Mynydd Margam

The hills that form the northern side of Margam Park preserve important earthworks left by previous inhabitants. On this walk, one of a series on the Park organised by its Friends group, we looked at Mynydd y Castell, an Iron Age fort behind the abbey, and then went on to look at two deserted settlements on the ridge.

Flora, fauna and forts of Mumbles Head (in association with Swansea City Council and Oystermouth Historical Association)

Starting with a gentle stroll up to the top of Mumbles Head, taking in some of the rich ecology along the way. At the top we offered something for everyone, splendid views out across Swansea Bay, remains of Mumbles industrial heritage from the 18th and 19th century, and the more contemporary WWII anti-aircraft and coastal battery, via a Victorian oyster midden, topped off with a generous helping of memories from local history. All of which goes to demonstrate the long history of activity at this local landmark.

Historic Swansea.

A walk round Swansea's old city centre, looking at what is left of the town from before the great Victorian rebuilding and the blitz. We walked along the medieval streets, looking at what survives of the castle, the town wall, the Cross Keys inn and the Regency Quaker meeting house, and talked about the excavations that took place before development on the David Evans site, Little Wind Street and Whitewalls.

White Rock copper works and Swansea's industrial past.

A hundred years ago, the Lower Swansea Valley was lined for miles with heavy industry, difficult to visualise now that most of it has been demolished. But we were still able to see remains of the White Rock works with their connection to Smith's Canal running in a tunnel underneath, and part of the Morfa works near the park-and-ride. In the Hafod, the regeneration programme is housing built by the Vivians for their workers to its original glory.

The archaeology of Rhossili.

A quick sprint up Rhossili Down sorted out the fit from the unfit, and then we walked from one prehistoric cairn to another, perhaps following in the footsteps of people millennia ago. The WWII radar station brought the archaeology right up the 2oth century, and then it was back down to the warren and the Vile to fill in the gaps, with the Iron Age fort on the edge of the cliffs, and the medieval the open fields and besanded church.

Pennard Burrows (in association with Swansea City Council)

We started at the National Trust car park at Pennard Cliffs, where we looked at Foxhole Cave and talked about the other caves in the cove below the car park. Then we walked across the Burrows, talking about how the South Wales coast was inundated by sand in the Middle Ages until we got to the ruins of Pennard Castle and the old church, abandoned as a result. We then sat down to draw the castle and have lunch.