Worm's Head facts for kids
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Worm's Head (Welsh: Pen Pyrod) is a famous piece of land that sticks out into the sea. It is the most western point on the Gower Peninsula in Rhossili, which is part of Swansea, Wales. Its name comes from an old English word that means 'dragon'. People thought it looked like a sleeping dragon!
Worm's Head is made of a type of rock called limestone. It is actually made up of three parts, like three small islands connected together. These are called the Inner Head, Middle Head, and Outer Head. The whole area is about one mile long. The Inner Head, which is closest to the mainland, is up to 200 yards wide.
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How to Visit Worm's Head
You can only walk to Worm's Head at certain times. It is connected to the mainland by a natural path called a causeway. This path is only safe to cross for about 2 and a half hours before and after the lowest point of the tide. When the tide comes in, the causeway gets covered by water. This means you can get stuck on Worm's Head if you don't check the tide times carefully.
Checking Tide Times for Safety
It is very important to know when the tide will be low and high. Before you visit, always check the tide tables. These tables tell you exactly when the water will be low enough to cross safely. If you don't check, you could get trapped by the rising water. This can be dangerous and lead to needing help from rescue teams.
Famous Visitors and Important Lessons
Many people have visited Worm's Head over the years. One famous visitor was the poet Dylan Thomas. He once described Worm's Head as a "promontory of depression." He even got stuck there one time and had to spend the night because he didn't check the tide!
Learning from Others' Experiences
It's a good idea to learn from these stories. In recent years, several groups of visitors have had to be rescued. For example, in August 2020, seven people were rescued by the coastguard after getting stuck. In September 2020, seven university students also needed help. These events show how important it is to be prepared and aware of the tides when visiting this beautiful but tricky place. Always plan your trip carefully and make sure you have enough time to get back before the tide comes in.
