Walk Leader: Mark Langley Monmouthshire Countryside Service
Date: Friday 22nd June 2012 10:00a.m.
Start & finish point:Llanbadoc Island Site (SO377000) Postcode NP15 1SX. The site is situated behind Llanbadoc Church, ½ mile out of Usk on the road to Caerleon.
Distance: 5 miles
Time to walk: Approx 3 hours
Description: Ever wondered how the daisy got its name, what plant can be used to cure piles or how you can use an apple to foretell your future spouse? If so then join us on this light-hearted look at the folklore of flowers. We will be travelling through fields, woodlands and along farm tracks in the area between Llanbadoc, Usk and Gwehelog.
Terrain: One short steep slope and lots of stiles.
For your rucksack: Bring your camera. Snacks and drinks.
Description: The walk follows a way-marked route to Coed Duon (Blackwood) and then footpaths to Cefn Ila, 66 acres of ground now owned by The Woodland Trust and regarded as one of the best pinetums in the country. We then walk down into Llanbadoc, all the while skirting the Usk Inlier, before passing Alfred Russel Wallace’s cottage.
We stop briefly at Usk Island before following the Abergavenny road and River Usk (home of swans, herons, salmon and kingfishers) to Beech Hill turning inland to Park Woods (part of the Usk Castle estate). If we’re lucky we may spot wild boar and we will see the site of the Battle of Usk in 1405 before returning to the Usk Island car park via an old railway track.
Why not join us at the end of the walk at the Usk Rural Life Museum for a cider tasting, jazz band and BBQ evening?
Terrain: Undulating in parts. Several stiles and gates. Some road walking.
For your rucksack: Snacks and a drink. Binoculars to spot wildlife.
Price: £5 per ticket
Website Special Offer: Why not buy a joint ticket for the Usk Figure of 8 walk and the Summer Solstice Party at a special reduced price of £12.50 per ticket
Description: A delightful circular walk starting in Monmouth, following Offa’s Dyke Path to Redbrook via the Kymin. We then go on and over Penallt passing through Livox wood with a return to Monmouth via Troy Farm. Two steep ascents, the first from Monmouth to the top of the Kymin, the second from Redbrook to quaint Penallt church. Well worth the climb, the extensive views from the Kymin cover the Brecon Beacons, the Black Mountains and the Monmouthshire peaks of Sugar Loaf, Skirrid and Blorenge.
Description: A short but quite hilly walk north of Usk through Lady Hill Wood, Trostrey Common and Coed Newydd, returning via Llancayo and the Usk riverside. The route climbs to about quite steeply around Russell Hill Farm, but the second half is mainly downhill or flat. Some parts may well be muddy, but the views are always interesting and varied.
Description: Starting at the National Diving and Activity Centre we pick up the Gloucestershire Way and then Offa’s Dyke path as we follow the course of the Lower Wye valley. Diverting via the Lancaut Circular walk we enjoy the woods below the impressive limestone cliffs, an area protected as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). After we reach the chapel of St. James, we return along the Offa’s Dyke path to once again pick up the Gloucestershire Way and return to the diving centre.
Deep Trouble is a crime fiction novel set in a scuba diving club based in the Forest of Dean and the story starts in the National Diving and Activity Centre near Chepstow. It is unusual in that the crime scene is at the bottom of the sea on a wrecked submarine. There are a number of murderous motives including an illicit love affair, an inheritance and suspects include an irascible drinker and a manipulative philanderer. Sue Rawle is a diver herself but the story is entirely fictional as all her diving buddies in Forest Pirates are lovely people! Sue used to be the Overlooking the Wye Scheme Manager so the walk will also mention a couple of the sites which benefited from conservation works recently.
Sue Rawle will sign copies of her book “Deep Trouble” at the end of the walk. Alternatively for the intrepid why not try the longest zip wire in country which operates at the diving centre!
Terrain: One steep descent and ascent. One central section crosses loose boulder scree near the shore, not safe for small children or the unfit.
For your rucksack: A packed lunch or alternatively there is a cafe onsite at the diving centre.
