To provide you with the best experience, cookies are used on this site.  Learn more

Allow cookies
Fforest Fawr near Cardiff

Book Tickets Online

About

Explore this gateway to Castell Coch - try one of the walks

Fforest Fawr is the stunning backdrop to the famous Castell Coch, near the village of Tongwynlais. A beautiful mixed woodland which is renowned for its display of bluebells in the spring; not surprisingly Fforest Fawr is frequently used as a film location for productions ranging from Welsh historical dramas to children's TV programmes.

There are a number of waymarked walks and horse-riding routes here.

From this car park you can do three trails;

Sir Henry's Trail (2.31 miles, 3.72 kilometres).
This trail takes you to Castell Coch and back. Don't miss the sculpture trail - see the the information board in the car park which also explains the unique features you can discover in the forest - including the impressive deep holes left by iron mining.

Burges' Way (1.77 miles 1.12 kilometres).
This is a short circular trail through the forest. It goes past Castell Coch and the Blue Pool, one of the many former iron mining sites here.

Children's Sculpture Trail (1.5 miles 2.6 kilometres).
This trail has been developed to encourage children to use their imaginations and create a story around a sleeping giant in a whilst walking in a woodland setting. Although it is never seen, the sculptures will give children clues to help with their own story.

See the information board in the car park to find out where the trail is, and another board at the start of the trail explains all about it.

Directions:

From the A470, follow the signs to Castell Coch. Continue past the castle entrance for 1.5 kilometres to Fforest Fawr car park.

Public transport:

The nearest train station is in Taffs Well.

The OS grid reference is ST 143 838.


Please note:

Sometimes we need to close or divert trails for your safety whilst we undertake maintenance work or forest operations.
Occasionally we may have to close a site in extreme weather, such as high winds or snow and ice due to the risk of injury to visitors or staff.
Please always follow any instructions onsite and make sure you follow any temporary diversion signs in place.

Book Tickets

Facilities

Accessibility

  • Disabled access

Children

  • Children welcome

Parking

  • Free Parking

Property Facilities

  • Dogs Accepted

Map & Directions

Road Directions

Follow the signs to Castell Coch from the A470. Continue past the castle entrance for 1.5km to the car park.

You can also reach Fforest Fawr along the Taff Trail cycle route, which connects directly to Cardiff, or on foot from Castell Coch car park.

Public transport is available to Tongwynlais and Taffs Well.

OS Grid Reference: ST143838

Accessible by Public Transport.

Fforest Fawr (NRW)

Type:Forest or Woodland

Fforest Fawr (NRW), Nr Tongwynlais, Cardiff

Add Fforest Fawr (NRW) to your Itinerary

Close window

Call direct on:

Tel0300 065 3000

Related

Afan Forest Park (NRW), Port TalbotThe Afan Valley is one of the narrowest, shortest, and most beautiful valleys in Wales, being about 15 miles long from its head at Bwlch yr Afan, to the sea at Aberavon Beach, Port Talbot.

Image Credit: SWAPCwmcarn Forest (NRW), Newport CityCwmcarn Forest offers something for all the family. Spectacular 7 mile forest drive set amongst rolling hills and green forests with 7 car parks to stop at. The visitor centre provides a place to stock up on refreshments and gifts.

Harlech Beach & DunesMorfa Harlech Nature Reserve (NRW), HarlechMorfa Harlech is one of two extensive sand dune systems which make up much of the southern Snowdonia coastline, extending from the Mawddach estuary in the south to Black Rock Sands in the north west.

Brecon Beacons | Craig CerrigCraig Cerrig Gleisiad & Fan Frynych (NRW), BreconCraig Cerrig-gleisiad and Fan Frynych National Nature Reserve is a 156 acre (631,000 m²) area of the Brecon Beacons National Park.

Rheidol ValleyCoed Rheidol Nature Reserve (NRW), Devil's BridgeCoed Rheidol is situated about 12 miles east of Aberystwyth. It occupies parts of both banks of the Afon Rheidol, upstream, and the south bank downstream of Devil's Bridge.

Crychan Forest and Halfway ForestCrychan Forest (NRW), Llangammarch WellsThe Crychan & Halfway Forest is set in beautiful countryside nestling between the Brecon Beacons & the Cambrian Mountains. Miles of waymarked trails for horse riding, cycling and walking take you through tranquil gorges, along old drover's routes & past cascading waterfalls.

Coed y Brenin Forest ParkCoed y Brenin Visitor Centre (NRW), DolgellauCoed y Brenin Visitor Centre is in the heart of southern Snowdonia near Dolgellau, is the gateway to Coed y Brenin Forest Park. Try world-class mountain bike trails, family walks, café, cycle shop, all-ability play area and an easy access trail.

Glyndwr's Way | Pererindod MelangellDyfnant & Vyrnwy Forests (NRW), Lake VyrnwyDyfnant and Vyrnwy Forests in north Powys which is renowned for rolling hills, lush green valleys and picturesque farmsteads and villages. The Forest caters for horse riding and carriage driving as well as walking and picnic areas.

Dyfi Forest - Nant GwernolDyfi Forest (NRW), MachynllethThe Dyfi Forest is located mainly to the north of the Afon Dyfi between Dolgellau to the north and Machynlleth to the south. Dyfi is a 6000ha forest - a spectacular landscape well worth exploring.

Gwydir Forest Park (NRW), Betws-y-CoedGwydir Forest ranges across the hills on Snowdonia's eastern flank. High wooded ramparts rise steeply from the level pastures of the Conwy valley, enfolding Betws-y-Coed, and creating a dramatic setting for the town of Llanrwst

LLyn GeirionnyddGwydir Forest Park | Llyn Geirionnydd (NRW), LlanrwstIn the northern section of the Gwydir Forest Park, Llyn Geirionnydd is a 0.75 mile long lake is reputedly the home of the 6th century poet Taliesin.

Alwen Reservoir | Llyn Brenig (NRW), RuthinAlwen Trail can be started from Alwen Dam in Alwen which is part of Hiraethog Forest.

Minwear Forest (NRW), NarberthTogether with nearby Canaston Wood, Minwear has been thickly wooded for centuries.

Wye Valley Woodlands (NRW), MonmouthThe Wye Valley is recognised as one of the most beautiful woodlands in Britain, with most of it’s 4,300 hectares lying within an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

Whitestone (NRW), ChepstowWhitestone lies adjacent to a section of the famous Wye Valley Walk. Visitors to the site can enjoy pleasant walks that take in a number of fantastic views across the Wye Valley

Abergorlech Forest Garden Brechfa - NRWBrechfa Forest (NRW), LlandoveryThe famous Brechfa Forest is managed by Natural Resources Wales for the benefit of people, wildlife, recreation and timber production.

Ceri Forest - NRWCeri Forest (NRW), NewtownCeri Forest is a coniferous forest which sits astride the Kerry Ridgeway in the uplands of Montgomeryshire.

Newborough ForestNewborough Forest (NRW), NewboroughNewborough Forest is a great place to relax in. With waymarked trails to explore and wildlife to discover. It is a small forest of mainly corsican pine planted on Newborough Warren sand dunes.

Moel Famau Country Park (NRW), MoldMoel Famau Country Park, 2000 acres of important upland landscape, and forms part of the Clwydian Range Area of Outstanding natural Beauty (AONB).

Clocaenog Forest (NRW), RuthinThis large forest lies to the north of the B5105 on the Hiraethog Moors. It has some of the best and most well managed coniferous plantations in Wales. It has hundreds of hectares of forest over 50 years old.

Nature /Walking TrailsNewport Wetlands Nature Reserve (NRW), Newport CityNewport Wetlands is a partnership between Natural Resources Wales, Newport City Council and the RSPB. This nature reserve offers a haven for wildlife on the edge of the city.

Oxwich Nature Reserve (NRW), SwanseaOxwich supports a huge variety of wildlife and is protected as the Oxwich Bay SSSI and the Gower Ash Woodlands SAC.It has a mosaic of different habitats including dune slacks and limestone cliffs.

Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon) near summitYr Wyddfa (Snowdon) National Nature Reserve (NRW), LlanberisThe Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon) National Nature Reserve covers a massive 1,671 hectares, and it is home to arctic plants that have survived there since the end of the last glaciation approximately 12,000 years ago.

Cwm Idwal National Nature Reserve (NRW), LlanberisCwm Idwal was the first officially recognised National Nature Reserve in Wales; it was given this status by the Nature Conservancy Council in 1954. Along with Cadair Idris, Cwm Idwal was a favourite haunt of Charles Darwin.

Coedydd Aber Nature Reserve (NRW), ConwyThe main attraction for visitors to Coedydd Aber has long been the reserve’s spectacular waterfall, but the valley is home to a diverse range of habitats, from mixed woodland to grassland.

Hafren ForestHafren Forest (NRW), LlanidloesChoice of walking trails along the River Severn which flows through Hafren Forest. Trails go to waterfalls and the source of the Severn on Pumlumon. Riverside accessible trail with viewing platform over cascades. Picnic area and toilets.

Morfa DyffrynMorfa Dyffryn Nature Reserve (NRW), Dyffryn ArdudwyThe spectacular Morfa Dyffryn Reserve stretches for about 4.5 miles along the coast of Cardigan Bay from Afon Ysgethin in the south to Afon Artro in the north.

Coed y Brenin Forest Park (NRW), DolgellauCoed y Brenin Forest Park is set in Eryri (Snowdonia) National Park near Dolgellau and forms part of the National Forest for Wales. There are many walking trails from various car parks within the Coed y Brenin forest park where you can see waterfalls, ruins of a copper mine and have accessible…

Coed y Brenin CafeCoed y Brenin Visitor Centre | Meetings & Conferences (NRW), DolgellauCoed y Brenin visitor centre near Dolgellau, is the gateway to Coed y Brenin Forest Park. Try world-class mountain bike trails, family walks, café, cycle shop, all-ability play area and an easy access trail.

What's Nearby

  1. The beautiful fabled home of the world's wealthiest man'. Enchanting fairytale castle.…

    0.27 miles away
  2. This fortress sprawls over a huge area making it the largest moated medieval castle in…

    2.86 miles away
  3. St Fagans is one of Europe's leading open–air museums and Wales's most popular heritage…

    3.7 miles away
  4. Exploring Bute Park is extremely rewarding and once within the gates you will find it…

    4.66 miles away
  1. The National Museum & Gallery, Cardiff is unique among British museums and galleries in…

    4.89 miles away
  2. Cardiff Castle is situated in the heart of the capital. The castle's enchanting fairytale…

    4.97 miles away
  3. The Principality Stadium was built to host the final at the 1999 Rugby World Cup and…

    5.14 miles away
  4. In The Cardiff Story’s fun, free and interactive galleries, discover how the city was…

    5.18 miles away
  5. You'll play adventure golf in Cardiff's lushest rainforest when you visit! Come and play…

    5.29 miles away
  6. Pontypridd Museum

    Housed in a converted chapel built in 1861, Pontypridd Museum tells the history of…

    5.8 miles away
  7. The Royal Mint Experience is one of south Wales' top attractions and the only place in…

    5.96 miles away
  8. The Royal Mint Experience is the only place in the world where you can watch the United…

    5.96 miles away
  9. The Harbour at Cardiff Bay is situated on the Severn Estuary in South Wales. The Cardiff…

    6.21 miles away
  10. Are you looking for a team bonding session or a gift for your loved one? Enjoy a…

    6.26 miles away
  11. Wales Millennium Centre is Wales’ national home for the performing arts in Cardiff Bay.

    6.33 miles away
  12. A science discovery centre, designed to engage people of all ages in science through…

    6.39 miles away
Previous Next

Don't Miss

Don't Miss

Don't Miss