Latest news with #Rhossili
BBC News
5 days ago
- General
- BBC News
Hiccups helps save 20 people from Rhossili Worm's Head Hotel fire
A man woken by hiccups in the night described it as a "surreal" experience to help save 20 guests from a major fire at a landmark hotel. Chef Morgan Matthews spotted the flames, woke his colleague Joe Clayfield, and the pair ran through the car park in their underwear, desperately searching for phone signal to call the fire Worm's Head Hotel, overlooking the Gower Peninsula in Rhossili, was badly damaged in the early hours on Monday. Both men said they were "just so happy" that everyone escaped safely and proud of the community's support. Mr Matthews said he had been plagued by hiccups for three days and was "being driven mad", which kept him awake and scrolling on his phone. Although he did not see any smoke or hear any noise, he spotted the fire. After waking a "frightened" Mr Clayfield, Mr Matthews said they ran out immediately to try and call the fire pair were "running around the carpark trying to find service" - they eventually got hold of them after three attempts. "Buildings can be rebuilt, you know, but human life is worth so much, so much more," Mr Matthews said."I'm sure the gravity will sink in soon enough. "I think we're staying pretty humble with it for now." Mr Clayfield, who works alongside Mr Matthews at The View Cafe in Rhossili, said he doesn't see himself as a "hero" but rather someone who was "in the right place at the right time". He called Mr Matthews "the real hero" and added: "If he hadn't been awake, I don't want to know what could have happened."When they learned everyone had escaped without injury, the pair shared a moment they'll "remember forever". Mr Clayfield said: "I was so happy. "It was just pure relief. "We just hugged each other standing there."Although grateful there were no casualties, Mr Clayfield said he "can't imagine what the family of the Wormshead are going through at the minute" and wished them the "best of luck" as they work to rebuild.
BBC News
14-07-2025
- BBC News
Gower: Fire causes major damage to landmark hotel
The owners of a landmark hotel overlooking the Gower peninsula said they were "heartbroken" by major damage caused by a and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service were called to a blaze at the Worm's Head Hotel in Rhossili at 00:51 BST on Monday property has been significantly damaged by the fire, the cause of which has not yet been identified, the fire service confirmed that no casualties were reported and all occupants were accounted for."It is particularly heartbreaking and soul destroying for me and family to see 25 years of hard work destroyed in less than 30 mins," the owners said in a social media post. The fire service said it responded to a fire within the property's accommodation block, which spread to the block's entire roof fire was extinguished at around 05:30, with crews continuing to monitor the scene before leaving at 09:32."Not sure how we come back from this at all let alone in the near term future but we will strive to come back stronger," the owners said in a Facebook Nichol, who visits Rhosilli regularly, said she could not believe the destruction following the fire."We used to come every summer. It's absolutely shocking to see it like this," she and Gareth Parfitt, from Weston-super-Mare, were visiting friends in Rhosilli and said they were "devastated"."We've been coming here a few years, spent many a fantastic new year here, so to see it like this, I felt quite emotional when we turned the corner," said Beverly."The vision I had today was to sit outside there with a nice meal and lager together," Gareth added. A 25m (82 ft) span of roof had collapsed at the hotel, leaving blackened beams and an exposed chimney stack a statement, the hotel management said; "Everyone's safe. Thank you for your well wishes. The bar and hotel will be closed pending future updates."The 17-bedroom hotel has sweeping views of the National Trust-owned Rhossili Bay, a designated area of outstanding natural Wales Police were also in attendance to the incident.
Wales Online
14-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Wales Online
Pumpkin picking tickets for Halloween are on sale at one Welsh farm
Pumpkin picking tickets for Halloween are on sale at one Welsh farm This Welsh farm is already preparing for Halloween You can already start planning for Halloween (Image: Adam Ross ) It might only just be summer but if you are already looking ahead to the rest of the year, Halloween will certainly come around quickly. If you want to be prepared in good time you can now book your pumpkin picking tickets at a Welsh farm. Forage Farm, in Cowbridge, has already opened up bookings for its pumpkin picking and Halloween activities. Running from Saturday, October 4 until Friday, October 31, there is a lot to enjoy. Daytime and twilight tickets are available to buy. The daytime tickets are £10 per car and included is the maize maze, lots of photo opportunities, tractor trailer rides, meet the animals, and more. Also included is pumpkin picking, where you then pay per pumpkin. From superstar gigs to cosy pubs, find out What's On in Wales by signing up to our newsletter here . You can also pay extra for pony rides, pumpkin catapult, bucking pumpkin, face painting, balloon modelling, and professional photo opportunities. The twilight sessions are £7 per person, and if you're a thrill‑seeker, Halloween enthusiast, or simply love a spine‑tingling adventure, the after‑dark pumpkin picking is the perfect way to embrace the spooky season. Article continues below Included in the ticket is after-dark pumpkin picking, a spooky maze, hay bale climbing, and meeting the animals. There is also pumpkin catapulting and marshmallow roasting for an extra cost. You can find out more and book your ticket, here. If you are looking for an activity to enjoy before Halloween, the Vale farm is also hosting a colourful PYO flower field this summer. Their fields will be a carpet of colour with 4000 dahlias in 75 varieties, alongside a range of annual flowers, and a sweet pea walkway. The flower field will be open 7 days a week from July 28 to the end of August 10am- 5.30pm and for long weekends in September (Fridays-Mondays). Meanwhile, down in Gower, the Rhossili Sunflower farm, where you can also pick your own, is open now. They offer 10 varieties and colours and nearly 400,000 of the flowers are grown each year. The sunflower farm is open from 9.30am until dusk, daily - unless the weather is bad.. Article continues below
Daily Mail
05-07-2025
- Daily Mail
Britain's best walks revealed - is there one near YOU?
Brits love getting out and exploring this green and pleasant land – and now the best walks to take across the nation has been named. There are incredible routes to be found in England, Scotland and Wales – with a popular West Country destination coming out as the overall winner. The research saw consumer group Which? Pick more than 50 walks that could be easily trekked in a day – no more than 13 miles (20km). It then asked its members to rank them on everything from the scenery along the route, the food and drink opportunities along the way, and peace and quiet. There's also an 'ease of walking' category that judges how difficult they are to hike. The Lizard peninsula circuit, in southern Cornwall, is named the best walk in the UK, with a total score of 87 per cent. The seven-mile route usually takes around three hours from the village of Lizard, and is described by Which? as 'the place to head for a blow-away-the-cobwebs walk'. 'Visitors told us they appreciated the dramatic scenery, the abundance of wildflowers and the possibility of spotting a red-legged chough or bobbing seals and basking sharks in the tumbling waves,' it adds. The best walk in Wales, which also scored 87 per cent and is another coastal course, is the Rhossili headland walk. The Gower Peninsula loop, with a difficulty rating of two out of five across its 3.5 miles, takes in a long sweep of Rhossili beach and views of Worm's Head, a tidal island. Which? recommends a meal at the Worm's Head Hotel following the stroll, where you can expect traditional pub food with local highlights, such as Welsh rarebit, cockles and laverbread. The Lake District's Buttermere circuit and the Craster to Dunstanburgh, in Northumberland, came in closely behind, each snatching an 86 per cent score. The former is judged to be one out of five for ease. It's flat and great for families, leading between the shore and the dramatic mountains. As for the Craster to Dunstanburgh route, the romantic ruins of Dunstanburgh Castle are in view throughout, and walkers should look out for fulmars and razorbill – and, further out to sea, you might spot a grey seal. It's around 2.6 miles, scoring highly for scenery and wildlife. In Scotland, the best walk is Fife's Crail to Anstruther journey, four miles along and achieving a score of 84 per cent from Which? members. 'The Fife Coastal Path links its fishing villages with their stone harbours, pantile-roof cottages and Dutch-style merchants' houses – all of which remain steadfastly unspoilt,' say the consumer champions. As for an end-of-walk reward, the town is home to the award-winning Anstruther Fish Bar & Restaurant – known for its light and crispy batter. Other notable walks include Bottalack Mine Walk in Cornwall, heading up Dorset's Golden Cap, Malham Cove and Gordale Scar walk in North Yorkshire, The Needles and Tennyson Down on the Isle of Wight, and another North Yorkshire entry with the Whitby to Robin Hood's Bay trail. Rory Boland, editor of Which? Travel said: 'The UK has an amazing variety of walks and our list highlights how there is beautiful scenery to enjoy in every corner of the country. 'From historic ruins, beautiful shorelines and seal spotting, our research shows you don't have to be a seasoned hiker and many walks also include cosy cafes and charming local pubs if you do need a rest and some refreshments.' The results were based on almost 3,000 experiences from 1,310 'Which Connect' members, with the talk score combining overall satisfaction and likelihood to recommend.
