Mill Wood, near Swansea

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Welcome

Mill Wood is on Gower, just 12 miles from Swansea.

Originally part of the nearby Penrice Estate, this ancient woodland still has remnants of late 18th century landscaping and tree planting.

It is also home to the ruins of a watermill and fishponds which once supplied the kitchens of Penrice Castle.

The Forestry Commission bought the woodland in 1956 and introduced trees such as western hemlock, Norway spruce, silver fir and beech.

We are gradually removing the non-native conifer trees and returning Mill Wood to native broadleaf woodland.

In spring look out for bluebells, ramsons, red campion, cow parsley, marsh marigold, meadow sweet and male fern. There is also an area of wild da­ffodils.

Visiting Mill Wood

Go through the gate from the parking area to the welcome panel with map and information about what to see.

The map shows the route for a level circular walk (¾ mile/1.1 kilometres) through the woodland and past the ruins of the mill and the former fishponds.

There is an information panel by the mill ruins.

The route follows a wide forest road and a narrow path alongside the stream which can be slippery and muddy.

There are two benches along the way.

You can also explore the rest of the woodland along the tracks and paths.

Horse riding

You need a permit to horse ride in Mill Wood.

Visiting safely

We want you to return home safely after your visit here.

You are responsible for your own safety as well as the safety of any children and animals with you during your visit.

For advice and tips to help you plan your visit here go to Visiting our places safely.

Changes to visitor facilities

See the top of this webpage for details of any planned closures or other changes to visitor facilities here.

For your safety, always follow instructions from staff and signs including those for trail diversions or closures.

We may divert or close trails whilst we undertake maintenance work or other operations and we may need to close other visitor facilities temporarily.

In extreme weather, we may close facilities at short notice due to the risk of injury to visitors and staff.

Organising an event on our land

You may need permission from us to organise an event or to carry out some activities on our land.

Check if you are allowed to use our land.

How to get here

Mill Wood is 12 miles west of Swansea.

Postcode

The postcode is SA3 1LN.

Please note that this postcode may not take you to the parking area if you use a sat nav or navigation app.

We suggest you follow the directions below or use the Google map on this page which has a pin on the location of the car park.

Directions

Take the A4118 from Swansea towards Gower and Port Enyon.

Continue through Penmaen and Nicholaston, passing the ruins and then turning left by the farm, signposted to Penrice.

Continue along this minor, single-track road for ½ mile and the parking area is on the right.

What3Words

View this place on the What3Words website.

Ordnance Survey

The Ordnance Survey (OS) grid reference for the parking area is SS 493 882 (Explorer Map 164).

Public transport

The nearest mainline railway station is in Gowerton.

For details of public transport go to the Traveline Cymru website.

Parking

The parking area is on the roadside, next to the woodland entrance.

Parking is free of charge.

Overnight parking is not permitted.

Contact details

There are no staff at this location.

Contact our customer team for general enquiries during office hours, Monday to Friday.

Other places in South West Wales

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