Mitchin Hole Cave

Heritage Site in Glamorgan

Wales

Mitchin Hole Cave

Pennard National Trust hut and Southgate shop The car park here is operated in season by the NT, who own and manage the area, ensuring that it stays a remarkable coastal landscape. The building behind is a (non-chain) convenience store and cafe - most welcome after (or before) a long coastal walk. Southgate seems an especially nice place. What a location.
Pennard National Trust hut and Southgate shop Credit: Jeremy Bolwell

Mitchin Hole Cave is a significant heritage site located in Glamorgan, Wales. Situated near the village of Penmark, the cave holds great geological and historical importance.

Geologically, Mitchin Hole Cave is a limestone cavern formed millions of years ago. It features a network of tunnels and chambers created by the erosion of water over time. The cave's unique rock formations, stalagmites, and stalactites make it a remarkable natural wonder.

Historically, the cave has been inhabited by humans for thousands of years. Archaeological evidence suggests that it was used as a shelter by early humans during the Mesolithic and Neolithic periods. The discovery of stone tools, pottery fragments, and animal bones provides insights into the lifestyles and practices of these ancient communities.

In more recent history, Mitchin Hole Cave gained popularity as a tourist attraction in the 19th century. Visitors were drawn to its natural beauty and the intriguing remnants of human occupation. Today, it continues to attract tourists and researchers alike, offering a fascinating glimpse into the past.

The cave is accessible through guided tours, ensuring the preservation of its fragile ecosystem and historical artifacts. Visitors can explore the winding passageways, marvel at the stunning formations, and learn about the cave's rich history from knowledgeable guides.

Overall, Mitchin Hole Cave stands as a testament to the geological and cultural heritage of Glamorgan. Its combination of natural beauty and archaeological significance makes it a must-visit destination for those interested in Wales' past and its stunning natural landscapes.

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Mitchin Hole Cave Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 51.558/-4.085 or Grid Reference SS5586. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

Pennard National Trust hut and Southgate shop The car park here is operated in season by the NT, who own and manage the area, ensuring that it stays a remarkable coastal landscape. The building behind is a (non-chain) convenience store and cafe - most welcome after (or before) a long coastal walk. Southgate seems an especially nice place. What a location.
Pennard National Trust hut and Southgate shop
The car park here is operated in season by the NT, who own and manage the area, ensuring that it stays a remarkable coastal landscape. The building behind is a (non-chain) convenience store and cafe - most welcome after (or before) a long coastal walk. Southgate seems an especially nice place. What a location.
Housing on Hael Lane, Southgate This little lane contains lots of bungalows, some more modern than others, but all pretty nice.
Housing on Hael Lane, Southgate
This little lane contains lots of bungalows, some more modern than others, but all pretty nice.
Will she ever see the sea again? This old craft has been in dry dock some time I think.
Will she ever see the sea again?
This old craft has been in dry dock some time I think.
Abandoned vehicles along Hael Lane Aha! More old collectibles scattered about; a 40 year old combine harvester lies in a glorious state of decay under these trees in the field to the left of the footpath and further on if I'm not much mistaken that's an old MG. An interesting contrast. High marks for artistic interpretation.
Abandoned vehicles along Hael Lane
Aha! More old collectibles scattered about; a 40 year old combine harvester lies in a glorious state of decay under these trees in the field to the left of the footpath and further on if I'm not much mistaken that's an old MG. An interesting contrast. High marks for artistic interpretation.
Abandoned MG Midget? This is an old MG Midget 1500 Sports, a car I coveted as a young lad, admiring their Britishness, their elan, their throaty exhaust note, the fact that the passenger seat was invariably taken by a svelte young lady with Farrah Fawcett hair and a thrilled expression. Not many young ladies would be too thrilled to clamber into this one today. Only MG enthusiasts like me. However it looks as if someone still loves it (locked, only the current seasons growth around it, near a farm etc). There is still a market for these cars. A project awaits.
Abandoned MG Midget?
This is an old MG Midget 1500 Sports, a car I coveted as a young lad, admiring their Britishness, their elan, their throaty exhaust note, the fact that the passenger seat was invariably taken by a svelte young lady with Farrah Fawcett hair and a thrilled expression. Not many young ladies would be too thrilled to clamber into this one today. Only MG enthusiasts like me. However it looks as if someone still loves it (locked, only the current seasons growth around it, near a farm etc). There is still a market for these cars. A project awaits.
Footpath near the Bishopston Valley The waymarker directs to Southgate village (behind me) or Pwll Du Bay (to the right) but I am off to the left and the deep Bishopston Valley. A nice ford here often used by cattle (to drink at) and horse riders (to ride through).
Footpath near the Bishopston Valley
The waymarker directs to Southgate village (behind me) or Pwll Du Bay (to the right) but I am off to the left and the deep Bishopston Valley. A nice ford here often used by cattle (to drink at) and horse riders (to ride through).
Ford behind Pwlldu Bay The cottages here are accessed in a vehicle through this picturesque ford.
Ford behind Pwlldu Bay
The cottages here are accessed in a vehicle through this picturesque ford.
An evening walk on the Gower coast path Walking on a coastal path in scenery like this is never a chore, but some times of day seem optimum times and for me an evening walk in summer is sometimes unbeatable; you often get the whole coast to yourself (or at least only share it with a few like-minded souls), the light is always great if sunny (long shadows etc) and you can relate to the landscape in a new way as it feels somehow almost untouched again. But if you 'relate to the landscape' to such an extent that you get lost, then there's always a waymarker somewhere too.
An evening walk on the Gower coast path
Walking on a coastal path in scenery like this is never a chore, but some times of day seem optimum times and for me an evening walk in summer is sometimes unbeatable; you often get the whole coast to yourself (or at least only share it with a few like-minded souls), the light is always great if sunny (long shadows etc) and you can relate to the landscape in a new way as it feels somehow almost untouched again. But if you 'relate to the landscape' to such an extent that you get lost, then there's always a waymarker somewhere too.
Fishing boat off Pwlldu Head on a June evening Now he's got the right idea; catch some supper.
Fishing boat off Pwlldu Head on a June evening
Now he's got the right idea; catch some supper.
Deep Slade on a June evening Somewhere on the other side of Deep Slade someone is flying a radio-controlled model plane as the sun sinks. No one else is around.
Deep Slade on a June evening
Somewhere on the other side of Deep Slade someone is flying a radio-controlled model plane as the sun sinks. No one else is around.
Hunts Farm east of Southgate
Hunts Farm east of Southgate
Deep Slade near Southgate
Deep Slade near Southgate
Roundabout at junction of Southgate Road and West Cliff
Roundabout at junction of Southgate Road and West Cliff
Cliffs and slopes on the Southgate Coast
Cliffs and slopes on the Southgate Coast
Shire Combe at the eastern end of Pobbles Beach
Shire Combe at the eastern end of Pobbles Beach
Clubhouse at Pennard Golf Club
Clubhouse at Pennard Golf Club
Pobbles Beach Looking towards the Three Cliffs.
Pobbles Beach
Looking towards the Three Cliffs.
View to Pwlldu Head from Whiteshell Point, Gower A lovely stretch of coastline comprising Caswell Bay, almost hidden Brandy Cove, Secretive Pwlldu Bay and a curving, undulating section of the Wales Coast Path.
View to Pwlldu Head from Whiteshell Point, Gower
A lovely stretch of coastline comprising Caswell Bay, almost hidden Brandy Cove, Secretive Pwlldu Bay and a curving, undulating section of the Wales Coast Path.
Show me another place!

Mitchin Hole Cave is located at Grid Ref: SS5586 (Lat: 51.558, Lng: -4.085)

Unitary Authority: Swansea

Police Authority: South Wales

What 3 Words

///play.gloom.skillet. Near Southgate, Swansea

Nearby Locations

Mitchin Hole Cave

Related Wikis

Hunts Bay

Hunts Bay is located on the south coast of the Gower Peninsula, Wales, between Pwll du and Foxhole to the east of Three Cliffs Bay. It was once a sandy...

Pennard (electoral ward)

Pennard is the name of an electoral ward in the City and County of Swansea, Wales, United Kingdom. It is coterminous with the community of Pennard.The...

Pwlldu Bay

Pwlldu Bay or Pwll Du Bay (Welsh: Bae Pwll Du) is a small beach on the south Gower Peninsula coast in south Wales. It is one of the more remote beaches...

Three Cliffs Bay

Three Cliffs Bay (Welsh: Bae y Tri Chlogwyn) (grid reference SS535876), otherwise Three Cliff Bay, is a bay on the south coast of the Gower Peninsula in...

Nearby Amenities

Located within 500m of 51.558,-4.085
Bowen's Parlour
Climbing: crag
Climbing Sport: yes
Natural: cliff
Sport: climbing
Lat/Long: 51.561823/-4.082703
Marble Arch
Climbing: crag
Climbing Trad: yes
Leisure: traditional crag
Natural: cliff
Sport: climbing
Lat/Long: 51.56206/-4.084331
Minchen Hole
Climbing: crag
Climbing Sport: yes
Natural: cliff
Sport: climbing
Lat/Long: 51.5620981/-4.0856224
Pantheon
Climbing: crag
Climbing Sport: yes
Natural: cliff
Sport: climbing
Lat/Long: 51.561964/-4.082273
The data included in this document is from www.openstreetmap.org. The data is made available under ODbL.

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