GOWER RUMOURS
Join us as we share some of our favourite tales of bygone Gower days. By revisiting the stories woven into the bedrock of the Peninsula, we keep our heritage alive. As time moves on, these legends often take on a life of their own and the rumours creep in…
The third and final episode in our new short story series features of the most mysterious rumours on the Peninsula... Tucked away in the sea cliffs between Port Eynon and Overton is a cave sealed behind an 18-meter stone wall with no door and ill-matched windows. Some say it was used as a breeding home for domestic pigeons whereas legend has it the enclave was storehouse for wreckers and smugglers alike.
Believed to have been built in the 13th or 14th century as a shelter for domesticated pigeons, the cave would have held hundreds of pigeons in the day. Pigeons were an important source of food, providing meat and fresh eggs. The the word “culver” derives from the Old English word “culfre,” meaning pigeon which is where the name for this curious space is said to have originated.
According to legend, this site was also used as a storehouse by powerful local brigand John Lucas and once had a secret tunnel that was used to move illegal contraband connecting it to the neighbouring salt house in Port Eynon.
Did you know that our Smugglers Cider was named after this secret spot? The artwork is inspired by the smuggling operations from across Gower’s coastline. With countless coves and desolate bays, it was an ideal spot for smuggling spirits, tobacco, tea and silk.
