Countryside links

• Bargoed wildlife
• Parc Coetir Bargoed
• Bargoed Park
• Parc Cwm Darren

Contact

Norman Liversuch
Manager Countryside and Landscape
Directorate of the Environment
Caerphilly County Borough Council
Pontllanfraith House
Pontllanfraith
Blackwood
NP12 2YW

Tel: 01495 235312
Fax: 01495 235022
EMail: countryside@caerphilly.gov.uk

Countryside

Bargoed is surrounded by beautiful parkland and countryside that includes both our largest urban park and our newest country park in the county borough. At over 19 hectares Bargoed Park is the largest urban park and has a wide range of facilities but is probably best known for its wonderful floral harp.

The newest country park in the county borough, Parc Coetir Bargod was created from 3 collieries and provides an ideal place for local families to visit where they may be able to see dippers, kingfishers and other wildlife in the River Rhymney. In 2002, grant aid from Cydcoed has enabled a number of artists to enrich this park with pieces of artwork. The new road scheme will traverse this park and the new bridge across the River Rhymney has been designed to suit its country park location and form a landmark structure. The bridge, currently under construction, will be a 120 m graceful four span structure, reaching a full height of 24 m above the valley floor. As part of the integrated transport scheme for the area, a cycleway will also be constructed along the valley floor, which will add an additional 2 km to the existing Rhymney Valley Linear Route. The cycleway and a footpath will pass under the span of the new bridge.

Wild Orchids

Just 2 miles up the road from Bargoed is Parc Cwm Darren, which has activities for all the family from peaceful walks beside the lake through to an adventure playground for the young at heart. For visitors to the area there is a seasonal campsite and coffee shop, coupled with a network of Waymarked trails and cycle paths. Parc Cwm Darren plays host to a number of family events, which have included circus skills and DJ-ing workshops, arts & crafts and storytelling.

Close to Bargoed are some of the rarest butterflies in Britain and special reserves have been created for them at Aberbargoed Grasslands.