Boasting awe-inspiring views over the Loughor Estuary, the Britannia Inn is situated in the picturesque village of Llanmadoc on the North Coast of the famous Gower Peninsula (Britain's first designated "Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty")
Martin and Lindsey invite you to visit them at this beautiful 18th Century pub, with its original fireplaces, bread oven and roof beams, some of which are reputed to have been taken from the ships that were 'lanterned' ashore in the nearby Estuary.
THE FOOD
Whilst here, you can choose to treat yourself to one of Martin's mouth-watering dishes in the à la carte restaurant, freshly-prepared using the finest local produce; in addition, during the day you can order from the home-cooked bar menu, also prepared using fresh, local ingredients.
Having travelled extensively, covering all the main continents of the World, Martin and Lindsey have worked in a number of fine dining restaurants and major hotel groups, including the Marriott, Hilton and Radisson groups, and more exclusive establishments such as Newport's Celtic Manor.
Now settled back in their native Gower, the knowledge gained from their experiences, and their passion and drive to create fine food influence their cuisine. Offering a mix of traditional dishes allied with more exotic fare, they are striving to create a little corner of culinary distinction and service par excellence in this beautiful part of the Gower.
Please go here for a sample menu which showcases the range of dishes available throughout the year; on the same page you can also download and view a copy of this week's menu!
THE PUB
Maybe you'd prefer to just sit and enjoy one of our delicious ales, cool lagers or fine wines in the beautiful surroundings of one of Britain's best kept secret, the Gower peninsula? And why not?
Along with beer gardens to the front and back, there is also an assortment of rabbits and guinea pigs in our hutch, a well-stocked aviary with a variety of budgies, parakeets and a parrot, and a duck pond, home to the infamous Elvis and Priscilla!
THE SURROUNDING AREA
Close to the pub and village are a number of sights and sites (!) of notable interest:
- The local area is criss-crossed with walks to suit all ages and abilities. Some of the widely-varied scenery and walkways on offer in the immediate vicinity of the village include dune, forest, beach, common and hill walking. Please contact the pub or the local walking group for more information.
- Whiteford Lighthouse, accessed by a picturesque walk through a pine forest and across the beach, is the only salt-washed cast iron lighthouse in the UK and boasts a number of interesting features.
- Amongst the many spectacular views that can be found all over the Gower, some notable ones include that afforded at the top of Llanmadoc Hill (also known as Penny Hill: the 'Britannia' Inn sits on one side of the hill with the King's Head pub on the other side!); the view from the top of Cefn Bryn; and that overlooking Llangennith towards Rhossili beach.
- The village of Llanmadoc is said to be named after the 6th Century church of St Madoc; although the Church was later rebuilt in the 1800s, the chancel arch could date to as early as the 12th Century, and a Latin-inscribed stone dates from the 5th or 6th Century. The church is the smallest on the Gower.
- Weobley Castle, the only stone castle (although more a manor house than castle) on the north coast of the Gower has been in existence since at least the 13th Century when records show it was owned by the de la Bere family; later additions to the bulding were made by Sir Rhys ap Thomas, in the latter 15th Century. It is situated about 3 miles from the Inn.
- Close by in the village of Cheriton is St Cadoc (also known as St Cattwg) a 13th Century medieval church with a wagon roof. It is sited near to Glebe House, the oldest inhabited house on the Gower.
- The Gower boasts a number of good surfing spots, not the least of which is Rhossili beach sitting between Worms Head and Burry Holmes. Only ten minutes by car, it can also be reached by walking up and over Llanmadoc Hill and through the village of Llangennith.
- An Iron Age hill fort, the Bulwark, is located on Llanmadoc Hill, as well as up to 14 Bronze Age cairns
- Arthur's Stone or Maen Cetti, situated on the summit of Cefn Bryn, is a Neolithic chambered cairn with a 25stone capstone perched on four uprights; some estimates put the total number of cairns on Cefn Bryn as high as 100!
- As well as the local, 9-hole Par-3 Gowerton golf course and golf range, the Gower boasts a number of golf courses for the more experienced golfer.
[Many thanks to Bruce McDonald for allowing us to use the information he has so diligently gathered for his website, Glamorgan Walks]
The nearest town is Swansea (although Llanelli is directly across the Estuary!), only 15 miles away and the famous fishing village of Mumbles is 13 miles distant.
