Cwm Ivy Woods and Betty Church Reserve, Cwm Ivy, Gower, Swansea

Bluebells

Mike Snelle

Cwm Ivy Woods and Betty Church Reserve, Cwm Ivy, Gower, Swansea

Ancient broadleaved woodland, plantation, calcareous pasture and quarry. A small part of the leasehold land is notified SSSI, being part of the Cwm Ivy Marsh, Dunes, and Tor SSSI.

Location

Cwm Ivy.

OS Map Reference

Grid References O.S. Explorer map 164 Gower. Main entrance: SS438937, Site centre: SS442937.
A static map of Cwm Ivy Woods and Betty Church Reserve, Cwm Ivy, Gower, Swansea

Know before you go

Size
13 hectares
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Entry fee

Free
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Parking information

Parking in the village of Llanmadoc.

Access

Location and Access Notes
0.25 km east of the hamlet of Cwm Ivy. Access to both parts of the reserve can be obtained from the public footpath which runs between Cheriton and Cwm Ivy, along the base of the scarp.

Public transport
Bus service 116 from Swansea Quadrant Bus Station to Llanmadoc.

Dogs

On a lead

When to visit

Opening times

Open access reserve.

Best time to visit

Spring, summer and autumn.

About the reserve

Cwm Ivy Woods and Betty Church reserve is situated on the western extremity of the north Gower limestone escarpment. The reserve is in two parts; a section of woodland and pasture, separated by a private woodland and house, from a small limestone quarry. The two sections of the reserve are linked by the public footpath.

The larger part of the reserve is a fine example of Ash wood with some Oak, Sycamore and planted Beech. Plants such as Bluebell, Dog’s Mercury, Early Purple Orchid and Wood Avens are abundant. Limestone outcrops and fallen timber provide habitats for ferns and bryophytes.

The Betty Church bequest consists of three fields, the largest of which is maintained as grassland with wide hedges, and where planted Snowdrops and Daffodils flourish in spring, and Oxeye Daisy, Black Knapweed and Crosswort can be seen in summer. This field also provides good views of Cwm Ivy Marsh and the Whiteford NNR in winter. The two smaller fields have been planted with deciduous native trees such as Ash, Field Maple and Hazel to provide an extension to Cwm Ivy Woods and as additional cover for birds.

The old limestone quarry displays an advanced stage of colonisation. Its open grazed floor supports an interesting sward of lime-loving plants, such as Milkwort and Wild Thyme.