Gelli-Hir Wood, Fairwood Common, Gower, Swansea

Mallard and chicks swimming

Mallard Anas platyrhynchos An adult female keeps her ducklings close. Andrew Parkinson/2020VISION

Gelli-Hir Wood, Fairwood Common, Gower, Swansea

Mixed broadleaved and wet woodland, partly ancient, and pond. The woodland is covered by a Tree Preservation Order.

Location

Fairwood Common.

OS Map Reference

Grid References O.S. Explorer map 164 Gower. Main entrance: SS562924, Site centre: SS562925.

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A static map of Gelli-Hir Wood, Fairwood Common, Gower, Swansea

Know before you go

Size
28 hectares
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Entry fee

Free
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Parking information

There is a small car park inside the gate, and a lay-by opposite.
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Access

The wood lies on the northern edge of Fairwood Common. Access is gained by way of a field gate and stile on the east side of the unclassified road, which runs north from the B4271 to Cil-onen. There is a small car park inside the gate, and a lay-by opposite. Wheelchair access to central ride.

Public transport:
Services 21 or 119 from Swansea Quadrant Bus Station to Three Crosses, then walk along Cilonen Road or Fairwood Common.

Dogs

image/svg+xmlOn a lead

When to visit

Opening times

Open access reserve.

Best time to visit

Spring, summer and autumn.

About the reserve

Gelli-hir is situated on deep glacial drift over Carboniferous grits and shales. The reserve grades from wet Oak/Birch/Willow woodland in the south and east to drier Ash, Sweet Chestnut, Sycamore and Beech woodland in the north and west, with Alder along the Ilston brook. There is an understorey of Hazel coppice with stands of Holly in places. The variety of habitat types also include open rides, streams and a pond.

Fallen timber, stumps, and rot holes support an abundance of lower plants, fungi, and invertebrates, including some nationally scarce hoverflies.

There is a large and varied population of breeding birds including Buzzard, Tawny Owl, and Sparrowhawk in the woodland, and Mallard and Moorhen around the pond, with the occasional Green Sandpiper passing through, as well as insects, such as Blue-tailed Damselfly and Common Darter.

Moths and butterflies are well represented, including species such as Comma, Holly Blue, Silver-washed Fritillary and Speckled wood. The wood harbours a population of Dormouse.