Showing posts with label Newport. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Newport. Show all posts

Saturday, 1 November 2014

Newport Wetlands

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Newport Wetlands - image from www.dragonfly-days.co.uk

Newport Wetlands is a nature reserve run by Newport Council, Natural Resources Wales, and the RSPB. We usually start our walk from the path that runs along the Uskmouth Power Station, near the car park exit. The initial walk isn't particularly scenic, with views of heavy industry on your right, and noisy pylons on your left. But keep going and once you're past the power station, you'll be rewarded with magnificent views of the Severn Estuary. At the lighthouse you can cut back to the car park through the wetlands and past the visitor centre. Some of the footpaths do not allow dogs in order to protect the birds, but these are clearly marked. If you're a nature enthusiast, the 'Seasonal Highlights' section of their website is worth a look before you go. The dusk starling display from October onwards is apparently not to be missed, with 50,000 starlings flying at the season's peak (and now I have Hard-Fi's 'Living for the Weekend' song from that Carling advert stuck in my head).

http://www.rspb.org.uk/discoverandenjoynature/seenature/reserves/guide/n/newportwetlands/

Useful Info

Free parking
Wheelchair and buggy friendly
Cafe
Visitor Centre
Guided walks

Wentwood Forest

wentwood
Wentwood Forest - image from www.thetimes.co.uk

Wentwood Forest near Llanvair Discoed is a great place for an Autumn walk. The forest is ancient; it used to be the hunting grounds of Chepstow Castle. It sprawls over 1000 acres, so it's difficult to know where to start walking, but there are routes available to download here http://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/mediafile/100081485/wentwood-walks.pdf from the Woodland Trust. From the end of November you can pick up your Christmas tree and get a hot chocolate from here too!

I've been going to Wentwood since I was a kid in the 80s, and this was my favourite bit:

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Wentwood Assault Course - www.caldicot.com/enjoy/wentwood.html

Does anyone know if this is still here? I've been keeping a look out for the Krypton Factor style assault course but I cant find it. Wentwood is so big I could easily have missed it, but I've got a feeling it's been pulled down. I'd be grateful if someone could tell me!

Useful Info

Free parking
Bring your wellies!