text: A run-down car park has been bought for £3million by the National Trust - because it offers one of Britain's most spectacular views. The tatty tarmac site overlooks the golden sands at Rhossili in South Wales, voted the UK's number one beach, the third best in Europe, and 9th best in the world by TripAdvisor. Visitors to the tip of the Gower peninsula can see the coastline stretch on for miles, surrounded by the rolling Welsh hills in the picture-perfect vista. This tatty tarmac car park has been snapped up for £3m by the National Trust - because it has one of Britain's most spectacular views over the beach at Rhossili on the Gower in South Wales . Now the rundown parking spot has been snapped up by the heritage organisation which normally looks after the UK's best buildings and landscapes. National Trust manager Paul Boland defended spending the hefty sum to buy the car park from private landowners with the aim of improving it. He said: 'We want to ensure that we provide Gower with a first-class car park for a first-class destination. We believe this will secure the future of a very important area of natural beauty, renowned for its wildlife, environment and archaeology, as well as ultimately bringing better facilities at this world-renowned tourist location.' Picture-perfect vista overlooks miles of golden sands at Rhossili - voted the UK's number one beach, third best in Europe, and 9th best in the world by TripAdvisor . The beautiful piece of coastline is a favourite with location scouts and has been the setting for Doctor Who along with a host of car TV adverts . Day-long charges will be £4 - an increase of 50p from the existing charge but with a new £2 two-hour charge. National Trust members will be able to park for free from today. The beach at Rhossili is a favourite with TV executives and has been the setting for Doctor Who along with a host of car adverts. The Trust hope the new facilities may be added to help provide for the thousands who regularly make a pilgrimage to Rhossili. Mr Boland added: 'We will consider other facilities that are harmonious with the outstanding beauty of this unique part of the world.' The car park will open under the National Trust, which already owns a large section of the coastline including Rhossili Beach and the Worm's Head islands, this weekend. The ugly car park and pot-holed tarmac was previously owned by a private landowners who sold it off to the National Trust for £3million . National Trust manager Paul Boland defended the hefty sum paid for the land saying he wanted to ensure Gower had a 'first-class car park for a first-class destination' The Trust now aims to improve a car park with the best scenery in the land for tourists visiting the tip of the Gower peninsula for the glorious Welsh views . The new car park will open under the National Trust, already owns a large section of the coastline including Rhossili Beach and the Worm's Head islands, this weekend .
target: The run-down car park offers stunning, picture-perfect views across miles of golden sands at Rhossili beach .
  National Trust snapped up the tatty tarmac parking spot for £3m to create a new and improved car park .
  The beauty spot in South Wales has been voted the UK's number one beach and filming location for Doctor Who .