The spectacular display of sunflowers on the Gower peninsula attracts thousands of visitors every year, with people travelling far and wide to get a glimpse.
Four rangers and eighty volunteers have spent the last 2 years faithfully recreating the 12th Century patchwork of fields on The Vile, creating 2,000 metres of new banks and hedges which had previously been removed after the Second World War in favour of modern, intensive farming methods.
However, like many things, the coronavirus pandemic has caused unprecedented disruption to lots of industry, including impacting the sunflower crops in Rhossili.
When it was announced that the National Trust couldn’t carry on the annual tradition this year, Robert Morgan, owner of Gower Fresh Christmas Trees decided to step in and give something back.
Robert said: “It’s nice to give something back and own a bit of Gower. A lot of farmers in Gower have been struggling over recent years and it was a bit of a gamble planting the sunflowers, I wasn’t sure how long the pandemic would go on for either.
“It’s a nice advert for Gower and something to look forward to after lockdown.
“My aim is not to fill the area with thousands of people. I want people who come to enjoy the fresh air and the sunflowers and look out to sea, rather than looking at their phones and getting an Instagram picture.”
Pictures: Rhossili sunflower fields 2020
When are the sunflower fields open?
The sunflower fields at The Vile, Rhossili are open daily from 9am until approximately 7pm.
Can you pick your own?
Yes. Robert and his team of sunflower growers are allowing visitors to pick their sunflowers for £1.50, with a percentage of the sales going to charity.
How much does it cost?
Parking at Rhossili is managed by the National Trust. It’s free for members or costs £6 for a full day of parking or £3 for two hours. There are pay and display machines on site (cash only). On occasions, there is someone from the Trust managing the car park, whom you can pay.
Are there toilet facilities?
There are toilet facilities located adjacent to the National Trust car park. However, due to social distancing measures, there are limited toilets, urinals and sinks in use.
How to get there
The sunflower fields at Rhossili are located on the Gower Peninsula, approximately 1.5 hours from Cardiff. It’s recommended that you arrive early as it’s a popular destination for people to visit.
Sat nav post code – SA3 1PN
