Bishop’s wood nature Reserve The nature reserve lies in a narrow steep-sided, dry limestone valley running north south from Murton to Caswell beach. It is made up of 46 acres (19 hectares) of woodland and limestone grassland and has been designated an SSSI, (Site of Special Scientific Interest) and SAC, (Special Area of Conservation), because of its rich biodiversity. The reserve is managed by the City and County of Swansea’s Nature Conservation Team to conserve and enhance wildlife diversity and to provide access and information to visitors and local schools. There are three main footpaths running through the valley, which we have marked as three nature trails on the main map. These are the Acorn trail, Oak leaf trail and the Beech leaf trail. The nature trails take you through a variety of habitats, which support many forms of wildlife.
acorn trail: Length: Terrain:
450 metres Easy, flat all ability path.
Starts from the top of Caswell car park and ends at the roundhouse at the top of the valley. 1 Along the whole length of this path, there is open grassland, along the valley floor. In summer you can see many species of butterfly, and meadow flowers, such as Meadowsweet, Selfheal, Hogweed and Woundwort. Round House 6
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Acorn Trail: Length: 450 m Terrain: Easy, flat, all ability path.
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Beech Leaf Trail: Length: 1.2 km Terrain: Steep steps, narrow, uneven path.
Pony Route
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Adder
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3 There are many badger runs leading to the fields above, these look like little footpaths. If you are lucky you may see footprints in the soft mud or hairs stuck to the fence. Badgers usually have a territory range of 30 hectares in a rich habitat.
5 Grave stones or boundary markers? One has a P and the other FAM. They are simply boundary markers, the P is for Penrice, a large estate on the Gower and FAM is Frank Arthur Morgan who owned part of Bishops Wood. 6 The path takes you down wooden steps under huge Beech trees, Green woodpeckers are often heard here. At the bottom of the steps turn right and you will see the roundhouse. (see Acorn trail)
The Roundhouse
To get back to where you started, follow the Acorn trail down the main valley floor.
1.2 km Steep steps, narrow uneven path.
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See if you can spot common lizards, slow worms and adders basking in the sun.
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Entering Oak woodland, the trees are stunted and pruned by the strong salt winds. Acidic clay soils support flowers such as Cow wheat and Butchers broom.
N Old Quary
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4 Hugging trees; a Hawthorn (smaller one) and an Ash entwined together. You may see black blobs on the Ash branches, these are a fungus called King Alfred’s cakes.
Length: Terrain:
2 At the top of the step, turn left and the path takes you to an open grassy cliff top. Enjoy spectacular views over Caswell Bay. The limestone soil supports a diverse range of flowers, such as thyme, rockrose and stonecrop.
Picnic Area
2 Beautiful viewpoint overlooking Caswell Bay, and on a good day, Devon.
Beech Leaf trail:
Graddfa: 200 metr
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1 Start at the picnic benches at the top of Caswell car park, the path leads into ancient woodland up steep stone steps.
Scale: 200 metre
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1 km Steep steps, uneven narrow path
5 The roundhouse was built in 2002 using local green timber. It took 52 oak trees and 36 tonnes of earth to make and is used as an outdoor classroom and as a shelter for local community groups.
1 Starts and finishes at a wooden style opposite the Countryside Centre. The style leads you to wooden steps which take you through Gorse, Heather, small trees and shrubs.
Footpath 5
Wood anemone
4 Ravages of Dutch elm disease, lots of dead wood, important for bats, insects and woodpeckers. This part of the woodland is rich in bird life, spot shy Jays, blue tits and other song birds.
Oak Leaf Trail: Length: 1 km Terrain: Steep steps, narrow, uneven path.
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3 A beautiful sculpture called Nanci, carved from oak using a chainsaw by an artist called Nanci Hemming.
MAP KEY
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oak Leaf trail: Length: Terrain:
2 The woodland to the west has many species that indicate ancient woodland such as Bluebell, Dog’s mercury, Wood anemone, Wood sorrel and the rare Herb paris.
To Bishopston Road Caswell
To Swansea
5 The wooden chalets, dating from the1920’s are part of Owen’s Field, a small local community. 6 The path starts to lead you downhill into the Beech glade. Beech trees cast a heavy shade preventing anything growing underneath. Grey squirrels, Nuthatches, Tree creepers and Woodpeckers are commonly seen here. 7 Downhill through two gates to the roundhouse, the path follows the acorn trail to the car park, then the road back to the countryside centre. Wildlife Illustrations by: M. Hill