Coed y Bedw – Pentyrch

Pied Flycatcher

Pied flycatcher (Ficedula hypoleuca) male perched, Wales, UK - Mark Hamblin/2020VISION

Coed y Bedw – Pentyrch

Ancient broadleaved woodland, which is located across the boundary between acidic and calcareous soils.

Location

Pentyrch.
A static map of Coed y Bedw – Pentyrch

Know before you go

Size
17 hectares
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Parking information

Parking is limited.

Walking trails

Footpaths can be muddy and there are some steps and stiles.

Access

3 km north-west of Cardiff. The reserve can be reached from the east via the Taff’s Well junction on the A470 Cardiff to Merthyr Tydfil trunk road north of the M4. Take the Pentyrch Road over Ynys Bridge, and turn right to Heol Berri Green, Gwaelod-y-Garth. From the west via the Llantrisant road (A4119) and then minor roads to Pentyrch. 

Bus number 136 from Cardiff to Gwaelod-y-Garth.

Dogs

On a lead

When to visit

Opening times

Open access reserve.

Best time to visit

May-Aug, Jun-Aug, Oct-Feb

About the reserve

Coed-y-bedw consists of various woodland types. Much of the site occupies a steep north-facing slope following the Garth Hill Coal Measures and the Carboniferous limestone of the Little Garth. Wet Alder woodland in the wetter valley bottom grades through Oak/Birch mixed deciduous woodland to Beech woodland in the northern and western areas. Mixed Ash woodland is locally dominant on the limestone areas to the south.

Two lime-rich springs arise in the southwest of the site and join the acidic stream Nant Cwmllwydrew flowing eastward along the valley floor. This mixture of acidic and calcareous water in the drainage system supports an interesting assemblage of invertebrates, including the uncommon Giant Lacewing, whose larvae develop in the moss clad banks of the streams.

Download the site map