Llanrhidian to Cheriton A pleasant walk through the gentle countryside of north Gower using a section of the Gower Coast Path between Llanrhidian and Cheriton in Britain’s first designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, Gower. The Gower Coast Path between Crofty and Mumbles, has been developed by the City and County of Swansea with funding and assistance from the Welsh Government and the Countryside Gower Coast Walks Llanrhidian Tor-gro Council for Wales. It is a small part of the All Wales Long Walk Short Walk 1 Llanrhidian church was started in the 13th It is difficult to believe now, but 100 years Coast Path, which starts in Monmouthshire and Llanrhidian to Cheriton Start at Llanrhidian Church and follow the Follow the coast path from Llanrhidian century by the Knights Hospitallers of St John. ago most of this steep, thickly wooded, limestone ends in Flintshire! path through the churchyard and over the old church as described under Long Walk The village also contained two water mills: slope was given over to quarrying, mainly for the Reporting problems: This route follows public a woollen mill at Staffal Haegr and a corn stone stile. above. At Weobley Castle turn left (following production of lime for agricultural fertiliser. The paths, on which you have the legal right to walk. mill to the north of the village. the sign for Weobley Castle) and walk uphill lime was shipped out of Gower via the creeks that If you have any difficulties please report them to Follow the path to the track and turn left to alongside the ‘mountain boarding’ course. At bisect the marsh, some of which were canalised the Countryside Access Team. follow it towards Landimore. You are now Weobley Castle the gate turn right and follow the track to the to aid navigation. Distance: There are various options. The Long on the Gower Coast Path. Follow the Coast Weobley Castle is a picturesque medieval fortified road. Turn left again and walk along the road The remains of some of the many limekilns, Walk from Llanrhidian to Cheriton and back is Path through a number of fields to Weobley manor house. The castle dates principally from for 250 metres, then climb over an old stone in which the limestone was heated to make the 8 miles (13km). Two shorter circular walks are Castle. If you are continuing along the Coast the early 14th century when it was established by stile to your left. lime, are adjacent to the path at Landimore. It is available: Short Walk 1 between Llanrhidian Path you will reach the road at Landimore the de la Bere family, who had connections with and Weobley (3 miles or 5km), and Short Walk Weobley in Herefordshire. The castle is open now a Site of Special Scientific Interest. The rock village. Follow this path through the fields to Leason 2 between Llandimore and Cheriton (3 miles or here and along most of the walk is Carboniferous and walk along the track straight through the to the public for a small fee. 5km). Alternatively the coast path itself could be limestone containing abundant fossils and was Turn right and walk to the end of the road to hamlet, joining another path through fields. walked from Llanrhidian to Cheriton or vice versa Bovehill (Landimore Castle) deposited about 340 million years ago in a the gate onto the marsh, then follow the track Turn to the left off this path and walk downhill and the bus used to get back to the starting point. between the marsh and the woods Bovehill or Landimore Castle was a stone-built warm tropical sea. past the old limekilns and rejoin the Coast fortified manor house of the late 15th century Time: Total walk 3½ hours. Shorter walks 1½ to North Hills Tor. Path. Retrace your steps along the Coast hours. built by Sir Hugh Johnys, a distinguished soldier North Hill Tor Path back to Llanrhidian. WARNING: this track is occasionally and later official to the Duke of Norfolk. The castle The Tor is on private land with no public access. Terrain: The route passes through a gently covered by the tide. is not open to the public. undulating landscape. This limestone outcrop is a scheduled ancient The route of the Coast Path itself is fairly flat The path bears left here and turns inland monument, but the archaeological interest was and close to sea-level, but the surface underfoot following the Burry Pill (stream). Follow the somewhat reduced when the Tor was quarried is occasionally rough. A number of stiles will be stream for 300 metres then turn left and walk Short Walk 2 in earlier times. Mae’r cyhoeddiad hwn ar gael yn Gymraeg. found on the route and some areas will be slightly uphill towards North Hills Farm. Turn right Start at the car park in Landimore and follow Beneath the Tor the Coast Path has had to Information correct at time of going to print muddy. There is a very steep slope at Bovehill. through the gate and walk along the track to the Coast Path through the gate onto the be completely reconstructed due to erosion by 2019. Other leaflets in this series are available. Be prepared: Wear appropriate clothing and the road. marsh, then follow the track between the Burry Pill. This work was completed by Swansea Photography: Ceri Llewellyn / Matt Painton / Judith footwear for the conditions and season. marsh and the woods to North Hills Tor. Council in 2007 with funding from the Welsh Walk down the road past Glebe Farm and Oakley Photolibrary Wales / Wales On View. Assembly and was the largest individual project Safety: On rare occasions the path will be then, opposite the church, turn to the left WARNING: this track is occasionally required to create a continuous Coast Path DesignPrint Tel: 01792 586555 Ref. 45702-19 submerged for a short time beneath high off the road following the path to Stembridge covered by the tide. tides. Take care when following the short around Gower. along the valley and alongside Burry Pill. sections of road – there are no pavements. The path bears left here and turns inland Where the path joins the bridleway, cross Check the tides at www.visitswanseabay.com following the Burry Pill (stream). Follow the the bridleway, pass through the kissing gate stream for 300 metres then turn left and walk Refreshments: Pubs – Britannia Inn, Llanmadoc; and turn left, walking uphill along the edge of Useful Information uphill towards North Hills Farm. Turn right GOWER The Dolphin and the Welcome to Town, the field, then back onto the bridleway past Llanrhidian. through the gate and walk along the track to Countryside Access Team Kittlehill. On meeting the road, cross over Shops – the garage at Llanrhidian; community the road. Llanrhidian Marsh E-mail: [email protected] COAST WALKS shop, Llanmadoc. and go through a gate into a field. Cross the Llanrhidian marsh is common land and a Site of www.swansea.gov.uk/countrysideaccess field and join the track through Bovehill Farm Walk down the road past Glebe Farm and Special Scientific Interest. The marsh between Public toilets: Weobley Castle (entrance fee (noisy dogs) passing Bovehill Castle and then, opposite the church, turn to the left must be paid). Landimore and North Hills Tor is also a National Llanrhidian to Cheriton down the hill (very steep) back to the road off the road following the path to Stembridge Nature Reserve, managed by the Countryside Tourist Information: www.visitswanseabay.com for information OS map: Explorer 164 Gower. and Coast Path at Landimore. along the valley and alongside Burry Pill. Council for Wales and owned by the about where to stay, what to do and where to Where the path joins the bridleway, cross National Trust. Alternative routes: In addition to the promoted Retrace your steps along the Coast Path eat and drink. route, the map shows all of the public paths and the bridleway, pass through the kissing gate towards Llanrhidian. At Weobley Castle turn It was used as a firing range during WWII, but access land in the area – feel free to make up and turn left, walking uphill along the edge of right (following the sign for Weobley Castle) is now given over to more peaceful grazing Using public transport in Gower your own walks using these. the field, then back ontothe bridleway past sheep and ponies and further out in the Loughor and walk uphill alongside the ‘mountain For information on using public transport to Kittlehill. On meeting the road, cross over and estuary, a thriving cockling industry. boarding’ course. At the gate turn right and get to and around Gower go to the Baytrans go through a gate into a field. Cross the field follow the track to the road. Turn left again The whole area (including sections of the coast website www.baytrans.org.uk This walk follows a and join the track through Bovehill Farm and walk along the road for 250 metres, then path itself) is occasionally submerged beneath (noisy dogs) passing Bovehill Castle and high tides. The sheep must be herded to higher section of the Gower climb over an old stone stile to your left. Coast Path, which down the hill (very steep) back to the ground but, over many generations, the ponies Bus Information Follow this path through the fields to Leason road and Coast Path at Landimore. Turn left have adapted to the tides and calmly stand in Mon - Sat (No Sunday service to north Gower): is well marked with and walk along the track straight through the and return to the car park.