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Woodland at Oxwich Point

Recommended by

Our view

"A short but exhilarating ramble through woodland and along delightful coastline."

Walk directions

Walk back out of the car park and turn left to a crossroads. Turn left here (waymarked ‘Eglwys’) and pass the Oxwich Bay Hotel, on your right. This lane leads into the woods and up to St Illtyd’s Church, where a gate marks the end of the road and the start of a path leading out on to Oxwich Point.

Join the path that runs beneath the church, and follow it for a few paces before going up wooden steps that climb steeply into the wood. Just before the top of the steps, turn left to go through the wood, dropping back down a veritable glut of steps and around the headland until it comes out into the open above Oxwich Point.

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Location

Nearest postcode:

Additional information

Terrain - Clear paths through woodland, along coast and across farmland, quiet lane

Landscape - Mixed woodland and rugged coastline

Dog friendliness - Can mostly run free but watch steep cliffs and livestock

Parking - Oxwich Bay

Toilets en route - Opposite Oxwich Bay Hotel near start

Walks in Swansea Dog-friendly walks in Swansea

About the walk

The Gower has less obvious headlands than nearby Pembrokeshire, so interesting circular walks are harder to come by. This one stands out for a couple of reasons. Firstly, it can be combined with a visit to Oxwich National Nature Reserve, a treasure trove of marshland and sand dunes in a wonderful... beachside location. Secondly, the wonderful coastal scenery includes the beautiful and usually deserted beach known as The Sands. And finally, being relatively short, it allows plenty of time for exploring both the atmospheric St Illtyd’s Church and the majestic ruins of Oxwich Castle. Once a busy port that paid its way by shipping limestone from quarries on the rugged headland, Oxwich is now one of the prettiest and most unspoilt Gower villages, due in no small part to its distance from the main roads. The name is derived from Axwick, Norse for water creek. For maximum enjoyment, it’s best visited away from the main holiday seasons. St Illtyd’s Church, founded in the 6th century ad and tucked away in a leafy clearing above the beach, is particularly significant for its stone font, which is said to have been donated by St Illtyd himself. The grounds are tranquil with an atmosphere that comes in stark contrast to the summertime noise of the beach below. Behind the building is the grave of an unknown soldier who was washed up on the beach during World War II. It’s certainly a spooky spot and the graveyard is purported to be haunted by a strange half-man-half-horse creature. St Illtyd (or St Illtud) was a Welsh-born monk who founded the nearby abbey of Llanilltud Fawr (Llantwit Major). He is perhaps most famous for his fights against famine, which included sailing grain ships to Brittany. He died in Brittany in ad 505. Really a 16th-century mansion house built by Sir Rhys Mansel on the site of the 14th-century castle, Oxwich Castle occupies an airy setting above the bay. Sir Rhys, in common with many locals, wasn’t above plundering the cargo of ships that came to grief in the bay and was quick to take advantage of a French wreck in late December 1557. The salvage rights, however, belonged to a Sir George Herbert of Swansea, who quickly paid Mansel a visit to reclaim his goods. A fight broke out and Sir Rhys’s sister Anne was injured by a stone thrown by Herbert’s servant. She later died from her injuries. There followed a feud which continued for many years until eventually the Mansel family moved to Margam, east of Swansea. Part of the mansion was leased to local farmers, but most of the fine building fell into disrepair.

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About the area

There’s no getting away from it – when it comes to image, Swansea is a bit of a mixed bag. During its heyday in the 19th century, as king of the copper industry, it was known as ‘Copperopolis’.

Route details

Difficulty:

Easy

Gradient:

Moderate

Distance:

4.5 miles (7.2kms)

Ascent:

480ft (146m)

If you like this walk, you can try more routes in the area.

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Woodland at Oxwich Point

Recommended by

Our view

"A short but exhilarating ramble through woodland and along delightful coastline."

Walk details

Difficulty:

Easy

Gradient:

Moderate

Distance:

4.5 miles (7.2kms)

Ascent:

480ft (146m)

Walk directions

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The path drops through gorse and bracken to become a grassy coast path that runs easily above a rocky beach. Keep the sea on your left and ignore any tracks that run off to the right. After approximately 1 mile (1.6km), you’ll pass a distinct valley that drops in from your right. Continue past this and you’ll be funelled into a narrow, fenced section with a field to your right. Go through a couple of gates, and you’ll eventually reach a path diversion that points you right, away from the beach.

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Follow this to a kissing gate and a broad farm track, where you turn left. Continue up and around to the right until you come to a galvanised kissing gate. Go through this and keep right to head up a lane past some houses to a crossroads with a lane on your left marked Western Slade Farm.

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Turn right here and follow the road along to a fork where you keep right. Pass through the hamlets of Oxwich Green and Ganderstreet. Drop down to the entrance of Oxwich Castle on the right. After looking at or exploring the castle, turn right, back on to the lane, and head down into Oxwich village. Keep straight ahead to the car park.

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Location

Starting point

Nearest postcode:

Additional information

Terrain - Clear paths through woodland, along coast and across farmland, quiet lane

Landscape - Mixed woodland and rugged coastline

Dog friendliness - Can mostly run free but watch steep cliffs and livestock

Parking - Oxwich Bay

Toilets en route - Opposite Oxwich Bay Hotel near start

Walks in Swansea Dog-friendly walks in Swansea

About the walk

Been on this walk?

Send us photos or a comment about this route. Or recommend a route of your own.

Find out more

Walking in Safety

Read our tips to look after yourself and the environment when following this walk.

Learn more

Get an AA guide

Explore our range of ‘50 Walks in’ guides - they’re the ideal companion for a ramble.

Learn more

Been on this walk?

Send us photos or a comment about this route. Or recommend a route of your own.

Find out more

Walking in Safety

Read our tips to look after yourself and the environment when following this walk.

Learn more

Get an AA guide

Explore our range of ‘50 Walks in’ guides - they’re the ideal companion for a ramble.

Learn more

About the area

Swansea

Woodland at Oxwich Point

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Walking in Safety

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Woodland at Oxwich Point

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