Gower Caves
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The limestone cliffs along the Gower coast are dotted with caves which were once home to a variety of exotic animals such as elephants, cave bear, wolves, hyenas and early modern humans. When these animals roamed Wales, the Gower would have stood above a broad plain and big lowland hunting area, with the river Severn somewhere in the middle. Excavations within the caves have uncovered bones of animals and birds which help to paint a picture of when and how the climate has fluctuated over the millennia. Young Cory Shearwater bones dating back 125,000 years have been found in Bacon Hole. The fact that these birds, which now breed in the Mediterranean, were once present on the Gower indicates that the climate was warm. Dating the regurgitated bone contents of preserved owl pellets also provides a useful indicator of the environmental conditions. Owls prey on small mammals which have specific habitat requirements, so remains of snow dwelling species, such as lemmings for example, indicate that the climate was cold. Paviland Cave is well known for the 'Red Lady' skeleton which dates back about 26,000 years. The area became temporarily habitable by humans when, around 29,000 years ago, the last cold stage of the Ice Age was interrupted by a sudden warm phase. Humans were forced to leave Wales again before the height of the last glaciation was reached around 21,000 years ago, when only the very tops of the mountains would have been poking out of the ice. Accessibility: There are plenty of walks and beaches to visit on the Gower Peninsula (information available from Rhossili Visitor Centre). A walk heading east from the National Trust car park in Southgate towards Pwlldu Head will take you passed Bacon and Minchin Hole. Access to the caves is difficult and restricted at various times of the year due to the presence of breeding birds or hibernating bats.
Contact The National Trust before attempting to visit the caves: Little Reynoldston Farm, Reynoldston, Gower, SA3 1AQ; or telephone the National Trust warden on 01792 390636.There is a footpath signposted towards Paviland from the National Trust car park in Pilton Green (OS Grid Reference SS447872).
Note: The cliff-side approach to the cave is very dangerous, and the cave itself is on private land and shouldn't be entered without permission. Worm's Head is managed by the National Trust as a Nature Reserve. The causeway to Worm's Head is only exposed for 2.5 hours before and after low tide, so check tide times to avoid getting stranded. Between 1 March and 15 August there is no access to the outer head because of breeding sea birds. The cave itself, on the tip of the headland, is private and shouldn't be entered without permission. Access is dangerous. OS Grid References:
Grid References:
SS 560868 Bacon Hole
SS 555868 Minchin Hole
SS 437858 Paviland Cave
SS 383877 Worm's Head Cave
More on the web:
www.explore-gower.co.uk/caves.html
Rhossili Visitor Centre
A walk in Oxwich Bay on the Gower
Paviland Cave on Explore Gower |
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Opening times and admission charges are subject to change - please contact the venue before your visit
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