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Llanmadoc Hill and Tankey Lake Moor

Situated at the western end of the Gower Peninsula, located between the small settlements of Llanmadoc and Cheriton to the northeast, and Llangennith to the southwest.

An Iron Age hill fort called the Bulwark lies at the north-western end of the hill, owned and managed by the National Trust. The rest of the hill is owned by a group of local commoners who graze their livestock (sheep, cattle and ponies) here.

The bracken on Tankey Lake Moor is harvested to make a rich bracken-based compost called Gower Soil Conditioner, available from several local garden centres. All profits go towards ongoing management costs of Gower commons which predominantly involves the control of bracken that would otherwise swamp the internationally important heathland habitats that exist on many of the commons.

Highlights

There are great views from the top of the hill across Gower and the Loughor Estuary.

Birdlife on the hill, especially during the breeding season (March - June). The site is important for birds such as skylark, linnet, lapwing and curlew.

Designations

  • Site of Importance for Nature Conservation (SINC, Llanmadoc Hill)
  • Common land

Situated within:

  • Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB)
  • West Gower landscape which is included in the Register of Landscapes or Outstanding Historic Interest in Wales (CCW/CADW: Welsh Historic Monuments/ICOMOS UK 1998, 53-56)
  • One Scheduled Ancient Monument (SAM) - The Bulwark Iron Age Hillfort

Facilities

  • There are pubs at either end of the hill at Llanmadoc and Llangennith
  • There is a village shop/community post office at Llanmadoc

Access information

Grid Reference SS423923
OS Explorer Map 164 Gower

Footpaths

There are several rights of way across the site. The whole site is designated open access land.

Car

On road parking at Llangennith and Llanmadoc.

Buses

Buses run to Llangennith and Llanmadoc from where the hill can be accessed.

Bridleways

There are several bridlepaths across Llanmadoc Hill - refer to OS map.

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