Pentrosfa Mire

A reminder of the wild expanse of wetland, heath and woodland of days past.

Location

Behind Pentrosfa Housing Estate
Llandrindod Wells
Powys
LD1 5NT

OS Map Reference

SO 062 597
A static map of Pentrosfa Mire

Know before you go

Size
8 hectares
P

Parking information

In the lay-by the Old Parish Church

Grazing animals

Sheep and cattle (cows and their calves and bull) from May to October.

Walking trails

As this is a mainly wet site, wellington boots are recommened all year round.  The path is indistinct, uneven and prone to being slippery in places.  Boardwalks provide access across the wetter areas.

Access

From Llandrindod Wells lake, follow the road to the golf club. Go over the cattle grid and park in the lay-by on the right just past the church.

Follow the public footpath through churchyard, exit into field. Turn right and leave field through hidden wooden gate on right. Descend steps and bear right on the track, bear left almost immediately following the public footpath signs around the farmhouse.

Turn left on track and follow this track for 400m until you see the reserve on your right. Look out for our interpretation board.

Dogs

No dogs permitted

When to visit

Opening times

All year round

Best time to visit

May to July and September to March

About the reserve

The lake in this reserve was created by damming up the stream back in the 1950's for fishing.  Today, the lake is very small with much of the reserve being swamp, fen and wet woodland.

In the winter, the mire is an important roost site for large numbers of snipe, jack snipe and pied wagtail.  Widgeon, teal and other water birds find the open water attractive and water rail love to hide in the tall vegetation around the edge of the water.

The summer months sees dragonflies and damselflies dancing above the water and butterflies enjoying the flowering plants and rich wetland.

Bird species include bullfinch, skylark, linnet, reed bunting and song thrush, with red kite, buzzard and raven on occassion.

Frogs and smooth newts can be found among the sedges, northern marsh-orchids, broad-leaved cotton-sedge and bog violets growing on the damp soils.

Pentrosfa Mire's rarest species is a lichen discovered on willow twigs which is new to science (a member of the Arthonia genus).  Over 100 species of lichen have been found on this reserve.

Contact us

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

Environmental designation

Scheduled Ancient Monument
Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI)