Southgate, Hunts Bay and Pwll Du circular walk
The coastline along this stretch of the South Gower coast is particularly important for the plants that flourish in the limestone grassland. One flower to look out for in particular is yellow whitlow grass, which only grows here.
Map
Start:
Southgate car park, grid ref: SS554874
1
Start with the National Trust car park hut on your right and walk along the track for about a mile (1.6km). On a clear day there are spectacular views across the Bristol Channel to Somerset and Devon.
Limestone Grassland
The coastline along this stretch of the South Gower coast is particularly important for the plants that flourish in the limestone grassland. One flower to look out for in particular is yellow whitlow grass; this is the only place it grows in the UK.
2
When you reach Hunts Farm fork right onto the coast path, signed Pwll Du Head, which will go up some steps with a wall on your left.
Hunts Bay, South Gower
Hunts Bay has large rock formations and shingle but used to be covered in sand.
3
When you pass a small pond on your left look for the path which bears right and go uphill with a fence on the left. When you reach the top, look out for the banks and ditches - all that remain of an Iron Age promontory fort.
4
High Pennard is one of a series of Iron Age promontory forts irregularly spaced along the South Gower coast. Pottery dating to the first or second century AD has been found here.
5
Continue along the coast path, following the route through the gorse and around the headland.
Pwll du Bay
The sheltered bay was once a favoured location for smugglers, as they'd quickly disappear up into the wooded valley and out of site. The bay was also a limestone quarry until 1902, exporting limestone to north Devon.
6
You are now standing above a cliff known as Graves End, so named as it's near the spot where the ship the 'Caesar' was wrecked in 1760. The 'Caesar' was a Naval vessel charged with 'press ganging' unfortunate and unsuspecting individuals into recruiting as part of the Royal Navy. When the Caesar went down, the majority of its unwilling crew were locked below deck and perished on the rocks. They were buried in a mass grave at Graves End.
End:
Southgate car park, grid ref: SS554874