{"id":15702,"date":"2025-07-07T10:10:04","date_gmt":"2025-07-07T09:10:04","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/wenvoe.org.uk\/?p=15702"},"modified":"2025-07-07T10:10:04","modified_gmt":"2025-07-07T09:10:04","slug":"redbrook-and-pontsticill","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/wenvoe.org.uk\/?p=15702","title":{"rendered":"Redbrook and Pontsticill"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Redbrook and Pontsticill<\/span><\/em><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

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Redbrook<\/span> <\/strong><\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

We parked at Redbrook and walked up the Wye valley, away from Monmouth, towards Bigsweir bridge.<\/p>\n

We entered Highbury wood, an example of ancient semi-natural woodland typical of the Wye valley. For centuries, until the 1950s, it was managed by coppicing, to provide wood for charcoal and fuel for the limekilns in the wood. We were amazed by the number of large-leaved lime trees we passed and spotted whitebeam and yews which are apparently over 300 years old.<\/p>\n

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We heard lots of bird song but although the woodland has treecreepers, nuthatches and woodpeckers, we did not spot any of these. However, we did find tall kissing gates standing alone which we walked around. Then we found a lone Butterfly orchid, with a small, white flower mimicking a butterfly with outstretched wings and were delighted later, when they lined the path.<\/p>\n

Next was Cadora woods which is a collection of woods which cloak the steep-sided slopes of the Lower Wye valley. The large leaved limes throughout indicate that the woodland could be more than a thousand years old. In the 1960s many trees were felled and conifers planted. These are gradually being replaced to reclaim its native broad-leaved beauty.<\/p>\n

We emerged onto a road to walk towards Bigsweir bridge; three-way lights at the bridge kept traffic to one way most of the time. We put on a spurt and walked in single file. Crossing Bigsweir bridge, we arrived at the Toll house which was built with the bridge 1825-39 on behalf of the St Arvan\u2019s – Redbrook Turnpike Trust.<\/p>\n

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The Toll house was renovated in 1981 by 16\u201318- year-olds under the Youth Opportunities Programme. As it was lunchtime we found some comfortable grass and sat on the banks of the River Wye to take our break. We voted to continue along the Wye valley rather than use our planned route\u00a0saving ourselves a climb of a few hundred feet. Consequently, we had a little trouble finding the right footpath but were entertained by the wildlife of the river.<\/p>\n

Two Canada geese with 4 goslings swam by. A lone heron stood stock still on a rock, in fast running water, fishing. A flotilla of Canada geese (10 of them) swam majestically along the river beside us. These were followed by a stag party; several canoes, full of males wearing sailor hats, paddled by and when asked where the groom was, they pointed at the first canoe where a lone \u2018sailor\u2019 wore a large hat leading the rest. We are not sure but suspect we saw the hen party further along.<\/p>\n

This was a delightful walk on a dry day, but it was humid in enclosed places, a very welcome light breeze cooled us in the open space by the river.<\/p>\n

Drinks were enjoyed at the Boat pub just across the river Wye; apparently the tea was a bit odd, but the beer was delicious.<\/p>\n

Walk 8m 800ft Map OL14<\/em><\/p>\n

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Pontsticill <\/strong><\/span><\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

Parking between Pontsticill and Pentwyn reservoirs, our route took us up to Bryniau Gleision, above the Taff trail and Beacons Way. We have been incredibly lucky with the weather this spring, every Saturday has been dry and clear and often sunny. Today our luck changed. The forecast was for dry weather late morning, so we headed for the hills but as we climbed, we reached the clouds.<\/p>\n

It was dry until lunchtime a fierce wind was blowing. Lunch was in an abandoned quarry where there were a few comments about the sheep poo scattered around \u2013 it was difficult to avoid but I can\u2019t say I blame the sheep for taking shelter where they can from the cutting wind. Setting off again the moisture from the clouds dropped as fine rain. The force of the wind was such that those of us that failed to don waterproof trousers were soaked to the skin.<\/p>\n

At this point, we were supposed to have glorious views of Pen y Fan and the reservoirs \u2013 Pontsticill and Tal y Bont. But we saw nothing except a faint glimmer of sunshine when we hoped the sky was clearing but it closed in again. Still, most of us have memories of previous visits and we can come again!<\/p>\n

As we descended into the valley, where it was dry, we soon dried off. On the whole walk there was only one stile, near the Pontsticill reservoir and throughout the walk we could hear skylarks and spot them soaring despite the weather.<\/p>\n

The Barn tearoom supplied us with cups of tea ice-cream, chocolate cake and several scones; they were scrummy, and we deserved it after the wetting we\u2019d had.<\/p>\n

Walk 7.7m 1100ft Map OL12<\/em><\/p>\n

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\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Redbrook and Pontsticill Redbrook We parked at Redbrook and walked up the Wye valley, away from Monmouth, towards Bigsweir bridge. We entered Highbury wood, an example of ancient semi-natural woodland typical of the Wye valley. For centuries, until the 1950s, it was managed by coppicing, to provide wood for charcoal and fuel for the limekilns in the wood. We were […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_is_tweetstorm":false,"jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","enabled":false}}},"categories":[38,423],"tags":[],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p6cWjO-45g","jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":1100,"url":"http:\/\/wenvoe.org.uk\/?p=1100","url_meta":{"origin":15702,"position":0},"title":"Wye Valley \u2013 Tintern, Brockweir & Tidenham Chase.","author":"Alan Williams","date":"9th October 2016","format":false,"excerpt":"We parked at Tintern Abbey and started by walking across the bridge at Abbey Mill over a full river Wye. The Abbey Mill\u2019s old water wheel was made around 1870 and ran until 1951 when electricity replaced water power. The mill paid an important role in the industrial history of\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Footsteps"","block_context":{"text":"Footsteps","link":"http:\/\/wenvoe.org.uk\/?cat=38"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":10461,"url":"http:\/\/wenvoe.org.uk\/?p=10461","url_meta":{"origin":15702,"position":1},"title":"The Icehouse & Chepstow Racecourse","author":"Alan Williams","date":"14th October 2021","format":false,"excerpt":"To the Icehouse A larger group has walked a couple of times this month, though these events haven\u2019t been advertised in What\u2019s On as we are not ready to open the group to all comers yet. Bert and Gwyn Bates are doing a sterling job of offering local walks, once\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Footsteps"","block_context":{"text":"Footsteps","link":"http:\/\/wenvoe.org.uk\/?cat=38"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/wenvoe.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/Picture14.jpg?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":1102,"url":"http:\/\/wenvoe.org.uk\/?p=1102","url_meta":{"origin":15702,"position":2},"title":"Goodrich and the River Wye","author":"Alan Williams","date":"9th October 2016","format":false,"excerpt":"Another beautiful day, starting in Goodrich we passed the church and headed uphill via Coppett Hill common, a nature reserve to Coppett Hill. The views were clear for miles across a relatively flat landscape and the church and the ruins of Goodrich castle stood out. We walked south catching occasional\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Footsteps"","block_context":{"text":"Footsteps","link":"http:\/\/wenvoe.org.uk\/?cat=38"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":15023,"url":"http:\/\/wenvoe.org.uk\/?p=15023","url_meta":{"origin":15702,"position":3},"title":"Wyndcliff to Tintern","author":"Alan Williams","date":"8th January 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"Wyndcliff to Tintern Wyndcliff to Tintern The Lower Wye valley, Blackcliff and Wyndcliff, form a Site of Special Scientific interest containing rare plants and an ancient semi-natural woodland (dating back to at least 1600). Unusually small leaved lime trees grow over yews and rare plants include Twayblade orchid, toothwort, Tintern\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Footsteps"","block_context":{"text":"Footsteps","link":"http:\/\/wenvoe.org.uk\/?cat=38"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/wenvoe.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Picture8.png?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":9769,"url":"http:\/\/wenvoe.org.uk\/?p=9769","url_meta":{"origin":15702,"position":4},"title":"Wye Valley","author":"Alan Williams","date":"1st June 2021","format":false,"excerpt":"Wye Valley At last, we have freedom to travel for our walks and to meet in increasing numbers. Four of us travelled to Goodrich Castle (English Heritage) in Herefordshire for a walk beside the river Wye. The beginning of the walk was along the road to Kerne bridge, a beautiful\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Footsteps"","block_context":{"text":"Footsteps","link":"http:\/\/wenvoe.org.uk\/?cat=38"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/wenvoe.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/footsteps.jpg?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/wenvoe.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/footsteps.jpg?resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/wenvoe.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/footsteps.jpg?resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/wenvoe.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/footsteps.jpg?resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/wenvoe.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/footsteps.jpg?resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":14450,"url":"http:\/\/wenvoe.org.uk\/?p=14450","url_meta":{"origin":15702,"position":5},"title":"Monmouth","author":"Alan Williams","date":"8th July 2024","format":false,"excerpt":"Monmouth Monmouth\u2019s history goes back at least 2000 years to the presence of a Roman garrison. 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