SwanseaCAM - 210401 Swansea Penmaen and Pennard Valley

ARCHIVE PHOTOGRAPHS.
Saturday 21st April 2001.
Swansea....Penmaen and Pennard Valley..

Weather: Mainly overcast. Temp: 12C

Image produced from the Ordnance Survey Get-a-map service. Image reproduced with kind
permission of Ordnance Survey and Ordnance Survey of Northern Ireland

Starting at the car park at Penmaen, we are going to walk along the road to Penmaen Church, down the old road to the top of Pennard Valley and then follow the Pennard Pill to the sea.

Although the early morning traffic is fairly light it is good to get off the main road and into the narrow lanes and pathways. Before we leave the main road we must take a look at Penmaen Church. Dedicated to St John the Baptist, it was built to replace an earlier church which had been overwhelmed by sand in the 14th century.

We cross the road and enter the lane which leads down to the valley. .

Along the way Spring flowers add a splash of colour to brighten up the hedgerows.

Primroses and celandines push their way through the fresh green Spring foliage of the hedge and on the right, ferns are almost ready to unfurl.

The notice on the gatepost informs us that the foot and mouth restrictions in this area are lifted and access to the valley and beach is permitted. We follow the path through a mass of wild garlic (Ramsons) to the west bank of the Pennard Pill.

On the other side, trees are wearing their new leaves and wild garlic spills over the bank almost to the water..

Through the trees, we get our first sight of Pennard Castle.

The stream follows a wandering winding course down the valley to the sea. We look back for a moment .....

.....before resuming our walk along the bank of the stream. On our right we see the high sandhills which enclose the valley.

It is surprising, in view of the foot and mouth epidemic to see cattle in an unrestricted area.

Perched high above the valley floor are the ruined walls of the castle. It was built by the Normans in the 13th century .

There are about a dozen or so ponies grazing alongside the stream. Steps, set in the loose sandy surface of the hillside, lead up from the valley to the castle

This is where we cross over the Pennard Pill to the beach. Fortunately for us, the tide is out and the stepping stones are uncovered.

Here on the beach where the Pennard Pill reaches the sea we end our walk. Hope you enjoyed the pics.