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Llanmadoc - Cwm Ivy - Cheriton Walk

6.8 miles (11 km)

Ordnance Survey Map Open Streetmap This walk from the village of Llanmadoc visits Cwm Ivy, Llanmadoc Hill and the neighbouring village of Cheriton. There's much to enjoy on the route with beaches, saltmarsh and wonderful views from the high points.
The walk starts from the Cwm Ivy car park in Llanmadoc. From here you can pick up footpaths heading around the site which includes saltmarsh and a wide variety of birdlife.
After exploring the site you continue south west to climb Llanmadoc Hill. The hill stands at a height of 186 m (610 ft) offering wonderful views over the Gower Peninsula, Rhossili Bay, Carmarthen Bay and the Loughor estuary. There's also a series of prehistoric cairns adorning the hill’s broad summit ridge.
After enjoy the views you descend to the village of Cheriton where there's a notable 14th century church. From the village it is a short stroll north to North Hill Tor where you can enjoy views over Landimore Marsh. The route then follows country lanes back to Llanmadoc.

Postcode

SA3 1DJ - Please note: Postcode may be approximate for some rural locations

Llanmadoc OS Map Ordnance survey map - Mobile GPS OS Map with Location tracking

Llanmadoc Open Street Map Open Streetmap - Mobile GPS Map with Location tracking

Pubs/Cafes

In the village you could head to the Britannia Inn for some post walk refreshments. The noteworthy pub is a well preserved late 17th Century Inn. The beams in the lounge of the inn are reputed to be from shipwrecks which were “lanterned” ashore by wreckers for their valuable cargo. The pub still has its original fireplace and bread oven. In addition in parts of the pub one can still see the original gas lamps.
It's also great in the summer months with good sized beer gardens surrounding the place. To the rear you can enjoy superb views of the Loughor Estuary and for the children there is a menagerie of small animals such as rabbits, and budgies.  

Further Information and Other Local Ideas

To continue your walking in the area head to the lovely Whiteford Sands. The nature reserve includes woodland, sand dunes with lots of wading birds to look out for.
Head south and you can visit neighbouring Llangennith where you can enjoy trails through the beautiful sand dunes of Llangennith Burrows and fine views of Burry Holmes island.
Also nearby is the climb to the ridge at Cefn Bryn where more wonderful views can be enjoyed.
Just to the east is the Llanrhidian Walk which takes you to the ruins of the 14th century Weobley Castle. The photogenic ruins are in a fine location overlooking the saltmarsh and Loughor estuary.
For more walking ideas in the area see the Gower Walks page.

Photos

Llanmadoc - geograph.org.uk - 868594

North Hill Tor from the footpath to Whiteford Burrows.

Llanmadoc Churchyard - geograph.org.uk - 1417256

Llanmadoc Churchyard. Atmospheric setting by an ancient church with views all around. In the distance here are Cwm Ivy Tor and the Loughor Estuary.

Cwm Ivy - geograph.org.uk - 384366

Cwm Ivy Sand dune erosion at the south-western point of Whiteford National Nature Reserve, with the slope of Cwm Ivy Tor to the right.

Llanmadoc - geograph.org.uk - 868601

Cwm Ivy Tor from the footpath to Whiteford Burrows.

Welsh Lamb at Cwm Ivy - geograph.org.uk - 1418510

Welsh Lamb at Cwm Ivy. Sheep grazing is a common sight on the local freshwater and salt marshes and on the grassy limestone hill areas.

Cwm Ivy Tor - geograph.org.uk - 386311

View towards the village of Llanmadoc and Llanmadoc Hill, with a boundary wall on Cwm Ivy Tor.

Llanmadoc Hill Cairns - geograph.org.uk - 285999

Llanmadoc Hill Cairns. One of the group of three distinctive cairns on top of the LLanmadoc Hill ridge. Fantastic views across Burry Inlet to 'mainland' Wales

Cheriton Church, Nr Llanmadoc - geograph.org.uk - 301341

Cheriton Church. A small squat church, built in the 14th c. by the English.

Video

GPS Files

GPX File

Llanmadoc.gpx (On Desktop:Right Click>Save As. On Ipad/Iphone:Click and hold>Download Linked File)

Memory Map Route

Llanmadoc.mmo (On Desktop:Right Click>Save As. On Ipad/Iphone:Click and hold >Download Linked File)