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Oystermouth Cemetery and Castle, including Peel Wood

This area encompasses Peel Wood, the cemetery including woodland burial site and the castle grounds.

This is a very pleasant and varied green area, with fabulous views over Swansea Bay, between the urban areas of Norton and Oystermouth, all of which is publicly accessible.

Peel Wood, a The Wildlife Trust of South and West Wales (opens new window) reserve, is broadleaved woodland within a disused limestone quarry. Peel Wood occupies the site of the former Callencroft quarry. The woodland canopy is dominated by sycamore, with ash and oak as a lesser component.

The cemetery dates back to 1883 when the first ever burial took place; the old memorials, monuments and statues represent a signified period of local history. The cemetery was extended in the 1930s which saw the introduction of a more modern lawn type section, with beautiful views over the bay of Mumbles. This setting was the most appropriate for the occasion when the crew of a Mumbles lifeboat lost their lives and were all buried in this part of the cemetery looking out to sea.

The whole site is important for wildlife such as badgers and bat species; birds such as green woodpecker, dunnock, song thrush (part of the Biodiversity Action Plan), greenfinch, goldfinch and bullfinch; amphibians such as common frog and common toad and reptiles such as slow worm.

The Mumbles Way, developed by the Mumbles Development Trust, runs through Peel Wood, the cemetery and castle grounds, linking the whole site.

Designations

  • Site of Importance for Nature Conservation (SINC 8)
  • Peel Wood is covered by a Tree Preservation Order (TPO)

Facilities

  • Car park at the cemetery (off Newton Road, Mumbles)
  • Car parking (time restricted) by Oystermouth Castle
  • Variety of shops, cafés and restaurants on Newton Road in Mumbles

Access information

Oystermouth, Mumbles
Grid Reference SS610882
OS Explorer Map 165 Swansea

The site can be accessed from various points. The main entrance to the cemetery and Peel wood is off Newton Road in Oystermouth/Mumbles, opposite Underhill Park.

Footpaths

There is wheelchair and pushchair access on surfaced paths/access roads around the cemetery and the castle, however, the access road to the cemetery is very steep.

Buses

The nearest bus stop to the cemetery/Peel Wood is at the junction of Newton and Langland Roads, approximately ¼ mile from the entrance. For the castle there is a bus stop near Castle Lane.

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