The village of Parkmill is popular as the gateway to the gentle stroll to Three Cliffs bay and, of course, as home to the Gower Heritage Centre. It’s also a fantastic jumping off point for a number of other great walks and we’ve included three in the programme for this year’s Gower Walking Festival.
The 6-mile Vestiges of Gower history: Green Cwm, Penmaen, Three Cliffs walk on Tuesday 8th September explores a remarkable cross-section of Gower’s history, landscape, and archaeology. Combining woodland paths, coastal scenery, and deep history, it will highlight Gower as a living record of human activity and natural change including the remnants of a Medieval deer park and early defensive structures, including a hill fort and castle. Led by Professor Richard Daugherty OBE it will also feature Gower Walking Festival official poet Jim Young, who will read poetry he has written about points of interest on the walk.
On Wednesday 9th September, the 3-mile, circular Three Cliffs Bay, Pennard Castle and Gower Heritage Centre walk explores the rich history, landscape, and natural beauty of Three Cliffs Valley, shaped by medieval power, agriculture, and coastal forces. Led by Roy Church, owner of the Heritage Centre, the walk highlights the legacy of the influential de Breos family, Norman lords, including the historic mill at the Heritage Centre site and the Pennard Castle.
Also on the 9th September, the Parkmill & Ilston walk will take you on a circular route from The Gower Inn in Parkmill you through contrasting Gower landscapes of wooded valley, the historic church in Ilston, onto Fairwood Common land, and open plateau near Swansea Airport. Walk leaders, Caroline Greggand Phil Marshall, work with Swansea Council’s Gower National Landscape Countryside Access Team.
In addition, on Thursday 10th September, the Three Cliffs & Cefn Bryn Panorama Circuit actually starts in Southgate but passes through Parkmill on the return leg before heading back for well deserved refreshments the Three Cliffs Coffee Shop at the end. It is a spectacular 8 mile walk walk linking some of the most iconic landscapes on the Gower Peninsula, combining dramatic coastline, ancient woodland, sweeping uplands,and panoramic ridge-top views. The walk will be led by Sarah Samuel, secretary of The Gower Society.
You can find more details of these and all of the Festival walks and buy tickets here.
