In the middle ages the forest was mainly oak and ash and was an important Royal hunting ground, while until the 20th Century wood from the forest was harvested to fuel the industrial needs of South Wales. As well as playing its part in the industrial revolution, timber was taken from the forest during the First World War to produce naphtha for use in making explosives. In 1919 the Forestry Commission became managers of the forest, creating its present status as a multi-purpose forest for timber production, recreation and wildlife conservation
Upland woods and Forests situated within the boundaries of the National Park, an area of hills and waterfalls, spectacular views and peaceful reservoirs. Situated within several counties including Powys, Merthyr Tydfil and Rhondda Cynon Taff
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Situated within several counties including Powys, Merthyr Tydfil and Rhondda Cynon Taff
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The forest has a mixture of diverse habitats, species and archaeology as a result of the geology, topography and climate. Coed y Brenin is a unique forest that is also home to a number of people that continue to farm the smallholdings within the area.Coed y Brenin Forest is host to common and rare species and habitats. From the chaffinches that eat the left over bits of cake at the café to the elusive pine marten. It is this diversity that makes the forest a really interesting place to visit.
A mature conifer forest with hidden gems such as the Nant Carn Valley with native woodland and stream habitat. Ponds through the wood are a surprise encounter for those who walk off the beaten track. The Nantcarn valley has become a haven for people and wildlife.
Dyfi forest lies to the east and south east of Cader Idris and is surrounded by the communities of Machynlleth, Corris, Ceinws, Dinas Mawddwy, Pennal and Aberangell. The forest has a mixture of habitats and species. Many of the old structures, levels and adits are important for many rare plant species as well as bat roosts and hibernation areas. Dyfi Forest is host to common and rare species and habitats. It is this diversity that makes the forest a really interesting place to visit.
A beautiful, mainly broadleaved woodland which is very accessible from Cardiff City. One of the best woodlands in South Wales for its display of Bluebells. The beech woods are some of the most westerly natural Beech in the UK and are protected.
Gwydyr Forest is located in the heart of the Snowdonia National Park. It is host to a mixture of diverse habitats and species and is a key site to watch wildlife as there is so much to see and do. There are upland lakes, major rivers, upland oak woodlands, large conifers and open spaces, all of which provide a varied habitat for all sorts of birds, mammals and plants.
The Hafod estate is an amazing woodland that has been manipulated and planted with some extremely interesting and rare tree and plant species. Here Kites and buzzard are common with the more smaller bird species frequenting the oak woodland such as pied flycatchers and greater spotted woodpeckers. The whole forest is a PAWS site (plantation on an ancient woodland site) and as such the intention is to manage the forest to encourage more broadleaf woodland using sensitive methods of thinning.
The forest of Mynydd Du lies in the upper reaches of the Grwyne Fawr on the southern side of the Black Mountains. Until the 19th century the valley was intensively settled with over 30 farmsteads surrounded by small stone-walled fields.
This area of Wales is the stronghold of the Red Kite with up to 20% of the population nesting within the Forestry Commission woodlands. Red Kites are the easiest big raptor to spot with their distinctive large forked red tail.
Pembrey is one of Britian's sand dune forests, woodlands that are unusual and have become objects of great interest to naturalists. The forest is classified as a Nature Reserve and covers 1000 hectares. It is home to many rare botanical species, 35 species of butterfly, many migrant songbirds as well as birds of prey which include sparrowhawk and goshawk. Pembrey forest also forms part of a Special Site of Scientific Interest.
Talybont forest lies along the side of Glyn Collwn and the Talybont Reservoir. At the head of the forest are the waterfalls of Blaen-y-glyn. At the end of the 19th century the valley contained at least ten farms. Small fields with stone walls surrounded each farmstead, and the nearby woodland provided timber for building and wood for fuel. During the 19th century limestone was quarried and transported along the Bryn Oer tramway and Brecon Merthyr railway to the mountains of South Wales.
Four waymarked walks begin from The Arch Picnic Site, through a variety of terrain. The view of the surrounding mountains of Mid-Wales from the Panorama Walk is incredible.
The Wye Valley is recognised as one of the most beautiful woodlands in Britain, with most of it's 4,300 hectares lying within an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. These woodlands are predominantly broadleaf with a mix of mature oak and beech as well as other species such as ash, cherry and small leafed lime. During April and early May a carpet of bluebells adorns many of these woods as well as other species such as celandine, wood anemone and wild garlic. The historic Wye Valley Walk passes north/south through Tintern and then for long stretches of Forestry Commission woodlands up until Monmouth.
