Nicholaston, Gower, Swansea, Wales, SA3 2HL
Nicholaston Wood
Broadleaf woodland
Place photograph
6.0
Wildland
1–2 hours for the Nicholaston Woods Walk
Time
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Cost
Peaceful
Feel
Why it's Wildland
6.0A peaceful old woodland above Oxwich Bay, where a short, sometimes steep trail leads through spring flowers to broad coastal views.
Nicholaston Wood earns its place for the contrast between a peaceful old woodland, seasonal flowers and views over Oxwich Bay. Its signed 2.2-mile walk offers a rewarding woodland-and-coast experience without needing a full-day route.
Peaceful · Atmospheric
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Open mapNicholaston, Gower, Swansea, Wales, SA3 2HL
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The experience
Follow the moderate Nicholaston Woods Walk for a compact woodland outing with views across Oxwich Bay. For a longer excursion, connect with the Beach and Dunes Walk in Oxwich National Nature Reserve.
Things to do
Walk the Nicholaston Woods trail
Follow the moderate 2.2-mile (3.6 km) trail through peaceful old woodland. The path is narrow and steep in places, with uneven ground and steps on the steepest sections.
1–1½ hours
Look for spring woodland flowers
Natural Resources Wales describes the old woodland as carpeted with flowers in spring.
Take in the view over Oxwich Bay
Look for openings in the woodland that reveal views across Oxwich Bay; the source describes the trail as offering breathtaking bay views.
Join the Beach and Dunes Walk
Extend the outing on a moderate 2.1-mile (3.5 km) trail that follows part of the Wales Coast Path through sand dunes and returns along the sandy beach. Look for orchids and wildflowers in summer.
1½–2 hours
Make a day of it
Quick escape · 1–1½ hours
Quick Escape: Nicholaston Woods Walk
- 01
Start at the small layby at the entrance to Nicholaston Woods, or join the trail from the first part of the Beach and Dunes Walk.
- 02
Follow the 2.2-mile (3.6 km) moderate woodland trail, allowing for narrow, steep and uneven sections and steps.
- 03
Pause where the trees open for views of Oxwich Bay, then complete the walk.
Half day · Allow at least 3 hours; the two published trail times together total around 2½–3½ hours, before breaks.
Make a Half Day of It: Woodland, Dunes and Beach
- 01
Walk the Nicholaston Woods Walk, a moderate 2.2-mile (3.6 km) route taking 1–1½ hours.
- 02
Continue to the Beach and Dunes Walk in Oxwich National Nature Reserve, a moderate 2.1-mile (3.5 km) trail taking 1½–2 hours.
- 03
Take time to look for summer orchids and wildflowers along the dunes trail. It follows part of the Wales Coast Path and returns along the sandy beach.
Hidden details
A woodland walk with a coastal outlook — The Nicholaston Woods trail is not only a woodland circuit: Natural Resources Wales highlights views of Oxwich Bay from the old woodland.
When to go
April · May · June · July · August · Choose a time when you can walk the trail at a comfortable pace; the source does not specify a preferred time of day.
Spring is highlighted for flowers in the old woodland. Summer brings orchids and wildflowers on the connected Beach and Dunes Walk.
The woodland trail is narrow, steep in places and uneven, with steps on the steepest sections. Check conditions and access before setting out.
The route
- surface
- Narrow and uneven in places; steep sections include steps.
- distance
- 2.2 miles (3.6 km)
- duration
- 1–1½ hours
- difficulty
- Moderate
- start point
- Small layby at the entrance to Nicholaston Woods, or join from the first part of the Beach and Dunes Walk.
- parking start
- A small layby is identified as the woodland trail start. Check current parking arrangements before visiting.
- Peaceful old woodland
- Spring flowers
- Views over Oxwich Bay
Worth pairing with
Oxwich National Nature Reserve Beach and Dunes Walk
A published moderate 2.1-mile (3.5 km) trail through the dunes, following part of the Wales Coast Path and returning along the sandy beach; 1½–2 hours.
What to look for
Look for the spring flowers beneath the woodland canopy, then pause at openings in the trees for views across Oxwich Bay. On the connected Beach and Dunes Walk, look for orchids and wildflowers in summer.
Best time to go
Spring for the woodland flowers; summer for orchids and other wildflowers along the wider reserve’s trails.
Spring is the best-supported seasonal choice: Natural Resources Wales describes the woodland as carpeted with flowers then. The source also recommends looking for orchids and wildflowers in summer on the reserve’s beach-and-dunes trail.
How long to spend
1–2 hours for the Nicholaston Woods Walk; allow longer if combining it with the Beach and Dunes Walk.
Perfect for
Walkers · Photographers · Wildlife lovers
Before you go
Address
Website
Listed hours
- Monday: Open 24 hours
- Tuesday: Open 24 hours
- Wednesday: Open 24 hours
- Thursday: Open 24 hours
- Friday: Open 24 hours
- Saturday: Open 24 hours
- Sunday: Open 24 hours
Check before visiting.
Google rating
Practical information
Opening & access
Natural Resources Wales describes a moderate 2.2-mile (3.6 km) walk starting from a small layby at the wood entrance, or joining from the Beach and Dunes Walk. The path is narrow and steep in places, with uneven surfaces and steps. Check current access and parking arrangements before visiting.
Check before visiting
Parking
The woodland walk starts from a small layby at the entrance, or can be joined from the Beach and Dunes Walk. Check parking arrangements before travelling.
Check before visiting
Toilets
Check before visiting; the supplied source lists toilets for Oxwich National Nature Reserve, not specifically at the woodland entrance.
Check before visiting
Food & drink
Check before visiting.
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Dogs
Check before visiting for current local restrictions.
Check before visiting
Accessibility
The described woodland trail is moderate, narrow and steep in places, with uneven surfaces and steps on the steepest sections. It is not described as an accessible route.
Cost
Check before visiting
Check before visiting
Water
None documented within the woodland listing. The trail has views over Oxwich Bay; this does not establish permission for water activities.
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Place photographsKeep exploring
Around Nicholaston Wood
Within 50 km · approximate straight-line distances
