Site Code
Country: United Kingdom
Central coordinates: 51.58333333o [51o 34' 59" North], -4.13333333o [4o 7' 59" West]
Administrative region: Wales (Glamorgan)
Area: 3014 ha
Altitude: 0 - 193
Site Description
The Gower peninsula is justifiably famous for its landscape and wildlife and forms a natural IPA. Some 24 kilometres of limestone cliffs, caves, dunes and beaches form its southern boundary, while the northern edge follows the estuary of the River Loughor. The western edge of the peninsula runs from the spectacular rocks of Worm’s head to the vast sand-dune system at Whiteford Point. Inland, a mixed farming landscape gives way on higher ground to open acidic commons and moorland. Near the southern coast, the steep limestone valleys are home to important ash woodlands. Gower has been protected as an Area of Outstanding Natural beauty since 1956 and today includes or is part of 4 SACs, 3 NNRs and at least 20 SSSIs. The National Trust owns 12% of the peninsula and manages this land for biodiversity.
Botanical Significance
Gower qualifies as an IPA on all three criteria. For Criterion A, Liparis loeselii (Fen Orchid) is found in one of the sand-dune systems, along with Petalophyllum ralfsii (Petalwort, although not as a qualifying feature here). The exceptionally rich flora (Criterion B) is shown by hot-spots of threatened vascular species for coastal limestone cliffs and grasslands, lowland heaths and arable habitats.
Management guidance notes
Britain’s first Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, the limestone cliffs, beaches and dunes of the Gower peninsula are incredibly diverse. Inland, acidic heaths and commons predominate, while ash woodlands and arable farms contribute further to the richness of the area, with over 700 vascular plant species recorded. The IPA covers the whole peninsula, including areas outside the existing SACs and many SSSIs, forming a coherent unit for protection.
Notes
33 per cent of the Gower peninsula falls within NNRs or a SSSIs, each with their own management plans. The IPA, however, links many of these unconnected sites and includes botanically rich sites that fall outside protected areas. 12% of the land is managed by the National Trust and much unprotected land is managed under agri-environment schemes