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An aerial view of The Vile, a medieval strip field system below Rhosili village, Gower, Wales. In the foreground the rooftops of the houses of Rhossili village can be seen and the cliff edge and sea beyond can just be seen in the distance.
The Vile, a medieval strip field system below Rhosili village | © National Trust Images/John Miller
Wales

Circular walk around the Vile, Rhosili

Take your time on this circular walk by the Gower coast. The Vile is an example of medieval strip farming, restored to be full of wild flowers and pollinators. Wander its individually named fields and see how we're farming them in a wildlife-friendly way, with new hay meadows and traditional crops.

Total steps: 9

Total steps: 9

Start point

Rhosili National Trust car park, grid ref: SS414880

Step 1

From the car park, walk towards the bottom left-hand corner of the overflow field. Look out for a gateway marked Caer Ditch. Go through the gate and turn right, following the path alongside the hay meadow. You’ll also see an oak post with a green arrow marking the way. Continue on the path through Higher Castlepark, into another meadow, and walk along the path until you reach the gate onto the coast path.

A wooden gate in a fence between fields, with the sea in the distance
Look out for the gateway marked Caer Ditch | © National Trust

Step 2

Go through the gate, turn left onto the coast path and walk along the track, looking out for a gate on your left marked Limedland.

A wide wooden gate leads onto the coast path, with wide sea bay beyond, and a wooden post with green waymark in the foreground
Go through the gate onto the coast path, with views of Rhosili Bay | © National Trust

Step 3

Re-enter the Vile by going through the gate into Limedland and continue on the path, making your way into Linseedland, keeping an eye out for a gate on your left marked Withyland.

Step 4

Go through the gate into Withyland and turn right immediately, following the green arrow.

Step 5

Follow the green arrows through another gate, turning right onto a track (you’ll see the National Coastwatch Institution lookout station and Worms Head in the distance). Follow this track around to the left.

Step 6

When you come to a crossroads in the track, take the left track, so that you are looking up the track towards the houses in the village.

Step 7

Continue on the track until you see a gate on your right onto a more grassy track. Go through the gate and walk along the track.

A track bending round to the left, with a small wooden gate on the right. White houses are just visible above the green hedge lining the track.
Take the gate on your right, onto a more grassy track | © National Trust

Step 8

You’ll reach another gate on your left. Go through the gate and walk along the edge of the field.

A broad metal gate between two grassy fields, with a wooden stile to its right.
Go through the gate on your left | © National Trust

Step 9

Continue until you reach another gate and turn right onto the track again. After about 65yd (60m) you’ll reach another gate – continue until you reach the next gate to return to the car park.

End point

Rhosili National Trust car park, grid ref: SS414880

Trail map

Ordnance Survey map of the circular walk around the Vile, Rhosili
Map of the circular walk around the Vile, Rhosili | © Crown copyright and database rights 2013 Ordnance Survey

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