Llanrhidian Hill, Llanrhidian, Gower, Swansea

Marbled white butterfly

Marbled white butterfly

Llanrhidian Hill, Llanrhidian, Gower, Swansea

Limestone grassland, scrub, and quarries. The site is registered common land, and has been declared open public access. The site is registered common land, and has been declared open public access.

Location

Llanrhidian.

OS Map Reference

Grid References O.S. Explorer map 164 Gower. Main entrance: SS496921, Site centre: SS495922.
A static map of Llanrhidian Hill, Llanrhidian, Gower, Swansea

Know before you go

Size
3 hectares
z

Entry fee

Free

Access

Adjacent to Llanrhidian village, on the west side behind the church. Main access from opposite the village / church hall. Not accessible to wheelchairs.

Bus numbers 115, 116 and 119 from Swansea Quadrant Bus Station.

Dogs

On a lead

When to visit

Opening times

Open access reserve.

Best time to visit

Spring and summer.

About the reserve

Much of the site occupies a steep north-facing slope on Carboniferous limestone, giving fine views overlooking the Burry Estuary.

It is composed mainly of species-rich limestone grassland with Common Rock-rose, Wild Thyme and Milkwort abundant, with patches of Elder, Hawthorn and Ash scrub which grades into mature Ash woodland to the west. At the eastern end there are two limestone quarry sites with the remains of a limestone kiln by the southern entrance. The smaller quarry is scrub-filled.

The larger quarry is shallow with a grassland-covered floor, its rocky sides supporting a slightly different assemblage of lime-loving plants.

This is a site to see the locally rare Marble White butterfly.