Locks Common
Covering over 30 hectares of rugged, reasonably flat ground, Locks Common begins where the original Porthcawl promenade ended and stretches to Rest Bay beach. This varied reserve supports a huge variety of birds, butterflies and wildflowers. We manage the reserve so the local community can access nature.
Locks common begins at the end-point of Porthcawl promenade, and continues through to Rest Bay in the west. Locks common is a perfect place for walks with panoramic views of Rest Bay and the Bristol Channel. On a clear day, the Devon coastline and Swansea Bay can be seen in the distance.
Natural features
The site’s limestone pavement is scattered over two hectares. An unusual feature in Bridgend County Borough’s nature reserves, it’s a habitat for species you’re unlikely to see elsewhere. These include salad burnet, eyebright and squinancywort. This important limestone feature means Locks Common is a Regionally Important Geological Site (RIGS) as well as a Local Nature Reserve.
You can find the beautiful blue flower of spring squill beyond the limestone area and the pathways. Also, you’ll probably find our resident stonechats. These small birds flicker their wings while perched and are often seen on the tops of low bushes. As the name suggests, they utter sharp loud calls that sound like two stones tapping together.
Plant species:
- bird’s foot trefoil
- eyebright
- heather
- rock samphire
- salad burnet
- spring squill
- squinancywort
Animal species:
- blue tit
- fox
- harbour porpoise
- kestrel
- lesser black backed gull
- robin
- rock pipit
- skylark
- stonechat
If you spot these or other species, please take a photo and show us via social media.
Footpath
Several footpaths cross the reserve. Also, modern pedestrian and cycle paths run parallel to the common, and lead to Rest Bay. There are large areas of limestone pavement, but as it is uneven, it may be difficult for wheelchairs and pushchairs. In general, footpaths over natural areas may be muddy and uneven in parts.
Location
Locks Common
Address:
Mallard Way,
Porthcawl,
CF36 3HU.
Access is from the end of the promenade in Porthcawl town or from Rest Bay to the town’s west. Public car parks are in Porthcawl town centre, and parking is available around Rest Bay.
Local history
Locks Common has a long history of sheep and cattle grazing. Also it has been used for military training, and before the first world war, it was a golf course. The reserve begins at Porthcawl promenade, which was built in 1887 to celebrate Queen Victoria’s jubilee year.