Walk 14 Friday 17th April
A Coastal Stroll or a Quantum Leap?
A moderate and fairly level wander along the banks of the Severn. We visit an iron age fort, one of the smallest active churches in the UK, an unusual modern "lighthouse", a church with a grand view, and circumnavigate a nuclear power station. The power station is now decommissioned and the area surrounding it has become a fascinating nature reserve.
Distance: 5.5 miles (linear using the No 69 and No 65 buses)
Duration: Allow 5.5 hours including bus journeys Difficulty: Moderate Bring: Picnic, drinks and a camera Meeting Point: 10:00am at Chepstow Bus Station (bus departs 10:20) Parking: Free in Castle Dell car park, Bridge Street, Chepstow NP16 5EY ST535942 (all-day parking voucher provided which must be displayed in the vehicle). Please allow time to collect the voucher and make your way to the bus station Public Transport: this walk takes the No 69 bus to Bigsweir and returns via the No 65 bus from Trellech. Wales bus pass accepted - fares included in ticket price for non-passholders. This walk is suitable for well-behaved dogs used to bus travel |
Taking the No 69 Bus through Tintern and the Lower Wye Valley to the historic Bigsweir Bridge, we walk along the bank of the River Wye, before exploring the hidden valley and industrial heritage of Whitebrook. Crossing the stepping stones, we ascend ancient trackways through the Margarets Wood Nature Reserve and the small meadows around The Narth, before emerging onto the forests and heaths of Trellech Common and making our final descent with magnificent views as we approach the ancient village of Trellech with its imposing church spire. At the finish of the walk will be an option to purchase tea and cake at “Trellech Teas” which operates in support of local charities before catching the '65' at 14:50 for a delightful scenic return journey.
Distance: 5 miles (circular)
Duration: Allow 4 hours Difficulty: Moderate to Strenuous (One steep descent and a long ascent) Bring: A picnic, drinks and a camera Meeting Point & Parking: 10:00am in Offa's Dyke car park, off the B4228 Coleford Road, Tidenham Chase GL15 6PT ST558992 This walk is suitable for active dogs |
A newly devised route starting with the Parson’s and Poor’s Allotments Nature Reserves. Then moving onto a circular walk around Tintern Quarry (on the English side of the River Wye) along a recently reopened Public Footpath and a section of the Offa’s Dyke Path National Trail. This provides stunning views of the Wye Valley (and a glimpse of the Bristol Channel if lucky) on the descent as well as the spectacular vista of the quarry cutting. There is also the hidden gem of the railway tunnel on the ascent from the River. Once back to the Offa’s Dyke Path we return to the start through a different section of the Parson’s Allotment and across The Park Nature Reserve. Hopefully the walk will offer lots of varied wildlife / birdlife.
Walk 17 Friday 17th April
Hidden Caldicot
This walk visits hidden gems in Caldicot including a Bronze Age site, an 11th century dwelling, the longest tunnel in the world and home/grave of inventor HE Jones before returning to our start point. Opportunity to visit Dewstow Gardens and Grottoes at Group Discount rates after the walk.
Walk 18 Friday 17th April
Chepstow Park Wood and Devauden with Llamas
A pleasant woodland walk through Chepstow Park Wood and around Devauden with far-reaching views to the Black Mountains and stunning Monmouthshire countryside, hopefully with a chance of seeing bluebells. At the end there is an optional llama experience!
Walk 19 Friday 17th April
A Circular Walk on Offa with the National Trail Officer
We once again welcome Rob Dingle, National Trail Officer for the Offa’s Dyke Path, who will lead a walk from Brockweir along the Path to Bigsweir with sweeping views along the way, then a gentle return following the Wye back to Tintern.
Walk 20 Friday 17th April
Llandogo and Trellech
Distance: 8 miles (circular)
Duration: Allow 5 hours Difficulty: Strenuous (one long 190M climb at the start) Bring: Picnic, drinks and a camera Meeting Point & Parking: 10:30am in Llandogo Village Hall car park Parking: roadside around Llandogo Village Hall, The Woodlands, Llandogo NP25 4SR SO527043 (please park considerately) This walk is not suitable for dogs |
The walk begins by climbing the beautiful Cleddon valley to the impressive falls. It then proceeds through woodland to Beacon Hill before emerging to glorious views overlooking Trellech towards the Blorenge and Sugar Loaf mountains. After a lunch stop in Trellech the walk proceeds towards Ninewells Wood gaining extensive views over the Wye Valley towards the Severn Estuary. Cleddon Falls are reached before dropping down into Llandogo via an alternative route.
Walk 21 Friday 17th April
St Arvans, Itton and Oakgrove Stud
Distance: 4.5 miles (circular)
Duration: Allow 3 hours Difficulty: Easy to moderate Bring: Snacks, drinks and a camera Meeting Point & Parking: 10:30am in the Piercefield Arms car park, A466 St Arvans NP16 6EJ ST518963 Public Transport: The 10:20 No. 69 bus from Chepstow to Monmouth via Tintern drops off at The Piercefield, St Arvans at 10:28, returning hourly at 49 minutes past the hour. If planning to arrive by bus please let us know when booking. This walk is not suitable for dogs |
This walk combines a visit and talk at Oakgrove Stud at St Arvans. After a lovely walk across open pasture with fabulous views across the Monmouthshire countryside, we'll then visit Oakgrove Stud who are offering a rare opportunity to visit and meet some of their very cute residents! Opportunity for lunch at The Piercefield Inn on our return.
Workshop Friday 17th April
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Sponsored by Kevin Walker Mountain Activities |
Where: 3:00-5:00pm in The Regency Room, The Beaufort Hotel, Beaufort Square, Chepstow NP16 5EP
Parking: Free for walkers in Castle Dell car park, Bridge Street, Chepstow NP16 5EY Voucher must be displayed - collect from Chepstow Tourist Information Centre This stand-alone event is not included in the Festival Super Saver Offer |
Whether paper or digital, map interpretation is a key skill for anyone looking to enjoy the countryside. This session teaches how to correctly translate maps into a rich and incredibly detailed understanding of the terrain using easily grasped techniques - once you have been introduced to this simple yet effective skill, you will never look at a map in quite the same way again.
Presentation Friday 17th April
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Sponsored by Kevin Walker Mountain Activities |
Where: 7:00-9:00pm at Chepstow Conservative Club, 10 Moor Street, Chepstow NP16 5DD
Parking: Free after 6:00pm in Welsh Street car park, Dell View, Chepstow NP16 5EJ ST532939 Please note: this is a stand-alone event which is not included in the super-saver package. Tickets are £3.00 per person either in advance or on the door. |
For most people, wandering through the beautiful landscape of the Brecon Beacons is pleasure enough, but sooner or later you may begin to wonder about that little bird or flower that you keep on seeing. During this profusely illustrated audio-visual show, author and mountain leader Kevin Walker will take you on a journey of discovery through the Nature of the Brecon Beacons. His aim is to get you to look at things… not just glance or simply admire the big picture, but to stop and examine the smaller things; to appreciate the exquisite detail of the amazing nature that surrounds us.