Port Eynon facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Port Eynon |
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 Port Eynon Bay |
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 Port Eynon
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| Population | 574 (2001 census) |
| OS grid reference | SS461852 |
| Principal area | |
| Ceremonial county | |
| Country | Wales |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | SWANSEA |
| Postcode district | SA3 |
| Dialling code | 01792 |
| Police | South Wales |
| Fire | Mid and West Wales |
| Ambulance | Welsh |
| EU Parliament | Wales |
| UK Parliament |
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| Welsh Assembly |
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Port Eynon is a lovely village located in Wales, right at the southern tip of the Gower Peninsula. It's part of the City and County of Swansea. This area is so special that it's called an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, which means it has amazing landscapes and wildlife. Port Eynon is a small community with about 600 people living there. It even has its own local council!
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Exploring Port Eynon Village
Port Eynon village is quite small and stretches from the sandy beach up a hill. When you visit, you'll find fun places like two fish and chip shops and a gift shop right by the sea. There's also a Youth Hostel, which is a cool place for young travelers to stay. It used to be a lifeboat house! You can also find two pubs and a cafe/surf shop.
Nearby Villages and Paths
Close to Port Eynon is a village called Overton. From Overton, you can follow paths that lead to Overton Mere, which is a beach with stones and rocks. Another village, Horton, is just half a mile from Port Eynon, at the other end of the main beach.
Getting Around
It's easy to get around Port Eynon, especially during the warmer months. Buses connect the different beaches, so you can walk along the coast and then catch a bus back. Port Eynon is also part of the Wales Coast Path, which is a long walking trail that goes all around the coast of Wales. You'll find clear signs if you're walking from places like Rhossili or Oxwich.
Port Eynon's Past
Port Eynon is believed to be named after a Welsh prince named Einion. He might have lived in the 11th century. People think this prince built a castle in Port Eynon, but it's no longer there today. You can still see the Eynon surname on old gravestones in the village churchyard.
Smuggling Stories
In the 17th and 18th centuries, it's thought that many local people in Port Eynon were involved in smuggling. This means they secretly brought goods into the country without paying taxes.
The Old Salt House
Near Port Eynon Point, about a quarter of a mile from the village, you can find an old, ruined building called a "salt house." This building was once used to get salt from sea water.
Brave Lifeboat Crews
From the late 1700s until 1919, a lifeboat operated from Port Eynon. These brave crews would go out to sea to rescue people in trouble. Sadly, sometimes lifeboatmen lost their lives during these dangerous missions. On January 1, 1916, three young men died while trying to help a shipwrecked boat called SS Dunvegan near Oxwich point. There's a memorial in the village churchyard to remember these heroes. You can even see copies of old newspaper articles about this event at the local fish and chip shop in Port Eynon.
Port Eynon Bay
Port Eynon Bay is a very popular beach. It's right next to the village and is a favorite spot for visitors. Port Eynon Point is the most southern part of the Gower Peninsula. Both Port Eynon and Horton beaches have sometimes lost some of their sand, possibly because of activities in the Bristol Channel. But don't worry, in recent years, the sand has returned and the beaches are looking great!
Famous People from Port Eynon
- The famous singer and actor Walter Glynne (1870–1945) lived and passed away here.
