GOWER
The Gower peninsula was the first ever area in England and Wales to be designated an 'Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty'. Just 18 miles long and less than 8 miles wide the area has nearly 400 miles of public rights of way, and 23 nature reserves.
The area is unique in terms of the variety of the habitats and species that occur within its 188 square kilometres. As a result, it has a greater diversity of conservation designations than almost anywhere else in the UK and is highly valued with a wide range of important habitats and species. Among its gems are the Black Bog ant, chough, rare Marsh Fritillary butterfly, and brown hare. Gower also reflects a broad timeline - there are at least 1,200 archaeological sites of different periods and types.
Llanrhidian Marsh is one of the best examples of a salt marsh in Britain and is of international importance for its enormous population of wintering wildfowl and waders including the oystercatcher, knot, pintail and golden plover.
Whitford Burrows is seen as one of the best dune systems in Britain and have an excellent series of dune habitats. The flora is exceptional and includes many rare breeds and local species, including early marsh orchid, fen orchid, early grass sand and dune genetian.
Gower is also known for its outdoor activities of which there are many to choose from on its wide range of spectacular beaches many of them blue flag.
The area is unique in terms of the variety of the habitats and species that occur within its 188 square kilometres. As a result, it has a greater diversity of conservation designations than almost anywhere else in the UK and is highly valued with a wide range of important habitats and species. Among its gems are the Black Bog ant, chough, rare Marsh Fritillary butterfly, and brown hare. Gower also reflects a broad timeline - there are at least 1,200 archaeological sites of different periods and types.
Llanrhidian Marsh is one of the best examples of a salt marsh in Britain and is of international importance for its enormous population of wintering wildfowl and waders including the oystercatcher, knot, pintail and golden plover.
Whitford Burrows is seen as one of the best dune systems in Britain and have an excellent series of dune habitats. The flora is exceptional and includes many rare breeds and local species, including early marsh orchid, fen orchid, early grass sand and dune genetian.
Gower is also known for its outdoor activities of which there are many to choose from on its wide range of spectacular beaches many of them blue flag.
