Trees in Nicholaston Woods above Oxwich Bay, Gower

Where to go · Swansea

Forest bathing at Nicholaston Woods

Old woodland on the slope above Oxwich Bay, carpeted with flowers in spring and looking out over the dunes and sea.

Nicholaston Woods is the wooded slope on the eastern side of Oxwich Bay, part of the Oxwich National Nature Reserve. It is old woodland, carpeted with flowers in spring, and from the higher paths you look down over the marsh and dunes to the sea. Even on busy beach days it stays quiet among the trees.

The Nicholaston Woods Walk is 2.2 miles and takes an hour or so, though you can easily spend longer. You can start from the small layby at the entrance on the Oxwich road, or from the Penrice Estate car park at Oxwich, which charges and opens seasonally. Expect narrow paths, steep in places, with steps on the steepest sections. Toilets and a wildlife hide are near the Oxwich car park.

Practical

Managed by
Natural Resources Wales (Oxwich National Nature Reserve)
Parking
Small layby at the woods' entrance on the Oxwich and Slade road; seasonal pay car park at Oxwich run by the Penrice Estate
Terrain
Narrow, uneven paths, steep in places with steps
Nearest station
Gowerton, about 11 miles by road
Facilities
Toilets and wildlife hide near the Oxwich car park
Opening and entry
Open access, free
Official page
naturalresources.wales

Last updated 4 November 2026. Paths, parking and access can change, so check before you visit. Spotted something out of date? Please let us know.

Guides nearby

Two guides within 15 miles of Nicholaston Woods

More woodlands in Swansea

All venues in Swansea
Woodland in Bishopston Valley, GowerBishopston ValleyAncient wooded limestone valley running down to Pwll Du, with caves and sinking streamsBridge over the wooded cycle path through Clyne Valley, SwanseaClyne Valley Country Park700 acres of valley woodland with a level old railway path from BlackpillOvergrown walled fishpond among trees in Mill Wood, Penrice, GowerMill WoodAncient woodland on the Penrice estate with mill ruins, fishponds and spring flowers

Photos: Bishopston Valley, John Duckfield (CC BY-SA 2.0); Clyne Valley Country Park, Simon Mortimer (CC BY-SA 2.0); Mill Wood, Nigel Davies (CC BY-SA 2.0).