Afan Forest Park – Visitor Centre, near Port Talbot
Main starting point for mountain bike and walking...
Mill Wood, near Swansea
What's here
We may close our car parks and other visitor facilities at short notice whilst we undertake recovery operations due to recent storm damage. You should always follow any instructions given by signs or local staff including any trail diversions or closures, and beware of the danger of falling trees or branches.
Welcome
Mill Wood is on Gower, just 12 miles from Swansea.
Originally part of the nearby Penrice Estate, this ancient woodland still has remnants of late 18th century landscaping and tree planting.
It is also home to the ruins of a watermill and fishponds which once supplied the kitchens of Penrice Castle.
The Forestry Commission bought the woodland in 1956 and introduced trees such as western hemlock, Norway spruce, silver fir and beech.
We are gradually removing the non-native conifer trees and returning Mill Wood to native broadleaf woodland.
In spring look out for bluebells, ramsons, red campion, cow parsley, marsh marigold, meadow sweet and male fern. There is also an area of wild daffodils.
Visiting Mill Wood
Go through the gate from the parking area to the welcome panel with map and information about what to see.
The map shows the route for a level circular walk (¾ mile/1.1 kilometres) through the woodland and past the ruins of the mill and the former fishponds.
There is an information panel by the mill ruins.
The route follows a wide forest road and a narrow path alongside the stream which can be slippery and muddy.
There are two benches along the way.
You can also explore the rest of the woodland along the tracks and paths.
Horse riding
You need a permit to horse ride in Mill Wood.
Visiting safely
We want you to return home safely after your visit here.
You are responsible for your own safety as well as the safety of any children and animals with you during your visit.
For advice and tips to help you plan your visit here go to Visiting our places safely.
Changes to visitor facilities
See the top of this webpage for details of any planned closures or other changes to visitor facilities here.
For your safety, always follow instructions from staff and signs including those for trail diversions or closures.
We may divert or close trails whilst we undertake maintenance work or other operations and we may need to close other visitor facilities temporarily.
In extreme weather, we may close facilities at short notice due to the risk of injury to visitors and staff.
Organising an event on our land
You may need permission from us to organise an event or to carry out some activities on our land.
Check if you are allowed to use our land.
How to get here
We recommend you follow these directions or use the Google map below which has a pin on this place’s location.
Mill Wood is 12 miles west of Swansea.
Take the A4118 from Swansea towards Gower and Port Enyon.
Continue through Penmaen and Nicholaston, passing the ruins and then turning left by the farm, signposted to Penrice.
Continue along this minor, single-track road for ½ mile and the parking area is on the right.
The Ordnance Survey (OS) grid reference for the parking area is SS 493 882 (Explorer Map 164).
The postcode is SA3 1LN. Please note that this postcode covers a wide area and will not take you directly to the entrance.
View this place on the What3Words website.
Public transport
The nearest mainline railway station is in Gowerton.
For details of public transport go to the Traveline Cymru website.
Parking
The parking area is on the roadside, next to the woodland entrance.
Parking is free of charge.
Overnight parking is not permitted.
Contact details
There are no staff at this location.
Contact our customer team for general enquiries during office hours, Monday to Friday.
Other places in South West Wales
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