I walked Nicholaston Woods and Oxwich Bay on a warm late-spring day, when the air felt close in the woods but the coast carried a cooling breeze. The drive down toward Penmaen was steady, though parking on the roadside was limited and required a bit of patience before I found a space. From there, I tightened my boots, shouldered a small pack, and set off along the woodland trail.
The first stretch ran under a dense canopy, the path narrow and uneven with roots snaking across it. The air was heavy with the smell of wild garlic and damp earth. Sunlight broke through in patches, but mostly it was shaded, almost enclosed. My boots caught mud in the damper sections, though the ground was firm enough in most places after a few dry days.
The steady climb through the woods was never steep but constant, and I could feel the effort building in my legs. At one point the trees thinned enough to give a teasing glimpse of Oxwich Bay below, the tide pulling slowly out and the sand glinting in the sun.
After twenty minutes, the path began to drop, sandy underfoot and loose in places. Careful footing was needed, but soon the woodland gave way completely and the bay opened wide. The transition was striking: enclosed woodland behind, open coast ahead. The tide was well out, leaving a vast stretch of sand that felt almost empty despite a few scattered groups.
I stepped onto the beach and headed toward the waterline, the sand firm and easy to walk. A steady breeze came in off the sea, welcome after the warmth of the woods. I stopped briefly to take in the sweep of the bay — cliffs rising at either end, the village of Oxwich sitting quietly in the distance.
I followed the shoreline for a while, boots crunching on patches of shell and driftwood. The beach was long enough to settle into a rhythm, the sea keeping a steady soundtrack. A family ahead played with a football on the sand, their dog racing in circles, but otherwise the bay felt calm and spacious.
Turning back inland, the climb felt sharper in reverse. The sandy surface gave little grip, forcing a steady pace. Back under the trees, the air was still close and warm, the contrast with the open beach clear. By the time I reached the roadside again, my boots carried a mix of sand and mud — a fair summary of the terrain.
Back at the car, I swapped boots for trainers before the drive home, glad of the breeze through the open window.
Nicholaston Woods and Oxwich Bay is a walk of contrasts. The shaded woodland feels enclosed and humid, while the beach is open, breezy, and expansive. It’s not a long route, but the sandy climbs and uneven woodland paths add challenge. It’s the kind of walk that feels balanced — effort rewarded by space, shade traded for sea air.
– **Distance**: Around 3–4 miles (out and back).
– **Weather**: Warm late spring, shaded woodland, steady coastal breeze.
– **Terrain**: Woodland tracks, sandy descents, firm beach.
– **Parking**: Limited roadside spaces near Penmaen.
– **Gear**: Boots with grip, light clothing, water for the climb back.
