to finally get to Worm’s Head!

The general rule of thumb for timing your crossing is to leave two and a half hours either side of low tide. And if you want further reassurance, the coastguard hut at the start of the walk has the timings on a signpost for you, so you have no excuse to get stuck! The combination of currents and rocks means that it is very important you don’t leave too late, so do make sure you know the timings before setting off.

Low tide today was 12.50pm, so we set off at 10.30 and arrived at the far end of the first island just in time for our picnic. The walk across the causeway is very rocky, and you have to navigate your way around lots of rock pools too, but it is not as bad as I was expecting. My 6 year old managed it amazingly well, and hopped around on the rocks like it was nothing. I tried to have my mini heart attacks quietly so as not to spend the whole time saying “careful.” I needn’t have worried, he wasn’t phased at all, and navigated it all like a pro.

The rock pools on the walk over were amazing, we saw so many things without even stopping to properly investigate. Anemones, snails, fish, and crabs, as well as lots of fossils on the rocks too. I really want to take the kids back sometime soon just to explore the rock pools some more.

Once you make it to the island, you can either go straight up the first hill, or around the side. We opted for round the side, as it looked a little easier for the kids. We then sat and had our picnic with the most amazing views looking over to the second island, and the very impressive “devil’s bridge,” and we even saw a seal!

We decided on this occasion not to walk over to the second island. The rocks between the 2 islands looked a lot more precarious than the ones we had just ventured across, and I didn’t fancy trying to get myself across and having to worry about the kids at the same time. Plus all the children voted “no” to going across so that decided that. I definitely want to head back another time, child free, and explore over there!

We then walked to the top of the hill, and the views looking back at Rhossili were just breathtaking. It was amazing to see brand new views of Worm’s Head, but also to see Rhossili, such a familiar view, from a whole new perspective was really incredible. We then headed back down, and across the causeway. I think everyone found the walk back a lot quicker and easier, probably because we were used to navigating the rocks!

All in all, it was an absolutely stunning walk, and a dream of a day. If you haven’t made it across yet I can highly recommend it, and I think if nothing else we’ll be heading back soon just to do some more rock pooling there at low tide, and hopefully it won’t be long before I can explore more of the island without the kids in tow!