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.
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.
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.
Step 8
You’ll reach another gate on your left. Go through the gate and walk along the edge of the field.
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
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