Australians moan about Welsh beach being named 10th best in the world

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Australians moan about Welsh beach being named 10th best in the world
Australians moan about Welsh beach being named 10th best in the world


Rhossili Bay, 5km stretch of beach in Swansea, was recently named the 10th best beach in the world in a Tripadvisor poll.

And, while we're sure the Welsh were very pleased with that accolade, some people weren't so happy: the disgruntled Aussies.

In a feature written by Anthony Sharwod on The Australian website, entitled "YOU'RE JOKING: This British beach is NOT better than ours", the writer starts off by describing the beach as a "strip of mud-coloured sand". A direct contrast to the Daily Telegraph's description of it as "unspoilt yellow sands".

The article then goes on to make the case for why Australia's beaches are better, and basically say it beggars belief that a beach in Wales would make the world's top 10.

Australians moan about Welsh beach being named 10th best in the world
Australians moan about Welsh beach being named 10th best in the world


It reads: "Only one Aussie Beach, Whitehaven Beach in the Whitsundays, made the list. That was one insult. But we simply could not believe it when we discovered a beach in south Wales on the list.

"No, not a beach in New South Wales. Not the perfect rolling breakers of Bondi or the gleaming white sands of Hyams Beach, two hours south of Sydney.

"We're talking about a beach in south Wales, UK. As in, she sells sea shells by the Welsh sea shore."

They even rang a local, Julian Short, the 71-year-old proprietor of the Worm's Head Hotel in the village of Rhossili overlooking the beach, to see if he agreed.

Mr Short said: "I don't know if I'd say it's one of the best beaches in in the world, but it's quite attractive really.

"The sand is soft and there are downs (rolling grassy hills) behind the beach running up about 600 feet or so."

Mr Sharwood suggests that's very nice and all, but he'd rather see "swaying palms".

Australians moan about Welsh beach being named 10th best in the world
Australians moan about Welsh beach being named 10th best in the world


Rhossili Bay was praised for its food, surfing and scenery, and Sharwood notes the fact the water remains shallow a long way off-shore as a plus.

But then points out that the current day water temperature is around 6C, and suggests,"you swim here if you've always wanted to be an icicle", adding: "Summer is not much better. The water at Rhossili hovers between 14 and 18 degrees in the British summer, which is cooler than Bondi in midwinter."

The writer also points out that Mr Short himself had never once been for a dip in the sea in his 71 years in the region, and holidays once a year in Dubai for the sun and the warm waters of the Arabian sea.

Australians moan about Welsh beach being named 10th best in the world
Australians moan about Welsh beach being named 10th best in the world


One thing they did give us? A point for the grub. The article read: "If there's one area where this Welsh beach possibly trumps Australia's, it's the food."

Mr Short, who they admit, is a "strong advocate" of the bay's appeal, said: "You can get fresh cod and chips here, and people often come in to pick up a bag of pasties to take down to the beach for lunch. They usually stay for a pint or two while we warm them up."

But when asked whether his perfect beach holiday would be at home or somewhere like Australia, he said: "I would probably go to your beaches. Let's be honest, how on earth would anyone not prefer Bondi Beach with those gorgeous girls?"

What do you think? Is this a serious case of Aussie sour grapes? Or do they have a point?

See more stunning beaches in Wales below:

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