Huge landslide hits Britain's most beautiful beach

A cliff landslide has crashed onto a Welsh beach that was last year voted the 10th best in the world.

Tonnes of rocks gave way and fell onto the Rhossili Beach in Gower, Swansea, which is owned by the National Trust.

Steven Campbell-Kelly, owner of the Rhossili Gallery and a volunteer for Rhossili Coastguard Cliff Rescue, told Aol Travel: "A collapse of a significant section of sedimentary cliff between Rhossili Beach steps and the main limestone cliffs occurred on 22 January.

"This has resulted in a collapse of a section some 200 feet long by 40 to 50 feet high. The upper section continues to crumble and I believe another significant collapse will occur within the next couple of weeks.

"This landslide occurred very close to the remains of old medieval Rhossili Village on the Warren, owned by the National Trust."

The three-mile stretch of white sand was named third in a list of best European beaches in a worldwide tourist survey carried out by Tripadvisor in 2013.

One traveller said: "Rhossilli Bay is stunning. The walks along the cliff top are breathtakingly magnificent - walk until you reach past the Visitors Centre and just look out to Worms Head - what a view."

And not only was it the top three in Europe, Rhossili Bay was also voted the 10th best beach in the world in a Tripadvisor poll.

Some people, however, had their noses put out of joint. Namely the Aussies. One Australian journalist even went so far as to write an entire article about why so many beaches Down Under were far worthier of the accolade, entitled "YOU'RE JOKING: This British beach is NOT better than ours".

But, as the South Wales Evening Post points out, the spot is regularly hailed for its stunning views in numerous best beach surveys.

However, authorities are now warning people to be vigilant for further landslides. Steve Jones, Swansea Coastguard rescue co-ordination manager, told the BBC: "We would urge members of the public to take extra care after all this wet weather.

"We now have evidence that we are getting these falls and we would ask people to be very cautious when they are out walking around cliffs."

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