Back Overview Features Reviews Days out

Ship Cottage, Gower

Visitor Rating
Rating
Exceptional
8
1
3
2
Every now and then we come across a property that is as unique as it is inviting, where visitors can savour in seclusion with a stunning beach pretty much all to themselves. Ship Cottage is over 350 years old and is the ultimate Gower coastal hideaway. A pretty white washed stone cottage with rustic and vintage styling. The cottage sleeps 8 but has an additional Annexe(via an interconnecting door) allowing both cottage and Annexe to sleep up to 14. For remoteness and that sense of really being away from it all, an added quirk is that your only way in or out is in a Land Rover pre-arranged with the owners.
Check Prices & Availability »
At HolidayCottages.co.uk

About Ship Cottage

Every now and then we come across a property that is as unique as it is inviting, where visitors can savour in seclusion with a stunning beach pretty much all to themselves. Ship Cottage is over 350 years old and is the ultimate Gower coastal hideaway. A pretty white washed stone cottage with rustic and vintage styling. The cottage sleeps 8 but has an additional Annexe(via an interconnecting door) allowing both cottage and Annexe to sleep up to 14. For remoteness and that sense of really being away from it all, an added quirk is that your only way in or out is in a Land Rover pre-arranged with the owners. You can walk of course if you need a fix of civilisation either through the woods inland towards the village of Bishopston or along the cliff top coastal path that leads you to coffee shops, stores, pubs and less remote beaches. As well as the quiet and chance to enjoy fires on the beach and midnight swims under the stars, guests can enjoy a sense of a being immersed in a little part of Gower history. The original part of the house dates back to 1700 when records began but is thought to be considerably older. First a quarryman's house, it later became a smuggler's inn. Indeed neighbouring Brandy Cove is named after the illicit contraband regularly smuggled through. The building only became a private dwelling in the 1970s when through sympathetic restoration, retaining features such as beams and inglenook fireplaces, it has kept its character yet has all the modern day fixtures, fittings and features needed for a comfortable holiday retreat. THERE IS NO VEHICULAR ACCESS TO THE PROPERTY OTHER THAN VIA THE OWNER'S 4X4 LANDROVER (day of arrival and departure only). In very extreme cases, to add to the adventure of reaching your destination sometimes the small river floods and then access is by foot only via the beach or a woodland path (these routes add a 10 minute journey to the arrival). N.B. Guests leave their car in a residential area 1.1 miles from the property. The owners will collect you from a meeting point on arrival and transport you to your destination. Guests are welcome to bring their own 4wd if they are confident to drive off road and be liable for their own car. The track is rough and steep and cars may get scratched-the owner is happy to talk you through the access route. Ship Cottage (ref. 646) A 3-bedroom family house sleeping 8/10 people in rustic, open plan accommodation with the luxury of underfloor heating, a roll top bath, inglenook fireplace and sea views that is simply perfect for a family or group holiday or short break (off peak times only) and where dogs are welcome too. Ship Cottage Annex (ref. 652) A delightful, 1-bedroom coastal bolthole offering open plan accommodation set over two floors for 2 up to 4 people (sofa bed on ground floor). A modern addition to the cottage built on in the 1970's offers a large space with a stunning inglenook fireplace make for a comfy retreat and upstairs with sea outlook. Available for short breaks during off peak times, visitors can enjoy sea views, solitude and can bring the dog too. Accommodation Ship Cottage - Ground Floor Lounge/Diner: Large sofa, underfloor heating, a dining table with chairs and a bench. Kitchen: Electric oven, gas hob, fridge with ice box, fridge/freezer, dishwasher and washing machine (available in cupboard under the stairs). Reception: Soft seating for five including a double sofa bed and has a wood burner, oven in the inglenook fireplace. The lounge also has underfloor heating and a flatscreen TV/DVD. First Floor A tiered landing. Master Bedroom: Superking size bed, wardrobe, a chest of drawers. Bedroom 2: Double bed, chest of drawers, and a wardrobe. It also has an additional single bed and an en suite shower room, with a shower cubicle, wash hand basin, bidet and WC. Bedroom 3: Triple bunk bed (double bed with single over) and wardrobe. Family Bathroom: Victorian style, freestanding slipper bath with shower over, wash hand basin and WC. External: A key feature of this holiday home is its rear garden where its unkempt country feel adds to its appeal of this remote haven. Enclosed by a stone wall and a nautically themed iron gate, stone steps lead you to a lawn where you'll find outdoor furniture. Enclosed rear garden with lawn, patio area, sea views and enclosure containing free range hens to supply you with fresh eggs throughout your stay. Garden furniture. Sleeps 8: 1 Superking, 2 Triple (1 Double with Single over, 1 Double with extra Single (child's bed)), Double sofa bed in lounge available at an additional charge of £15 for extra linen per booking- then sleeping 10 C/O day - Fri. LPG gas. Wood burner. Bed linen & towels provided. WiFi can be intermittent. Highchair by appointment. Books & games. 2 pets accepted. No smoking Tea towels and washing up liquid are provided in the kitchen, please bring all condiments needed. In the bathroom a hand towel, liquid soap and starter loo rolls are provided but guests will need to bring their own supply of toilet roll for their duration. *Weekend discount available - reference 646 only* - 15% discount for 3 night breaks commencing on a Friday (February only and excluding school holidays), call for discount to be applied.
Check Prices & Availability »
At HolidayCottages.co.uk

Need To Know

More Group Cottages You May Like

Local Insights: Ship Cottage

Unique information you won't find on booking sites

Gower, South Wales

Weather & Local Conditions

19°C

Overcast

Updated: 28 Jul 2026, 2:49am

🌡️
18.50°C
Temperature
💨
17 km/h
Wind Speed
💧
93%
Humidity
🧳
Packing Tip: UK weather can turn quickly, so pack layers whatever the forecast. A waterproof and sturdy shoes mean the whole group can head out whatever July throws at you.

What to Expect Through the Year

  • May - September: Warmest, longest days - ideal for big group days out, gardens and BBQs
  • October - November: Crisp autumn colour, cosy evenings by the fire, quieter attractions
  • December - February: Perfect for a snug winter escape - great for Christmas and New Year gatherings
  • March - April: Spring blooms, longer evenings returning, wildlife becoming active
🌧️
Rainy Day Tip: A large cottage comes into its own on wet days - board games, a long lunch and a film with the whole group beat a cramped hotel any day. Check the tabs here for nearby pubs and attractions with indoor options.

Dark Skies & Stargazing

Ship Cottage sits in a location with genuinely dark skies - a real treat for a group, and something you rarely get at home in town.

Bortle Scale Rating

The Bortle scale measures night sky darkness from 1 (darkest) to 9 (brightest urban):

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
🌌
Class 4 - Rural/suburban transition
This location's dark sky rating

What You Can See From the Cottage

The Milky Way is visible overhead, though light domes may be visible on the horizon towards larger towns.

The Milky Way is visible on clear, moonless nights.

Best Stargazing Conditions

  • New Moon periods: Darkest skies, best Milky Way visibility
  • Winter months: Earlier darkness, crisper skies, Orion constellation prominent
  • After 11pm: Neighbouring lights typically switched off
  • Allow 20 minutes: Let your eyes adjust to darkness before looking up
📱
Pro Tip: Download a stargazing app like "Sky Map" or "Star Walk" before arrival. Mobile signal can be limited, and these apps work offline - a fun activity to share with the whole group.

Location & Elevation

20m

(66 feet above sea level)

Ship Cottage sits in a peaceful South Wales setting - space to spread out and the perfect base for a group getaway.

🏔️
20m
Elevation
📍
Gower
Nearest Village
🌲
Rural
Setting

What the Elevation Means for Your Stay

  • Fresher air: Expect it a touch cooler than coastal areas - bracing walks and restful sleep
  • Clearer air: Less pollution and haze, better views and stargazing
  • Morning mists: Valley fog sometimes forms below, creating magical sunrise views
  • Walking access: Higher starting point means shorter climbs to hilltops and summits
🚗
Driving Note: The roads to Gower are typical South Wales lanes - narrow in places with passing spots. If the group is arriving in several cars, share the postcode and a meeting point in advance.

Coordinates

Latitude: 51.5645980° N | Longitude: 4.05959° W

Sunrise & Sunset Times

Today's sun times for Gower (Tuesday, 28 July 2026):

4:32am

Sunrise

7:13pm

Golden Hour

8:13pm

Sunset

🌅
4:32am
Sunrise
🌇
8:13pm
Sunset
📸
7:13pm
Golden Hour

Planning Your Days by Season

  • Summer (Jun-Aug): Sunset around 9:30-10pm - long days for group walks, days out and late alfresco dinners
  • Autumn (Sep-Nov): Sunset 5-7pm - perfect timing for an after-dinner drink as the stars come out
  • Winter (Dec-Feb): Sunset around 4pm - cosy early evenings by the fire, ideal for stargazing
  • Spring (Mar-May): Sunset 6-9pm - watch the evenings grow longer each day
🌙
Golden Hour: For the best light, plan your group photo or evening walk around golden hour (7:13pm). The warm colours make for lovely holiday photos before you head back in for dinner.

July Daylight

This month in Gower, you have approximately 15.69 hours of daylight. The long summer days mean plenty of time for group adventures before a relaxed evening back at the cottage.

Practical Essentials

Everything the group needs to know before you arrive at Ship Cottage.

Mobile Phone Signal

📱

Signal Strength

Good

Mobile signal is generally good in this area across most networks.

💡
Signal Tip: All major networks should work well here.

Nearest Essentials

🚗
Arrival Tip: Fill up with fuel before you arrive - petrol stations can be sparse in rural South Wales. With a larger group it's worth doing one big supermarket shop on the way, especially if arriving late.

Family & Fun

Data updated: 28 Jul 2026 | Location: 51.5645980, -4.0595900

Information unique to this location - not available on booking sites

What Guests Love

What do previous guests think about their group stay at Ship Cottage

Getting To Ship Cottage

Find your way to your perfect countryside retreat

Group Attractions & More Nearby

Stuff for larger groups and families to try!

Is Ship Cottage Right For Your Group

Discover why this cottage is the one for your party or family reunion...

For Families
Groups Will Love...
Pet Friendly

Dining & Cafes

Taste the local flavours during your stay at Ship Cottage

Frequently Asked Questions

Quick answers to our most common questions about Ship Cottage

Popular Stays Near This Cottage

Gower
4 cottages
Mumbles
5 cottages
Port Eynon
5 cottages

Ship Cottage Reviews

Alexander
We loved every moment of this place.
Deb
The most amazing location for a family holiday. A real escape from busy lifestyles. Highly recommend.
Philippa
The cottage is in the most fabulous spot. We loved it and would recommend it to others, but only if they are a young, fit, active and adventurous family or group. It is definitely not for the faint-hearted! Although we four are not faint hearted, we are not young or particularly fit, so perhaps we should have chosen a cushier place. But then we would have missed a superb break in a beautiful location!
Caroline
What a special week. Really relaxing. Enjoyed watching the daily change of Pwll Du bay. Great walks around the coast, accessing local cafes for lunch and home for the evening. The cottage has a great array of games for all ages which we played. The cottage feels very spacious and comfortable. The kitchen was very well stocked. I cooked lots of meals to take with us so we just prepped. Large fridge freezer was perfect given the location. The cottage feels very special and loved by its owners. Thoroughly recommend and would love to go back.
Katy
A fabulous week at the beautiful Ship Cottage. The location of the cottage may be off putting for some, but we loved the privacy and detachment from day to day distractions. We definitely hope to return soon ❤️
Leave a Review
Been to Ship Cottage? Please leave a review and share your holiday experiences.
Name
Month of stay
Year of stay
Review