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Kilvrough Wood

Wood, Forest in Glamorgan

Wales

Kilvrough Wood

Swansea Airport on Fairwood Common A small airport for lighter aircraft.
Swansea Airport on Fairwood Common Credit: Nigel Davies

Kilvrough Wood is a picturesque forest located in the county of Glamorgan, Wales. Covering an area of approximately 500 acres, this woodland is known for its natural beauty and diverse range of flora and fauna. Situated near the village of Parkmill, the wood is easily accessible and attracts both locals and tourists alike.

The forest boasts a mix of deciduous and coniferous trees, including oak, beech, and pine, creating a vibrant and lush landscape throughout the year. The rich biodiversity of Kilvrough Wood provides a habitat for various wildlife species, including birds, mammals, and insects. Birdwatchers can spot woodpeckers, owls, and various species of songbirds, while nature enthusiasts may come across rabbits, badgers, and even the elusive red squirrel.

Numerous walking trails and footpaths crisscross the forest, allowing visitors to explore its natural wonders at their own pace. The paths are well-maintained and signposted, ensuring a safe and enjoyable experience for all. The tranquil atmosphere of Kilvrough Wood provides the perfect setting for a leisurely stroll or a peaceful picnic amidst nature.

In addition to its natural beauty, Kilvrough Wood also holds historical significance. The remains of an Iron Age fort can be found within its boundaries, offering a glimpse into the area's ancient past. This combination of natural and historical features makes Kilvrough Wood a popular destination for those seeking both recreational and educational experiences.

Overall, Kilvrough Wood in Glamorgan is a stunning forest that showcases the beauty of nature in Wales. With its diverse ecosystem, well-maintained trails, and historical significance, it is an ideal destination for outdoor enthusiasts, nature lovers, and those interested in the region's rich heritage.

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Kilvrough Wood Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 51.587875/-4.0838538 or Grid Reference SS5589. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

Swansea Airport on Fairwood Common A small airport for lighter aircraft.
Swansea Airport on Fairwood Common
A small airport for lighter aircraft.
Runway 04 at Swansea Airport View to the North East coming into land
Runway 04 at Swansea Airport
View to the North East coming into land
Ilston Community: Fairwood Common Looking west-south-west towards Cartersford Bridge on the B4271
Ilston Community: Fairwood Common
Looking west-south-west towards Cartersford Bridge on the B4271
Ilston Community: Pengwern Common Looking south east
Ilston Community: Pengwern Common
Looking south east
St. Illtyds Church, Ilston
St. Illtyds Church, Ilston
Road junction from the entrance to Willoxton Farm Ilston ahead, Lunnon to the right, B4271 to the left.
Road junction from the entrance to Willoxton Farm
Ilston ahead, Lunnon to the right, B4271 to the left.
Notice outside Ilston Church
Notice outside Ilston Church
Ford at entrance to former Ilston Quarry The quarry is now a National Trust nature reserve. This photo is taken from near the stile into the reserve. Unfortunately the water is too deep to cross without waterproof footwear and there's nowhere to park if you wanted to drive across.
Ford at entrance to former Ilston Quarry
The quarry is now a National Trust nature reserve. This photo is taken from near the stile into the reserve. Unfortunately the water is too deep to cross without waterproof footwear and there's nowhere to park if you wanted to drive across.
Pasture land in eastern Gower Hams Wood is in the distance, right.
Pasture land in eastern Gower
Hams Wood is in the distance, right.
Gower moorland View north from north of Kittle near Swansea Airport.
Gower moorland
View north from north of Kittle near Swansea Airport.
Edge of moorland Looking north from the Kittle Road.
Edge of moorland
Looking north from the Kittle Road.
Kittle Road Looking west towards the A4118 and Ilston.
Kittle Road
Looking west towards the A4118 and Ilston.
Ilston church Hunkered down in Ilston cwm and reached across a narrow footbridge this chunky little church is essentially a Victorian reconstruction of the original mediaeval version. Apart from its delightful setting the church has an unexpected claim to fame in that it acted as the meeting place for the earliest Baptist congregation, under the leadership of one John Miles/Myles a parliamentarian who took over the living from the royalist incumbent in 1649. "From 1649 until 1660 the Ilston Baptists met in the parish church St Illtyd, of which Miles was rector or minister, though they always referred to the place as their ‘Meeting House’, not their ‘church’ or ‘chapel’. Baptist services and meetings were open only to members. Indeed, Miles was insistent that non-baptised sympathisers should not be allowed to attend. But Miles would also have held more general services for all the parishioners of Ilston, the majority of whom remained non-Baptists. The church had been built by the local de Breos family in the thirteenth century, probably on the site of an earlier Christian cell. It was drastically ‘restored’ inside and out in the mid nineteenth century, and many of the features familiar to Miles and his Baptists have been destroyed or altered beyond recognition." At the Restoration Miles was ejected, the Baptist movement was forced underground and in 1663 he emigrated to America along with many more of his co-religionists, and died there in 1684. The full story, from which the above quotation is abstracted, can be read here <span class="nowrap"><a title="http://www.olivercromwell.org/ilston.htm" rel="nofollow ugc noopener" href="http://www.olivercromwell.org/ilston.htm">Link</a><img style="margin-left:2px;" alt="External link" title="External link - shift click to open in new window" src="https://s1.geograph.org.uk/img/external.png" width="10" height="10"/></span>
Ilston church
Hunkered down in Ilston cwm and reached across a narrow footbridge this chunky little church is essentially a Victorian reconstruction of the original mediaeval version. Apart from its delightful setting the church has an unexpected claim to fame in that it acted as the meeting place for the earliest Baptist congregation, under the leadership of one John Miles/Myles a parliamentarian who took over the living from the royalist incumbent in 1649. "From 1649 until 1660 the Ilston Baptists met in the parish church St Illtyd, of which Miles was rector or minister, though they always referred to the place as their ‘Meeting House’, not their ‘church’ or ‘chapel’. Baptist services and meetings were open only to members. Indeed, Miles was insistent that non-baptised sympathisers should not be allowed to attend. But Miles would also have held more general services for all the parishioners of Ilston, the majority of whom remained non-Baptists. The church had been built by the local de Breos family in the thirteenth century, probably on the site of an earlier Christian cell. It was drastically ‘restored’ inside and out in the mid nineteenth century, and many of the features familiar to Miles and his Baptists have been destroyed or altered beyond recognition." At the Restoration Miles was ejected, the Baptist movement was forced underground and in 1663 he emigrated to America along with many more of his co-religionists, and died there in 1684. The full story, from which the above quotation is abstracted, can be read here LinkExternal link
Ilston church tower St. Illtyd's church probably derives from a 6th century monastic cell. The present church was originally built during the 13th century incorporating the 6th century cell in the base of a massive embattled tower with a transverse saddle-back roof. There was the inevitable Victorian restoration and further work was carried out at the millennium. St Illtud/Illtyd converted from a military career to a life of asceticism. He achieved great fame as a teacher and is also credited with improving agricultural methods in Wales.
Ilston church tower
St. Illtyd's church probably derives from a 6th century monastic cell. The present church was originally built during the 13th century incorporating the 6th century cell in the base of a massive embattled tower with a transverse saddle-back roof. There was the inevitable Victorian restoration and further work was carried out at the millennium. St Illtud/Illtyd converted from a military career to a life of asceticism. He achieved great fame as a teacher and is also credited with improving agricultural methods in Wales.
Wild garlic at St Illtyd The steep churchyard at Ilston was deep in ramsons on this day in mid-May. There is said to be an old well in the upper part that has long since dried up. However, in the past, locals believed the well to be haunted. On one occasion a ghostly white horse called a 'ceffyl dwr' or water horse in Welsh folklore, was seen in the churchyard before it vanished into the waters of the well.
Wild garlic at St Illtyd
The steep churchyard at Ilston was deep in ramsons on this day in mid-May. There is said to be an old well in the upper part that has long since dried up. However, in the past, locals believed the well to be haunted. On one occasion a ghostly white horse called a 'ceffyl dwr' or water horse in Welsh folklore, was seen in the churchyard before it vanished into the waters of the well.
Ilston church, south face The tower in this view is partially concealed by a huge yew tree which is said to be as old as the church.
Ilston church, south face
The tower in this view is partially concealed by a huge yew tree which is said to be as old as the church.
Devil's door at St Illtyd's These doors, always in the shady north wall of a church, would be opened at baptisms for the exorcised devil to escape! They were usually blocked up in less superstitious, and more draught-conscious, times.
Devil's door at St Illtyd's
These doors, always in the shady north wall of a church, would be opened at baptisms for the exorcised devil to escape! They were usually blocked up in less superstitious, and more draught-conscious, times.
Idyllic Ilston The stream runs through the deep, wooded Ilston cwm and joins Pennard Pill at Parkmill.
Idyllic Ilston
The stream runs through the deep, wooded Ilston cwm and joins Pennard Pill at Parkmill.
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Kilvrough Wood is located at Grid Ref: SS5589 (Lat: 51.587875, Lng: -4.0838538)

Unitary Authority: Swansea

Police Authority: South Wales

What 3 Words

///finishes.lawfully.wager. Near Pennard, Swansea

Nearby Locations

Kilvrough Wood Kilvrough Cil-frwch

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Nearby Amenities

Located within 500m of 51.587875,-4.0838538
Barrier: stile
Lat/Long: 51.5898153/-4.0800109
OpenStreetMap
Google Maps
Information: route_marker
Tourism: information
Lat/Long: 51.5907907/-4.0810062
OpenStreetMap
Google Maps
Carey's Wood
Natural: wood
Lat/Long: 51.5911054/-4.0825433
OpenStreetMap
Google Maps
The data included in this document is from www.openstreetmap.org. The data is made available under ODbL.
Allt Gôch Cardiganshire
Carey's Wood Glamorgan

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