Afan Forest Park – Visitor Centre, near Port Talbot
Main starting point for mountain bike and walking...
Park Wood, near Swansea
What's here
Welcome
Park Wood is on Gower, just nine miles from Swansea, and was once a medieval deer park of the de Breos, Lords of Gower.
It has several nationally important archaeological sites including a Neolithic burial chamber, caves and lime kilns.
Park Wood is made up of majestic oak, ash and conifer trees and has some of the oldest plantations in South Wales (the oak, ash and sycamore were planted in 1851).
The woodland is home to buzzards, woodpeckers, nuthatch, lesser and greater horseshoe bats and a wealth of other wildlife.
Visiting Park Wood
There is a welcome panel in the car park with a map and information about what to see.
Follow the wide gravelled forest road to reach the archaeological features – each one has an information panel nearby including:
- Long Cairn where archaeologists have discovered the remains of up to 40 men, women and children.
- Cathole Cave, a natural feature in the limestone with an entrance over 15 metres high.
- The lime kiln which was built in the mid 19th century to produce lime for improving the land and for use in mortar.
The picnic area is at the car park entrance and there is a bench along the forest road.
The network of footpaths leads through the woodland and further afield if you would like a longer walk.
Gower Way
The Gower Way goes through Park Wood – look out for the waymarkers.
This long distance route runs 35 miles (56 kilometres) from Rhossili at the extreme south-west of the Gower Peninsula, through to Penlle'r Castell in upland Mawr.
For more information go to the Long Distance Walkers Association website.
Gower Heritage Centre
The Gower Heritage Centre is located on the A4118, ½ mile from Park Wood.
This rural life museum is based around a working 12th century watermill and has a tea room.
For more information go to the Gower Heritage Centre website.
Visiting safely
We want you to return home safely after your visit here.
You are responsible for your own safety as well as the safety of any children and animals with you during your visit.
For advice and tips to help you plan your visit here go to Visiting our places safely.
Horse riding
You need a permit to horse ride in Park Wood.
Changes to visitor facilities
See the top of this webpage for details of any planned closures or other changes to visitor facilities here.
For your safety, always follow instructions from staff and signs including those for trail diversions or closures.
We may divert or close trails whilst we undertake maintenance work or other operations and we may need to close other visitor facilities temporarily.
In extreme weather, we may close facilities at short notice due to the risk of injury to visitors and staff.
How to get here
Location
Park Wood is 9 miles west of Swansea.
It is in the county of Swansea.
Directions
Take the A4118 from Swansea towards Gower and Port Enyon.
Go through the village of Parkmill and after ⅓ mile turn right, following the brown and white signs to Parc Le Breos.
Continue along this minor road for ½ mile and the car park is on the left.
Ordnance Survey map
Park Wood is on Ordnance Survey (OS) map 164.
The OS grid reference is SS 538 896.
Public transport
The nearest mainline railway station is in Gowerton.
For details of public transport visit the Traveline Cymru website.
Parking
Car parking is free of charge.
Overnight parking is not permitted.
Contact details
There are no staff at this location.
Contact our customer team for general enquiries during office hours, Monday to Friday.
Other places in South West Wales
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