Cwm Byddog

Cwm Byddog

Cwm Byddog Nature Reserve by Silvia Cojocaru

Cwm Byddog Ancient Tree

Radnorshire Wildlife Trust

Cwm Byddog Ancient Trees

Radnorshire Wildlife Trust

A woodland dingle with ancient pollarded oak trees and a colourful display of spring wildflowers.

Location

On the Newchurch road
Clyro
Powys
HR3 5SL

OS Map Reference

SO 215 447
A static map of Cwm Byddog

Know before you go

Size
4 hectares
P

Parking information

Limited - please park on the track verge taking care not to obstruct the highway.

Grazing animals

No

Walking trails

On entering the reserve by the castle mound, follow the natural path leading through the trees and over the brook.

Access

From Clyro, take the road signposted for Newchurch.  After half a mile, turn right and the reserve entrance is immediately on your left.

Dogs

On a lead

When to visit

Opening times

All year round.

Best time to visit

March to June

About the reserve

A small but incredibly pretty reserve with lots of insect activity due to the ancient and veteran trees.  The woodland is of international importance due to the age of the trees.  Lichens, mosses and other plants depend on this habitat to survive.  The oak polypore fungus has been found on two trees in Wales, one of them is here in Cwm Byddog.

In spring, wildflowers carpet the reserve with bluebells, yellow archangel, cuckoo-pint, wood anemone, dog's mercury and wood sorrel making up a colourful display.  Butterflies, moths and dragonflies have plenty to feast on.  The common blue, speckled wood and gatekeeper butterflies are regular visitors with the scarce cloaked carpet moth having been recorded recently.

The scrub on the motte is an important habitat for birds, including yellowhammer, blackcap and garden warbler in the summer.  The nuthatch, great-spotted woodpecker and pied flycatcher can all be found in the woodland. 

The reserve is managed to help the nationally rare hazel dormouse survive.  Other small mammals include the yellow-necked mouse, wood mouse, bank vole and common shrew.

Contact us

Radnorshire Wildlife Trust
Contact number: 01597 823298
Contact email: info@rwtwales.org