The Glamorgan-Gwent Archaeological Trust Ltd.

The Historic Landscape Character Areas (HLCAs)


Photo of Llanrhidian Sands and the Lougher Estuary

HLCA001 Llanrhidian Sands and the Lougher Estuary

Intertidal landscape: buried landscapes; exploitation of the marine environment; transportation and maritime features. Back to Map


Photo of Broughton Bay and Whiteford Sands

HLCA002 Broughton Bay and Whiteford Sands

Intertidal landscape: buried landscapes; exploitation of the marine environment; transportation and maritime features; historic associations; events. Back to Map


Photo of Whiteford Burrows

HLCA003 Whiteford Burrows

Besanded landscape: buried former landscapes and evidence of activity primarily during the medieval period and WWII. Back to Map


Photo of Llanrhidian and Landimore Salt Marsh

HLCA004 Llanrhidian and Landimore Salt Marsh

Intertidal wetland landscape: buried landscapes; wetland resources; exploitation of the marine environment; transportation; maritime and water features. Back to Map


Photo of Cwm Ivy Marsh

HLCA005 Cwm Ivy Marsh

Enclosed reclaimed wetland landscape: relict agricultural and water management features. Back to Map


Burry Holms and the Tors

HLCA006 Burry Holms and the Tors

Unenclosed coastal margin: prehistoric finds; multi-period settlement; ritual features; ecclesiastical settlement; post-medieval industrial features. Back to Map


Llanmadoc

HLCA007 Llanmadoc

Post-medieval/medieval agricultural and settlement landscape: organic settlement centred on medieval church; early medieval ecclesiastic centre; ribbon development and clustered settlement; varied fieldscape; dispersed farmsteads; post-medieval vernacular buildings and features; agri-industrial features; scattered finds; historic associations. Back to Map


Photo of Rhossili Bay

HLCA008 Rhossili Bay

Intertidal landscape: open beach; buried landscapes; maritime features; historic associations; events, folklore and legends. Back to Map


Photo of Llangennith, Broughton and Hillend Burrows

HLCA009 Llangennith, Broughton and Hillend Burrows

Besanded landscape: prehistoric finds and settlement; post-medieval industrial activity. Back to Map


Photo of Llangennith Moor

HLCA010 Llangennith Moor

Enclosed reclaimed wetland: relict post-medieval agricultural and water management features. Back to Map


Photo of Llangennith

HLCA011 Llangennith

Post-medieval/medieval settlement and agricultural landscape: varied fieldscape; post-medieval vernacular buildings; ecclesiastical centre; medieval priory; scattered prehistoric features; rural industry; historic associations. Back to Map


Photo of Llanmadoc Hill

HLCA012 Llanmadoc Hill

Unenclosed common land: prehistoric funerary and ritual landscape; major defended enclosure; water related features. Back to Map


Photo of Lower Rhossili Enclosed Coastal Strip

HLCA013 Lower Rhossili Enclosed Coastal Strip

Enclosed coastal margin and besanded landscape: relict archaeology; medieval settlement; and post-medieval fieldscape. Back to Map


Photo of Tor-gro and North Hill Tor

HLCA014 Tor-gro and North Hill Tor

Coastal margin and wooded cliff top: multi-period associations; prehistoric finds; defensive settlements; agri-industrial activities; links to surrounding areas. Back to Map


Photo of Landimore and Llanrhidian Reclaimed Land

HLCA015 Landimore and Llanrhidian Reclaimed Land

Reclaimed wetland landscape: regular enclosure and agricultural features; drainage channels and water features. Back to Map


Photo of Kennexstone and Tankeylake

HLCA016 Kennexstone and Tankeylake

Post-medieval/medieval agricultural landscape: varied/irregular fieldscape; relict medieval strip fields and traditional boundaries; medieval/post-medieval agricultural settlement; post-medieval farmsteads. Back to Map


Photo of Ryer's Down

HLCA017 Ryer's Down

Unenclosed common land: relict medieval/post-medieval settlement and agricultural features; water supply features; communication network. Back to Map


Photo of Cheriton and Burry Pill

HLCA018 Cheriton and Burry Pill

River valley landscape: ancient woodland; irregular evolved enclosure and dispersed post-medieval farmsteads; agricultural industrial landscape with medieval origins: mills; medieval ecclesiastic and later parochial centre; communication networks. Back to Map


Photo of Bovehill and Landimore

HLCA019 Bovehill and Landimore

Post-medieval/medieval settlement and agricultural landscape and former manorial centre: largely regular fieldscape; ribbon and clustered settlement pattern; relict and buried archaeological features; traditional boundaries; post-medieval regional vernacular buildings; historic associations. Back to Map


Photo of Weobley, Leason and Llwn-y-bwch

HLCA020 Weobley, Leason and Llwn-y-bwch

Post-medieval/medieval agricultural landscape and former manorial centre: post-medieval cluster and ribbon settlement; post-medieval agricultural features; traditional field boundaries; historic associations; post-medieval rural industry; prehistoric ritual and settlement evidence. Back to Map


Photo of Oxwich Cliffs

HLCA021 Oxwich Cliffs

Intertidal landscape: rocky foreshore of cliffs and caves; and shipwrecks. Back to Map


Photo of Llanrhidian

HLCA022 Llanrhidian

Post-medieval/medieval settlement and agricultural landscape: nucleated settlement; early medieval/medieval ecclesiastic and later parochial centre; post-medieval fieldscape with medieval stripfields; traditional boundaries; dispersed post-medieval farmsteads and cottages; rural industry. Back to Map


Photo of Rhossili Down

HLCA023 Rhossili Down

Unenclosed common land: prehistoric funerary and ritual landscape and settlement features; livestock management features; and water related features. Back to Map


Photo of Thistleboon Fieldscape

HLCA024 Thistleboon Fieldscape

Post-medieval/ medieval agricultural landscape: prehistoric finds; leisure and tourism. Back to Map


Photo of Hardings Down

HLCA025 Hardings Down

Unenclosed common land: prehistoric defended enclosures and settlement features; routeways; and prehistoric ritual/funerary monuments. Back to Map


Photo of Burry

HLCA026 Burry

Post-medieval/medieval agricultural and settlement landscape: irregular enclosure pattern; post-medieval ribbon settlement; scattered farmsteads; milling; and non-conformist associations. Back to Map


Photo of Fairyhill

HLCA027 Fairyhill

Post-medieval gentry estate and parkland landscape: eighteenth century house and park; agricultural and water related features; and historic associations. Back to Map


Photo of Hillend

HLCA028 Hillend

Post-medieval/medieval agricultural landscape: varied fieldscape superimposed over earlier field pattern; traditional boundaries; dispersed post-medieval settlement and related features. Back to Map


Photo of Worm's Head and South West Gower Cliffs

HLCA029 Worm's Head and South West Gower Cliffs

Intertidal zone, unenclosed coastal margin and cliff edge landscape: caves; prehistoric settlement and finds; maritime features; agri-industrial processing; historic associations; tales and legends; and livestock management. Back to Map


Photo of The Vile

HLCA030 The Vile

Medieval/post-medieval agricultural landscape: relict medieval open field system; traditional enclosure boundaries; footpaths and tracks. Back to Map


Photo of Rhossili and Middleton

HLCA031 Rhossili and Middleton

Post-medieval/medieval settlement and agricultural landscape: nucleated organic settlement with later ribbon development; varied fieldscape; medieval strip fields; traditional boundaries; ecclesiastical centre; post-medieval vernacular buildings; rural and processing industrial features; and historic associations. Back to Map


Photo of Pitton and Pilton

HLCA032 Pitton and Pilton

Post-medieval/medieval agricultural landscape and manorial centres: varied enclosure pattern; traditional boundaries and green lanes; small clustered and dispersed settlement; post-medieval farms with medieval precursors; prehistoric find scatters; rural industrial processing features. Back to Map


Photo of Henllys

HLCA033 Henllys

Post-medieval/medieval agricultural landscape and manorial centre: evolved irregular fieldscape with medieval strip fields; traditional boundaries; medieval and post-medieval settlement and agricultural features; loosely dispersed settlement; interesting post-medieval buildings (farmsteads) with a possible medieval precursor; possible early medieval associations (Llys site). Back to Map


Photo of Llanddewi

HLCA034 Llanddewi

Post-medieval/medieval agricultural landscape and medieval ecclesiastic manor: evolved semi-regular fieldscape; traditional boundaries; ecclesiastic and early medieval associations; post-medieval settlement and agricultural features; deserted medieval settlement; and agri-industrial features. Back to Map


Photo of Knelston Manor

HLCA035 Knelston Manor

Post-medieval/medieval agricultural and settlement landscape and manorial centre: evolved semi-regular fieldscape; distinctive boundaries; medieval ecclesiastic associations; post-medieval ribbon settlement and agricultural features; agri-industrial features; prehistoric funerary/ritual features; and communication routes. Back to Map


Photo of Stouthall

HLCA036 Stouthall

Post-medieval gentry estate and parkland: park and ornamental woodland; historic associations former estate of the Lucas family; relict agri-cultural features and trackways. Back to Map


Photo of Reynoldston

HLCA037 Reynoldston

Post-medieval/medieval settlement and agricultural landscape and manorial centre: former medieval settlement; varied feldscape; organic settlement core; dispersed farmsteads; medieval church; prehistoric domestic defensive features; remnant woodland; and historic associations.Back to Map


Photo of Cefn Bryn Common

HLCA038 Cefn Bryn Common

Unenclosed common land: prehistoric, funerary and ritual landscape; possible prehistoric occupation; routeways and trackways; historic association; water supply; minor industrial and agricultural features. Back to Map


Photo of Newton

HLCA039 Newton

Largely post-medieval agricultural landscape: varied fieldscape and dispersed post-medieval settlement; buried prehistoric and medieval archaeology, including a scheduled ritual site. Back to Map


Photo of Scurlage and Berry

HLCA040 Scurlage and Berry

Post-medieval/medieval agricultural landscape and former manorial centres (Scurlage Castle - secular; Berry - monastic): post-medieval semi-regular fieldscape; shrunken medieval/post-medieval clustered settlement of Scurlage Castle and linear settlement of Berry; relict and buried archaeology; limestone extraction and processing. Back to Map


Photo of Bishop's Wood

HLCA041 Bishop's Wood

Wooded river valley landscape: ancient woodland and scrub; and post-medieval agri- industrial activity. Back to Map


Photo of Mumbles Head and Rotherslade

HLCA042 Mumbles Head and Rotherslade

Intertidal zone and unenclosed coastal margin: coastal and maritime features; quarrying, defensive sites; buried archaeology; tourism. Back to Map


Photo of Paviland and Monksland

HLCA043 Paviland and Monksland

Largely post-medieval agricultural landscape and former monastic grange land: varied enclosure; medieval settlement with associated fieldscape; ecclesiastic associations and agri-industrial features. Back to Map


Photo of Port Eynon

HLCA044 Port Eynon

Post-medieval/medieval settlement and agricultural landscape and manorial centre: varied fieldscape; nucleated organic settlement and loose dispersed scatter; post-medieval vernacular buildings; buried archaeology; coastal and maritime features; rural industry - extraction processing and rural crafts. Back to Map


Photo of Horton

HLCA045 Horton

Post-medieval/medieval settlement and agricultural landscape and sub-manorial centre: varied fieldscape; organically clustered hamlet; post-medieval vernacular buildings; rural industry - extraction processing and rural crafts; and buried archaeology. Back to Map


Photo of Penrice

HLCA046 Penrice

Medieval/post-medieval settlement and agricultural landscape and former manorial centre: small well-preserved nucleated settlement; dispersed farmsteads, varied fieldscape; woodland and plantation; relict archaeology; and rural industry: principally milling. Back to Map


Photo of Penrice Park

HLCA047 Penrice Park

Medieval manorial centre, administrative and defensive landscape and post-medieval gentry estate: medieval castle; post-medieval gentry house within contemporary parkland setting; post-medieval farmsteads and agricultural buildings. Back to Map


Photo of Oxwich

HLCA048 Oxwich

Medieval and post-medieval agricultural landscape and former manorial centre: varied settlement pattern (shrunken medieval settlements); post-medieval vernacular buildings; varied fieldscape; traditional boundaries; relict multi-period defensive structures; unimproved cliff edge; woodland; and rural industry. Back to Map


Photo of Oxwich Bay Wooded Cliff Top

HLCA049 Oxwich Bay Wooded Cliff Top

Wooded cliff top margin: ancient woodland; prehistoric domestic defensive; and post-medieval agri- industrial activity. Back to Map


Photo of Port Eynon Bay Sands

HLCA050 Port Eynon Bay Sands

Intertidal landscape: beach and shingle; sand dunes; prehistoric and Roman findspots; marine exploitation; trade and transportation; and shipwrecks. Back to Map


Photo of Kittle

HLCA051 Kittle

Largely post-medieval agricultural landscape and former manorial centre: dispersed farmsteads and small clustered settlement; agri-industrial features; communication routes; woodland; and findspots. Back to Map


Photo of Oxwich Bay and Three Cliffs Bay Intertidal Zone

HLCA052 Oxwich Bay and Three Cliffs Bay Intertidal Zone

Intertidal landscape: sandy beach; Roman and medieval finds; marine exploitation; trade and transportation; and shipwrecks. Back to Map


Photo of Oxwich and Nicholaston Burrows

HLCA053 Oxwich and Nicholaston Burrows

Besanded landscape: buried archaeology; medieval field boundaries; and intertidal features, mostly post-medieval. Back to Map


Photo of Oxwich Marsh

HLCA054 Oxwich Marsh

Former reclaimed wetland landscape: enclosure of salt marsh; relict agricultural and water management features. Back to Map


Photo of Nicholaston Woods

HLCA055 Nicholaston Woods

Wooded cliff landscape: ancient woodland; prehistoric domestic defensive settlement; post-medieval agri-industrial activity; possible medieval associations; and tracks/footpaths.Back to Map


Photo of Nicholaston

HLCA056 Nicholaston

Medieval/post-medieval agricultural and settlement landscape and manorial centre: clustered settlement; and dispersed farmsteads; isolated late medieval church and manor house; varied fieldscape; and agri- industrial extractive features. Back to Map


Photo of Penmaen

HLCA057 Penmaen

Largely post-medieval agricultural landscape and manorial centre: ribbon development and scattered farmsteads; medieval ecclesiastical sites; agri-industrial features; and scrub and woodland. Back to Map


Photo of Penmaen and Pennard Burrows

HLCA058 Penmaen and Pennard Burrows

Besanded landscape: multi-period relict/buried archaeology; prehistoric funerary ritual features; relict medieval settlement; and agri-industrial features. Back to Map


Photo of Langland Bay Golf Course

HLCA059 Langland Bay Golf Course

Remodelled and designed former agricultural landscape: tourism and leisure; former agri-industrial features. Back to Map


Photo of Pwlldu Head

HLCA060 Pwlldu Head

Intertidal zone and unenclosed coastal cliff margin landscape: prehistoric settlement and defensive sites; caves; multi-period finds and ecofacts; agri-industrial processing; historic, largely maritime associations; and livestock management features. Back to Map


Photo of Pennard

HLCA061 Pennard

Well-preserved post-medieval/medieval agricultural landscape: fossilised medieval/early post-medieval strip fields; dispersed post-medieval agricultural settlement; post-medieval farmsteads/cottage; post-medieval agri- industrial features; isolated medieval church and early ecclesiastical associations. Back to Map


Photo of Southgate

HLCA062 Southgate

Post-medieval agricultural settlement, and later twentieth century settlement landscape: dispersed farmsteads/cottages now dominated by 20th century ribbon development and estate infilling, post-medieval vernacular architecture; and twentieth century coastal type housing including villas. Back to Map


Photo of Walterston

HLCA063 Walterston

Post-medieval agricultural landscape and former medieval grange: post-medieval enclosure and remnant medieval stripfields; scattered farmsteads; deserted medieval settlement; scrub and woodland; buried archaeology. Back to Map


Photo of Parc le Breos

HLCA064 Parc le Breos

Post-medieval agricultural landscape and former medieval deer park: irregular evolved enclosures and dispersed post-medieval farmsteads; ancient woodland; river valley landscape; relict and buried archaeology; agri-industrial features; postulated medieval ecclesiastic/manorial centre. Back to Map


Photo of Lunnon

HLCA065 Lunnon

Medieval/Post-medieval agricultural and settlement landscape and former medieval grange/manorial centre over part of deer park: largely regular fieldscape; traditional boundaries; dispersed post-medieval farmsteads; relict and buried archaeology; agri-industrial features. Back to Map


Photo of Cil Ifor

HLCA066 Cil Ifor

Prehistoric and medieval defended settlement landscape (Cil Ifor hillfort and ringwork): post-medieval agricultural enclosure; scrub and woodland; relict and buried archaeology; water features. Back to Map


Photo of Llanrhidian Higher

HLCA067 Llanrhidian Higher

Post-medieval/medieval agricultural, settlement and industrial landscape: varied, largely irregular fieldscape; medieval and early post-medieval encroachment; ancient woodland and small remnant commons; traditional boundaries; dispersed settlement, some with medieval precursors; relict and buried archaeology: deserted medieval settlements, ecclesiastic sites and prehistoric enclosures; industrial archaeology. Back to Map


Photo of Mynydd-bach-y-Cocs

HLCA068 Mynydd-bach-y-Cocs

Unenclosed common land: exploitation of natural resources; industrial features; communication routes; and water features. Back to Map


Photo of Welsh Moor and Forest Common

HLCA069 Welsh Moor and Forest Common

Unenclosed common land: unmanaged scrub; communication routes; and buried/relict archaeological features. Back to Map


Photo of Cillibion

HLCA070 Cillibion

Post-medieval agricultural and woodland landscape and former medieval grange: remnant medieval fieldscape; farmsteads; post-medieval industrial features; woodland management; deserted medieval settlement; buried archaeology; and communication routes. Back to Map


Photo of Pengwern Common

HLCA071 Pengwern Common

Unenclosed common land: unmanaged scrub; communication routes; water features; buried archaeology. Back to Map


Photo of Ilston

HLCA072 Ilston

Post-medieval/medieval agricultural and settlement landscape: varied fieldscape; woodland; nucleated settlement; medieval farmsteads; post-medieval industrial features; historical religious associations; and communication routes. Back to Map


Photo of Ilston Valley

HLCA073 Ilston Valley

River valley landscape: ancient woodland; agricultural industrial landscape with medieval origins: milling; linear settlement cluster; and non-conformist chapels. Back to Map


Photo of Fairwood Common

HLCA074 Fairwood Common

Unenclosed common land: WWII features; post-medieval industrial features; communication routes; and water features. Back to Map


Photo of Swansea Airport

HLCA075 Swansea Airport

International airport/WWII aerodrome: WWII features; former funerary and ritual sites; and former minor communication routes. Back to Map


Photo of Fairwood Park and Golf Course

HLCA076 Fairwood Park and Golf Course

Remodelled largely designed landscape: tourism and leisure; former agricultural landscape; and woodland. Back to Map


Photo of Hen Barc

HLCA077 Hen Barc

Post-medieval agricultural and woodland landscape: varied, but generally irregular fieldscape; traditional boundaries; dispersed post-medieval settlement and related features; medieval deer park; woodland management; and industrial features. Back to Map


Photo of Clyne Castle

HLCA078 Clyne Castle

Post-medieval gentry estate, designed park, and woodland landscape: gentry house, and related estate buildings; gardens and ornamental woodland park; Ancient and other woodland: woodland management features; industrial remains; medieval deer park; minor relict agricultural and transport features. Back to Map


Photo of Clyne Common

HLCA079 Clyne Common

Unenclosed common land: communication routes; leisure; water features; buried archaeology.Back to Map


Photo of Wernllath

HLCA080 Wernllath

Largely Post-medieval agricultural landscape: varied, largely irregular fieldscape pattern; early post-medieval encroachment; traditional boundaries; dispersed post-medieval settlement and related features; and relict medieval features including medieval ringwork. Back to Map


Photo of Langland Bay

HLCA081 Langland Bay

Intertidal landscape: beach and shingle; marine exploitation; trade and transportation; and shipwrecks (off shore). Back to Map


Photo of Kilvrough Manor

HLCA082 Kilvrough Manor

Post-medieval gentry estate, designed parkland landscape: well-preserved late eighteenth/early nineteenth century house and grounds; formal and informal gardens; folly; associated buildings; and historic associations. Back to Map


Photo of Newton Cliffs

HLCA083 Newton Cliffs

Unenclosed coastal margin: findspots; and footpaths. Back to Map


Photo of Bishopston Valley

HLCA084 Bishopston Valley

River valley landscape: ancient woodland; caves; prehistoric domestic/defensive settlement; industrial features; exploitation of natural resources; communication networks; post-medieval ruined buildings. Back to Map


Photo of Barland Common

HLCA085 Barland Common

Unenclosed common land: unmanaged scrub; communication routes; water features; and buried archaeology. Back to Map


Photo of Bishopston

HLCA086 Bishopston

Post-medieval/medieval settlement and agricultural landscape: nucleated settlement; post-medieval vernacular buildings; varied, formerly more regular enclosed fieldscape and road network; early medieval/medieval ecclesiastic association; rural industry - extraction/processing; and buried archaeology. Back to Map


Photo of Caswell Bay

HLCA087 Caswell Bay

Intertidal landscape: beach; buried archaeology; and fishing. Back to Map