Bolgoed Quarry, Pontarddulais, Swansea

Chiffchaff on branch

Janet Packham

Bolgoed Quarry, Pontarddulais, Swansea

Bolgoed is an old sandstone quarry, last worked in 1955.

Location

Pontarddulais.

OS Map Reference

Grid References O.S. Explorer map 164 Gower. Site centre: SN603027
A static map of Bolgoed Quarry, Pontarddulais, Swansea

Know before you go

Size
1 hectare
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Entry fee

Free
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Access

Location and Access Notes
Lies on the north side of the A480 between Pontlliw and Pontarddulais. A lay by provides convenient parking. Not accessible to wheelchairs.

Public transport
Bus numbers X13 and X14 from Swansea Kingsway Post Office to Bolgoed Road.

Dogs

image/svg+xmlOn a lead

When to visit

Opening times

Open access reserve.

Best time to visit

Spring, summer and autumn.

About the reserve

The habitat consists of open-canopied mixed secondary deciduous woodland of Ash and Birch with a ground layer dominated by Ivy and Bramble. The remainder is dominated by dense Gorse scrub.

The ground flora includes Lesser Celandine, Wood Anemone, and Bluebell. The major quarry faces are irrigated by groundwater seeping out from the sandstone strata, and provide a habitat for a number of relatively common bryophytes.

The reserve encourages a range of woodland birds such as Chiffchaff, Great Tit, Tawny Owl, Nuthatch and Treecreeper, and the damp nature of the quarry floor makes it an ideal winter roost and feeding site for up to ten Woodcock at a time, during winter cold weather.