Читать книгу Walking on the Gower. 30 walks exploring the AONB peninsula in South Wales онлайн

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The Welsh fought back at least six times between 1113 and 1217 by burning the turf and timber castles, but they failed to take control of the peninsula. The strong stone castles still standing today at Oxwich, Penrice and Pennard were built at the end of the 13th century, and many village churches also date from this period. The castles were subsequently attacked and damaged by Owain Glyn Dwr’s revolt between 1400 and 1413. Other evidence from the medieval period comes from the remains of strip field systems that can still be identified in parts of South Gower, the best example being the Viel at Rhossili.

Many farmhouses and associated out-buildings survive from post-medieval times. The large number of lime-burning kilns in the region reflects the agricultural activity during this period together with the associated remains of quarries, bell pits and collieries.

Wildlife habitats

Gower is extraordinarily rich in high-quality wildlife sites, boasting three National Nature Reserves, 24 Sites of Special Scientific Interest, 18 Wildlife Trust Reserves and three Local Nature Reserves. This is due to its diverse habitats that include large areas of salt-marsh and mudflat, woodland, stream valleys, moorland, sand dunes, cliffs, extensive intertidal rocky reefs and exposed and sheltered beaches.