The Gower Peninsula, west of Swansea, is the first designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and has unbeatable, unspoiled beaches. The National Trust visitor centre (01792 390 707, www.nationaltrust.org) overlooking Rhossili beach and the Worm’s Head is a good place to start. Three Cliffs Bay was last year voted the best place in Britain to watch the sun set.

But I don’t want to lie on a beach

Surf’s up (usually) learn at Gower Surfing Development (01792 360 370, www.gowersurfing.com) four-star school. Or choose one of several courses that Internet Outdoors (01792 234 304, www.internetoutdoors.com) arrange near the beach, including yoga, bushcraft, cookery and paragliding. They also organise accommodation BB, yurt or teepee and deliver an organic picnic.

Why go now?

The Swansea Bay Festival (www.swanseabayfestival.net), continues until September and includes living history days and outdoor Shakespeare.

Doesn’t sound very glam

Is Catherine Zeta-Jones bling enough? The locally raised Hollywood star has built a house near Mumbles.

I like a drop

Next weekend (August 16-18) the Mumbles and Swansea Bay Beer Festival at Brangwyn Hall will have more than 60 real ales and 10 ciders on tap.

It’s raining

The National Waterfront Museum (01792 638 950, www.waterfrontmuseum.co.uk) in Swansea’s Maritime Quarter, has events all month and is open until 8pm on “Waterfront Wednesdays”.

What about Dylan Thomas?

Although his Boathouse home is further west in Laugharne, the Dylan Thomas Centre (01792 463 980) in Swansea, his birthplace, has a permanent exhibition.

I’m hungry

Try The Welcome to Town (01792 390 015, www.thewelcometotown.co.uk) in Llanrhidian, for Welsh lamb, beef and seafood. Verdi’s (01792 369 135, www.verdis-cafe.co.uk) on Mumbles seafront has pizza and pasta, plus real cream ices. Try Swansea market for Welsh cakes, cockles and laverbread seaweed that’s fried up with bacon to take home.

Stay another day?

Mumbles Tourist Information Centre (01792 361 302, www.mumblestic.co.uk) for more Gower accommodaton*

www.enjoygower.com www.visitwales.co.uk