My Britain: GOWER PENINSULA

Drive just half an hour away from the city of Swansea and you'll find a slice of paradise: the Gower Peninsula.

- Alice Gawthrop

Named the UK's first Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty in 1956, Gower is known for its jaw-dropping coastline dotted with beaches, caves and bays. It's also where the first human fossil in the world was found the Red Lady of Paviland (although upon further investigation the remains were found to be male).

Nowadays, Gower is perhaps better known for stunning coastal walks and thrilling surfing opportunities. Further inland you can also find serene forest trails and rolling green hills. Wildlife abounds on land, sea and sky, including grazing sheep, playful seals and impressive peregrine falcons. We spoke to some of the residents of Gower Peninsula to see what life is like on this beautiful peninsula.

JAY DOYLE

Jay, 51, is the founder of Earthly Rebels, a plant-based skincare and self-care range earthlyrebels.co.uk

I WAS BORN IN Three Crosses, a farming village at the north-east of the Peninsula. I spent my childhood there before moving away, returning to Swansea in my twenties. I now live near the Mumbles-the gateway to the Peninsula. I don't intend to ever move away again!

I moved away from Gower as a child, after my parents separated. As soon as I became independent, I made my way back to Swansea, made new friends, discovered surfing, and spent all the time I could hanging out and camping at Llangennith beach. It was heaven. Llangennith remains my favourite place to this day.