News & Events
May 2013
Rare Goshawks return to Cwmcarn Forest Drive
Bird lovers can once again keep a 24 hour watch over a nest of rare Goshawks at Cwmcarn Forest.
A live webcam provides round the clock images of the nest at a secret location within the forest. The Council, Forestry Commission Wales and Carnyx set up the 'nest-cam' for birdwatchers and visitors to Cwmcarn Forest to see the birds without disturbing them.
Known as 'the phantoms of the forest', only 500 breeding pairs of goshawks exist in the UK, so it is an amazing sight to be able to see these rare birds up close and personal via the 'nest-cam'.
This project is a partnership between Caerphilly County Borough Council, the Forestry Commission Wales and Carnyx.
March 2013
Caerphilly Challenge Series 2013
The Ridgeway
Saturday 11th May 2013
For a few the Challenge continues...For many the Challenge begins!
Following 2012’s hugely successful Caerphilly Challenge Series opener with the Twmbarlwm Trek, the challenge continues along the equally famous Rhymney Valley Ridge with its challenging terrain and commanding views.
Caerphilly County Borough Council’s Countryside and Landscape Service, in conjunction with Bedwas High School, Caerphilly Adventure Group, Ramblers Cymru and other partners, are once again throwing down a challenge to walkers of all abilities.
From a 1 mile stroll along the banks of the Rhymney River’ to taking up the challenge of the monstrous 22 mile ‘Ridgeway’, there will be a Challenge walk to suit you - no matter how fit you are! This years event has four Challenges.
The 22 mile Ridgeway (self led Challenge) Entry Fee £10.00
A monster of a route that encircles the hills and commons of Caerphilly County Borough, with superb panoramic views of the Bristol Channel and the Brecon Beacons. This route can be viewed on our countryside webpage.
The 16 mile Ridgeway (self led Challenge) Entry Fee £10.00
A tough endurance test for those who fancy a stern test of stamina, with a route that shows off the glorious countryside of the county, South Wales and the Bristol Channel. This route can be viewed on our countryside webpage.
The 9 mile ‘Ramblers Cymru’ Challenge (Led walk) Entry Fee £10.00
A shorter walk compared to the 2 big ones, however she packs a punch! No fear of getting lost on this one, as someone will be leading you. Max entry for this one is 200 walkers, so book early to avoid disappointment!
The 1-5 mile ‘Lets Walk Cymru’ Challenge (Led walk) Free
If you don’t fancy so many hills, then the Bedwas Riverside Park offers a range of shorter flatter led walks from 1 to 5 miles. There is no charge for the ‘Lets Walk Cymru’ Challenge. No pre entry is required, just turn up at 10.15am on the 11th of May, fill in a registration form and health questionnaire and be ready to walk by 11.00am.
Please note that no entries will be accepted on the day for the 9, 16 or 23 mile routes.
For more information or to book your place online visit: http://your.caerphilly.gov.uk/countryside/caerphillychallengeseries
Alternatively, contact Brian Begg on 07788547350 or Andy Powell on 01495 235092.
January 2013
Walk your way into the New Year!
Is your New Year’s resolution to enjoy the outdoors and to walk more to get fit? This New Year, Caerphilly County Borough offers excellent trails and walking routes through many beautiful green spaces.
From the 12 mile 'Raven Walk' at Cwmcarn Forest to short healthy walks and guided walks there is something for everyone. Not forgetting the opportunity to take part in walks along the National Cycle Network Route 47 which travels through the county borough from Nelson to Risca. Our county borough also has numerous country parks with easy to walk, well maintained routes. All you need to take part is a good, comfortable pair of shoes and warm, waterproof clothing.
The health benefits associated with walking are immense, not only for physical health but mental too. Walking is also a great way to spend time with the family.
For more information visit the Council’s Walking web page.
19th October 2012
Walking the Gren Way
Esteemed guests and pupils from Hengoed Primary School were among the first to take a stroll along the new Gren Way walking route in Hengoed last week before seeing a new bench dedicated to the much-loved Valley's cartoonist, Grenfell Jones.
9th August 2012
Cyclists aHoy! Plenty of brilliant biking available throughout Caerphilly
The action in the Olympic Velodrome may have come to a close, but with Team GB's cyclists winning a total of 12 Olympic medals so far, Caerphilly county borough is the perfect place to feel inspired to power the pedals like Pendleton and work those wheels like Wiggins.
With the Olympic BMX and Mountain Biking finals still to look forward to, and the Tour of Britain bringing the cream of cycling to Caerphilly in September, people are being encouraged to hop on their bikes and enjoy the beautiful bike trails that the borough has to offer.
Anyone can get out and enjoy cycling, with a sprawling network of cyclist friendly trails across the borough, suitable for all ages and abilities.
There are plenty of picturesque off-road routes and numerous twisting trails through our towns and villages for budding bikers to enjoy. From the 15.5km Twrch Trail which winds through Cwmcarn Forest, across to Aberbargoed and New Tredegar, where a 2km cycle route takes riders along a disused rail line with superb views, there really is a route for everyone.
Following Team GB's cycling successes, Cllr Tom Williams, Caerphilly County Borough Council's Cabinet Member for Highways, Transportation and Engineering has encouraged people to start cycling. He said, "Children, families and serious cyclists can all experience the excitement of riding a bike, right here in our county borough. Team GB's cycling team have been an inspiration to the whole nation, and I would encourage everyone in the borough to build on their successes by making our vast network of cycle tracks some of the most used in the country."
For information about all the cycle routes throughout the borough visit
www.caerphilly.gov.uk/countryside or www.caerphilly.gov.uk/loopsandlinks
Summer Fun!
The summer holidays are here, below are some fun filled ideas to pass the time.
Coal, Celts and Contrasts Walk at Cwmcarn Forest Drive
Saturday 21 July
10.00am - 3.00pm.
Price - £3.50 per adult, £2.50p per child.
Booking essential.
This is an exhilarating 7-mile walk taking in amazing views and scenery with just a bit of history thrown in! You will need sturdy walking gear. Please bring a packed lunch. On your return you will have a tea/coffee and cup cake.
Monsters and Magic - children’s activity day at Llancaiach Fawr
Monsters and Magic themed day, lots of activities and games for children.
Wednesday 26th July
Children’s activity 11.00am to 4.00pm
Manor House open 10.00am - 5.00pm
Suitable for children up to 11yrs.
Children must be accompanied by an adult.
Normal Manor House entry fee includes access to the activities.
Activities only ticket £4.25 per child, accompanying adults free of charge.
Junior Rangers at Cwmcarn Forest Drive
Wednesday 1st August and 15th August
1.00pm - 3.00pm.
Price - £1.50 per child.
Booking essential.
Ever wanted to be a Countryside Ranger and join in all the cool things that rangers do every day? Well guess what!? Now you can, and all you need to do to be a part of all the fun is join the Junior Rangers!
Favourite storybook characters at Llancaiach Fawr
Wednesday 1st August
Suitable for 3-12 year olds.
Indoor and outdoor activities.
Dress up your children as their favourite characters.
Please note: No unaccompanied adults or children.
Normal Manor House entry fee includes access to the activities.
Activities only ticket £4.25 per child, accompanying adults free of charge.
King's Day at Llancaiach Fawr
Sunday 5th August
King Charles I meets with Colonel Prichard to discuss the war over a feast in his honour.
Sultan’s Summer Sessions at Parc Penallta
Monday 6th - Friday 10th August
Join us for a week of fund packed family activities at Parc Penallta. Catch a dragon or surf the skies! There will be a wide range of wildlife and countryside related activities to enjoy with something to interest all ages.
www.caerphilly.gov.uk/countryside
Moth Night at Cwmcarn Forest Drive
Friday 10th August
9.00pm - till late.
Price - £1.50 per adult, £0.50 per child.
Booking essential.
Join us for the second in our monthly meets to observe the colourful and fascinating lives of these spectacular overlooked creatures. We will be setting out the light traps at dusk until late, and will provide tea and coffee. Please remember to bring a torch.
Toy Bag Decorating at Cwmcarn Forest Drive
Saturday 11th August
12.00pm - 4.00pm.
Price - £2.00 per child.
Booking essential.
Join Marion the Bag Lady to create your own toy bag using craft materials. (no stitching involved)
Hedgehog Meet and Greet at Cwmcarn Forest Drive
Sunday 12 August
12.00pm - 1.00pm, 1.00pm - 2.00pm and 2.30pm - 4.00pm.
Price - £1 per adult, £0.50 per child.
Booking essential.
Join Keith and his spiky little friends. Your chance to see these secretive creatures up close.
Pirates and Princesses - Children’s activity day at Llancaiach Fawr
Wednesday 15th August
Childrens' activity 11.00am to 4.00pm.
Manor House open 10.00am - 5.00pm.
Suitable for children up to 11yrs.
Children must be accompanied by an adult.
Normal Manor House entry fee includes access to the activities.
Activities only ticket £4.25 per child, accompanying adults free of charge.
Come and train to be a pirate and take part in the pirate battles, princesses also welcome! There will also be a bouncy castle, sand, water and slides, as well as craft activities and games for children.
Superheros - Childrens' activity day at Llancaiach Fawr
Wednesday 22nd August
Childrens' activity 11.00am to 4.00pm.
Manor House open 10.00am - 5.00pm.
Suitable for children up to 11yrs.
Children must be accompanied by an adult.
Normal Manor House entry fee includes access to the activities.
Activities only ticket £4.25 per child, accompanying adults free of charge.
Our last childrens activity day of the season. Come and meet the superheroes, and take part in the craft activities and games for children.
Barking Mad Dog Show at Llancaiach Fawr
Bank Holiday Monday 27th August
Admission £1 adults, 50p concessions - all other proceeds to Hope Rescue.
The Birds are back in town!
Bird lovers can now keep a 24 hour watch over a nest of rare Goshawks at Cwmcarn Forest.
A live webcam is available where you can keep up to date as the proud parents take care of their chicks at a secret location within the forest.
The Council, Forestry Commission Wales and Carnyx set up the 'nest-cam' for birdwatchers and visitors to Cwmcarn Forest to see the birds without disturbing them.
Known as 'the phantoms of the forest', only 500 breeding pairs of goshawks exist in the UK, so it is an amazing sight to be able to see these rare birds up close and personal via the 'nest-cam'.
This project is a partnership between Caerphilly County Borough Council, the Forestry Commission Wales and Carnyx.
To see the webcam or for more information, please visit www.cwmcarnforest.co.uk
For a Healthy Life… iWalk
Spring is in the air… so why not put a spring in your step with a walk at one of Caerphilly county borough's country parks?
The county borough's country parks have great heritage to share - and visitors to two of the country parks can even make use of exciting audio trails to enable them to find out more as they walk around.
Audio trails are recorded guides that can be downloaded to digital media players e.g. MP3 player, iPod, mobile phone or PDA to accompay you on your walk. There are currently two available - the history of Parc Cwm Darran and the sculptures of Parc Penallta.
And for those explorers who would like to make discoveries along their path, at Parc Penallta each sculpture holds a tag that can be read by mobile phones linking to the Audio Trails webpage
Twmbarlwm Trek
12th May 2012
Caerphilly County Borough Council’s Countryside and Landscape Service, in conjunction with Cwmcarn High School and other partners, are once again throwing down a challenge to walkers of all abilities.
No matter how fit you are, there will be Challenge Walk to suit you from a canal-side 1 miler to the monster Twmbarlwm 23 miler.
Part one of the Challenge Series kicks off on Saturday 12th May with the return of the classic Twmbarlwm Trek.
For the most experienced walker, the self led 14 and 23-mile routes will take you through spectacular valleys’ woodland, farmland and across open moorland. Weather permitting, you will be treated to some fantastic views towards the Brecon Beacons, over Cardiff Bay, the Bristol Channel, Somerset and North Devon, before trekking up and over the spectacular iron age hill fort of Twmbarlwm and 3 of the highest points in the county. There is an entry fee of £6 for both these walks. Book before March 9th for an early bird fee of £4.
If you don’t fancy so many hills, then the Monmouthshire-Brecon Canal offers a range of shorter, flatter walks between 1-4.5 miles and there is no charge for the canal walk.
As in previous years, we expect demand to be very high so early entry is strongly advised.
For more information visit www.visitcaerphilly.com
or download the booking form and terms and conditions (pdf 755k).