Freshwater West wildlife and wildflower walk
Put your walking boots on and follow our circular trail around Gupton Farm and Castlemartin Corse, the landscape behind Freshwater West beach. Along the way, see wildflowers flourishing and bird life on the wing.
Please note that dogs aren't allowed on these permissive paths to minimise disturbance to the wildlife and vegetation.
Map
Start:
Freshwater West car park, SA71 5AH
1
Park in the main car park at Freshwater West. With your back to the beach, turn left and head towards the toilets where you will see a map of the two routes around Gupton. It's at this point that you will pick up your first way marker (note that the two routes follow the same path initially).
2
Follow the path through the dunes, bearing right and entering the bridleway via the gate. Almost immediately turn left and leave the bridleway and enter the dune grassland restoration area.
3
Follow the fence line on your left until you come across a right hand arrow. Turn right and walk along the side of the dune (with the seasonally wet area to your left).
Flora and fauna
In the spring and summer, the dune grasslands are rich in wildflowers; look out for pyramidal orchid, common century and kidney vetch. In the winter, some dune hollows fill with water and are home to curlew and a wide variety of waterfowl and flocks of chough can be seen in the area.
4
In the distance you will see Starman's Hall, head straight for the gate (electric tape) in the far left hand corner of the field. A way marker is placed at the former field boundary to help you on your way.
5
Undo the electric fence tap using the plastic insulated handle and walk through to Starman's Hall track. To your left you will see a gate, walk through the pedestrian gate and turn right, following the fence line through the hay meadows.
6
Continue straight and enter the fen meadows, follow the path through the next two gateways. Look at and listen out for a wide variety of birds, including some unusual winter visitors!
7
After the third gateway you will see a track to your right walk through the gate and head up the hill until you reach a Bristol gate (field gate with built in pedestrian gate).
8
Continue through the gate and turn right at the top of the track. Follow the track passing the farmstead on your left and continue past the first track on your right (Starman's Hall track).
9
Continue until you get to a junction and turn right down the bridleway. Walk down the hill until you reach your original starting point.
End:
Freshwater West car park, SA71 5AH
