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Walk 14 Thursday 13 April
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Distance: 7.2 miles (circular)
Duration: Allow 4 hours Difficulty: Moderate distance over easy terrain with one footbridge (steps) Bring: Picnic, drinks and a camera Meeting Point and Parking: 10:00am at Caldicot Castle car park, Church Road, Caldicot NP26 4HU ST486884 ///bonds.anchorman.fishery Public Transport: Newport Bus service X74 (Chepstow-Caldicot-Newport) passes through the centre of Caldicot. This walk is not suitable for dogs |
We leave the 12th century Caldicot Castle and make our way through the country park to the Military Railway which linked the main line to Caerwent base. At the end of the line we enter The Cornfield Project and then pass through Harold's Field to Portskewett Church. Then via a little road walking and across fields we walk through Portskewett into a wooded area to the railway which we cross to St Pierre Pill where we will stop for lunch.
After a short break we join the Wales Coast Path to Black Rock where we will meet a statue of Thomas Walker who represents all those who built the three Severn river crossings and another statue of Martin Morgan who is a Lave Net Fisherman. Continuing along the Coast Path gets us to Sudbrook (built by Thomas Walker for Severn Tunnel workers). After a brief stop in the Tunnel Museum we walk across the only Iron Age Promontory Fort with its own football pitch! The last section of the Coast Path takes us back to the Castle.
After a short break we join the Wales Coast Path to Black Rock where we will meet a statue of Thomas Walker who represents all those who built the three Severn river crossings and another statue of Martin Morgan who is a Lave Net Fisherman. Continuing along the Coast Path gets us to Sudbrook (built by Thomas Walker for Severn Tunnel workers). After a brief stop in the Tunnel Museum we walk across the only Iron Age Promontory Fort with its own football pitch! The last section of the Coast Path takes us back to the Castle.
On this walk, we’ll be exploring the history of the Offa’s Dyke Scheduled Monument, the conservation efforts currently being undertaken to protect the monument and the wildlife around it. Starting off across the Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust reserve at The Park, we’ll then make our way to the section of the Offa’s Dyke Path National Trail which is under the guardianship of English Heritage. This section of the Trail which runs through not only two Sites of Special Scientific Interest but also a Special Area of Conservation, has undergone significant improvement works in recent years led by the Gloucestershire Public Rights of Way Team in conjunction with Historic England, Forestry England, and local landowners. It has stunning viewpoints at several places, including at the Devils Pulpit which is matched by some truly unique sections of the ancient scheduled monument itself where you can see every aspect of this structure, exactly as it was built hundreds of years ago to stop invading forces. Just before the final piece of the walk we’ll take a quick visit to Chase Farm, for those who wish to taste some of the several flavours of ice cream made and sold here. Then we’ll finish the walk as we started with a stroll across another key SSSI and GWT wildlife site at Poor’s Allotment, which this time last year was hosting a rare visitor in the form of a Dartford Warbler. What spring migrants might we see and hear this year?
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Walk 16 Thursday 13 April
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Distance: 6 miles (circular)
Duration: Allow 3-4 hours Difficulty: Moderate with some ascents Bring: Picnic, drinks and a camera Meeting Point and Parking: 10:00am layby off the A48 just west of Five Lanes WRC and next to Tabernacle United Reform Church, Llanvaches NP26 3AY ST438912 ///raven.health.flap Public Transport: Newport Bus service 73 (Chepstow-Caerwent-Newport) passes the meeting point. This walk is not suitable for dogs |
This walk explores the countryside and places of worship connected with the Puritan preacher William Wroth at a time immediately prior to the Civil War. We will discover the church of St Dubricius at Llanvaches, where he was rector, and the first independent church in Wales as well as other churches and villages closely connected with the cleric's life.
Walk 17 Thursday 13 April
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Distance: 6 miles (circular)
Duration: Allow 3-4 hours Difficulty: Moderate Bring: Picnic, drinks and a camera Meeting Point and Parking: 10:00am at The Star On The Hill car park, Llanfihangel Tor-Y-Mynydd NP15 1DT SO459022 ///reporters.juggled.them This walk is not suitable for dogs |
Those that live locally will be familiar with the sweeping views from the Trellech Ridge which are simply breathtaking. On this walk we take a circular route encompassing woodland and open farmland before visiting Llanfihangel Tor y Mynydd wildlife reserve where we get up close to red deer and the remote church close by.
Walk 18 Thursday 13 April
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Distance: 6 miles (circular)
Duration: Allow 3-4 hours Difficulty: Easy to Moderate Bring: Snacks, dog treats, drinks and a camera Meeting Point and Parking: 10:00am at Woolaston Memorial Hall, Swains Field, Woolaston GL15 6SU SO596003 ///calibrate.teaching.civil. Please park at the far end of the car park to assist hall users. This walk is suitable for well-behaved dogs on leads; one dog per owner please. |
A delightful walk through the best of the local Gloucestershire countryside. Beautiful views, fast flowing streams, woods and lakes make this walk varied and interesting. Woolaston has an excellent pub, serving real ale and delicious food (need to book) plus there is a well stocked village shop, post office and newsagent.
Starting from the village of The Narth, we will explore ancient Manor Wood and the forests and heathlands of Beacon Hill, looking out for interesting trees as we go - including a visit to the imposing Pen y Fan Redwoods. Our route will also take us to the highest point in the Lower Wye Valley and two picturesque viewpoints looking south over the River Wye and west towards the distant Black Mountains and Brecon Beacons. We return to The Narth, along its historic lanes and footpaths.
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Join members of the MonLife Team for this fascinating walk in Rogiet Countryside Park. Why do bats come out at night? Why do they hang upside down? Which is the smallest bat? What do they eat? Find out the answers to these questions and lots more! We will hopefully see bats and have a chance to use electronic bat detectors which will allow us to hear them in flight. Bring a torch and come with suitable clothing and footwear for a walk in the park in the dark!
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