The Walkers Group offers everyone the chance to enjoy a walk every Tuesday, in the neighbouring countryside e.g. Wye Valley, Forest of Dean, as well as local walks around Caldicot.
After a walk the groups usually go to a local pub or inn for lunch. Occasionally, all-day trips are also arranged, to places further away e.g. The Gower, Hereford.
Currently three groups walk every week, see details below. Each group has a convenor. The groups meet at the Choir Hall car park, Caldicot every Tuesday at 9 to 9.30m, to organise car sharing to the starting place for the walk that day.
A programme of walks for each group is published every three months, showing where the walks are and the arrangements for lunch.Details of the groups are as follows:
Convenor Jim Clift.
Distance 4 to 7 miles. "Moderate & Strenuous"
Leave car park at 9.15am.
(This group will aim for a brisker walk)
Convenor Sue Shepherd.
Distance Distance 4 to 5.5 miles "Moderate"
Leave car park at 9.20am.
Convenor Avil Somersall.
Distance 3 to 4 miles. "Easy & Moderate"
Leave car park at 9.30am.
The Stridders walk Dewstow, 22nd December 2009
*please click the image below to access a photo slideshow of the Dewstow Walk
Pictures taken by David Buckley
Walkers Christmas meal held at the Dewstow golf club December 2009
*please click the image below to access a photo slideshow of the Christmas Meal
The photographs were taken by Pam Simpson
Strollers Walking Group Photographs
*please click the images below to access a larger photos of the Strollers
Photo: Tree hugging in the Forest of Dean
Photo: Cleddon Falls, Wye Valley.
Photographs taken by Ken Payne
Striders walk from Llanthony Abbey to the Black Mountains
*please click the image below to access a photo slideshow of the walk
Photographs taken by Carol Elliott
Llanthony Priory is a partly ruined former Augustinian priory in the secluded Vale of Ewyas, a steep sided once glaciated valley within the Black Mountains area of the Brecon Beacons National Park in Monmouthshire.
The Black Mountains (Welsh: Y Mynyddoedd Duon) are a group of hills spread across parts of Powys and Monmouthshire in southeast Wales, and extending across the national border into Herefordshire, England. They are the easternmost of the four ranges of hills that comprise the Brecon Beacons National Park.
The Black Mountains may be roughly defined as those hills contained within a triangle defined by the towns of Abergavenny in the southeast, Hay-on-Wye in the north and the village of Llangors in the west. Another 'gateway' town to the Black Mountains is Talgarth.
Website link: www.castlewales.com
Rhossili Walk by the Strollers
*please click the image below to access a photo slideshow of the The Strollers 7 mile walk at Rhossili
(August 2009).Photographs taken by Ann Taylor-HeardAt low tide there is a huge expanse of beach. It is possible to walk across the bay to Llangennith or even cross onto the Worms Head. Keep an eye on the tide though, to ensure that you don't become cut off.
There is always some sand, even at high tide. It is very popular with surfers. Many different birds nest on the cliffs, so don't forget your binoculars!
N.B. There is a very steep walk down to the beach so it may not be suitable for pushchairs or anyone who has difficulty walking.
Website links: www.nationaltrust.org.uk / www.the-gower.com
Ascent of Twmbarlwm by the Strollers
*please click the image below to access a photo slideshow of the ascent of Twmbarlwm
by the Strollers
Photographs taken by Ann Taylor-HeardOn Tuesday 30th June 2009, 14 members of Strollers Group made the climb of Twmbarlwm Mountain. The length of the walk was just over 7 miles in all.
On the day of the walk it was very humid but fortunately the sun kept at bay, the group did get a little wet half way up the mountain when it started to rain, we had to shelter, but eventually the party managed to dried out before continuing the walk. We had a relaxing picnic lower down on the other side of the summit.
We walked up the long way, about 6 miles and came down the short way which was extremely steep. Picture No.8 on the slideshow shows the group zig zagging back and fore across the path to lessen the extent of the steepness.
BackgroundTwmbarlwm also known as Twm Barlwm, or locally known as "The Tump" in relation to the mound that lies on its summit, is a mountain situated 2km to the northeast of Risca in South Wales.
It is (1,375ft/419m) high and is a well known sight throughout the region. It commands extensive views across what is now the M4 corridor, out over the Bristol Channel and Newport and Cwmbran.
The top of the mountain features the remains of what is presumed to be an Iron Age hill fort near its summit, believed to have been built by the Silures, the Celtic tribe that inhabited the area before and during Roman times.
This is the reason for the local people of Risca and Cwmcarn naming it "The tump". There was also thereafter possibly a Roman signal point and there is also a substantial Norman motte and bailey castle incorporated into the eastern end of the fort, probably of early Norman construction.
The mountain itself is a well known local landmark visible on the skyline for many miles and is indeed seen as a symbol of Monmouthshire / Gwent. It is very popular for hillwalking and mountain biking and with tourists who go to Cwmcarn Forest Drive or walk the Gwent Ridgeway.
It features heavily in local folk legends with tales of a giant buried here, and treasure, supposedly guarded by swarms of bees. Local legend says the druids supposedly regarded it as a sacred site and a place of judgement. The hill fort is known to locals as 'the pimple' or 'the nipple'.
Youngsters from neighbouring areas and council estates such as Bettws often walk to the top of Twmbarlwm and back home on Good Friday, as a sort of tradition amongst friends and youngsters in the community.
Photos of the Striders Walking Group visit to the Black Mountains
*please click the image below to access a photo slideshow of the Striders Walking Group
Photographs taken by Mo Baker and Carol Elliott
Black Mountains
The most easterly peaks in the Brecon Beacons are the Black Mountains where you'll find tiny villages and churches set in a rolling green landscape of picturesque hills and valleys. Don't mistake the area for the Black Mountain however; the Black Mountain (singular) is a spectacular wilderness environment in its own right, but the Black Mountains (plural) are a little less demanding for the laid-back walker.
The Black Mountains have long narrow valleys and isolated farms reminiscent of Bruce Chatwin's novel On the Black Hill, which was based in the Crasswell area near Hay Bluff. The mountains rise above 2000ft. If you don't want to climb the highest, Waun Fach, you can walk instead along the long, heath-covered ridges that cross the area - all of them have wonderful views.
The Striders Walking Group walk distance is between 4 - 7 miles. "Moderate & Strenuous" (we aim for a brisker walk)
The Striders Walking Group leave Woodstock Way car park every Tuesday at 9-15am for our organised walkBlack Mountains website link: www.walking.visitwales.com
Cosmeston June 2009
The country park has a variety of habitats covering over 100 hectares of land and water, some 46ha being designated a S.S.S.I (Site of Special Scientific Interest) protecting the rare and diverse plant and animal species.
*please click the image below to access a photo slideshow of the Walkers Group
visit to Cosmeston
Photographs taken by Adrian and Glenice Dallow
Cosmeston offers a fine introduction into the countryside and is open all year round. The park has been designed to enable people of all abilities to discover and enjoy the countryside found within the Vale of Glamorgan.
The Park is also home to Cosmeston Medieval Village which is a Heritage Project that is unique in Britain. The reconstructed 14th Century village is on it's original site and consists of medieval buildings, gardens, rare breeds and a small museum. Tours of the village are by costumed villagers. Special events take place throughout the year such as jousting, medieval combat, archery, crafts, Halloween events and Summer Festivals.
Park History
Cosmeston lakes country park had its origins with the advent of limestone quarrying in the early 1890s. The quarrying ceased in 1970 and this saw one of the quarry sites being used for landfill. Underground springs flooded parts of the quarried area creating lakes. The quarry spoil areas were landscaped and together with the lakes form the main features of the park which we can see today giving access to over of 100 hectares of woodland, calcareous grassland and wetlands.Website link: www.valeofglamorgan.gov.uk/living/environment
The Mynydd Machen Walk
*please click the image below to access a photo slideshow of the Walkers Group
visit to Mynydd Machen
Photographs by Rosemary BrownAn energetic but extremely rewarding walk in the Welsh hills, where steep beech woodlands merge into panoramic hilltops. A mixture of short road sections, footpaths and bridleways, generally free of mud and with few stiles, there are however, several steep climbs, one of them lengthy.
website link: www.walkingworld.com
THE CAPEL NEWYDD and REDBROOK WALKS
Photographs By Ann Taylor-Heard
U3A website Walkers Page May 2009
Subject: walkers' trip - Avebury*please click the image below to access a photo slideshow of the Walkers Group
visit to Avebury
Walkers article and photo's by Adrian and Glenice Dallow
On the Avebury trip there were two walks arranged - one led by Aid & myself for the Stragglers - our photos are for this walk obviously. Wendy (White) led the walk for the Strollers/Striders, a longer walk of 7 miles with a picnic. We went back to the Red Lion for our pub lunch.BACKGROUND
This internationally renowned stone circle, a World Heritage Site, partly encompasses the pretty village of Avebury. Many of the stones were re-erected in the 1930s by the archaeologist Alexander Keiller, who uncovered the true wonder of one of the most important megalithic monuments in Europe. You can picnic amongst the stones and explore this intriguing and mysterious landscape, then discover the story of the people who created it. The Barn Gallery and the Stables Gallery house the museum, exhibiting many of the fascinating finds from all the local excavations. The Barn Gallery has many exciting interactive displays to bring the area to life and children can take part in a range of activities in the crafts area. Another layer of history is provided by the buildings themselves: the dovecote is 16th-century, while the thatched threshing barn and stables are 17th-century. Nearby, the gentle rise of Windmill Hill, once the site of an important neolithic settlement, has several well-preserved Bronze Age burial mounds and boasts commanding views. West of Avebury, the Iron Age earthwork of Oldbury Castle crowns Cherhill Down, along with the conspicuous Lansdowne Monument. With the spectacular folds of Calstone Coombes, this area of open downland provides wonderful walking.
Website link: www.nationaltrust.org.uk
Great Barnetts Wood Walk - 12th May 2009
*please click the image below to access a photo slideshow of the Walkers Group
visit to Great Barnetts Wood
Photographs taken by Adrian and Glenice Dallow
On the last Monday in April, Malvern U3A brought a coach of their walkers to join with us for a walk around Caldicot Castle Country Park, which was followed by a meal and refreshments at The Old Tippling Philosopher, a good time was had by all.
*please click the image below to access a photo slideshow of the Malvern U3A and the Walkers Group walk around Caldicot Castle Country Park
Photographs taken by Adrian Dallow*Please click "here" to access Photographs and Walks of Caldicot Castle Countrypark
The Sculpture Trail forest of Dean with the Stragglers group
*please click the image below to access a photo slideshow of the Walkers Group
visit to Sculpture Trail forest of Dean
photo: Iron Road' twenty carved jarrah wood sleepers on the disused railway line relates the industrial past of the forest
The Forest of Dean is one of the most ancient and beautiful woodland areas in the country, with a fascinating history. The Sculpture Trail is a fantastic way of exploring the area as well as to gain an understanding of its industrial past.
Previously an area of mine-workings, the forest has been transformed by sculptures made by international artists, including David Nash, Cornelia Parker, Ian Hamilton-Finlay and Neville Gabie.
The artworks provide a unique encounter with site-specific sculpture in a wonderful forest environment. The Forest of Dean Sculpture Trust also host temporary events on the Trail, alongside commissioning new sculptures and working with communities.
website link: www.forestofdean-sculpture.org.uk
Severn Bridge Walk
31st March 2009
The stragglers walked the Severn Bridge today, across eastbound, over the top of the toll booths for a welcome break at the services then home again westbound.*please click the images below to access a larger photos of the Stragglers visit to the Severn Bridge
Photograph taken by Norma Shreeve
Photographs taken by Adrian Dallow
Lovely day for it not that wind we have had recently and the tide was in and we even saw a boat passing underneath. Like a lot of kids we also waved to a train as it passed beneath us and got a long toot on the whistle in return.
Cwm Lickey Circular Walk
This walk highlights the iron industry of the Race area and the community that grew up around it.
*please click the image below to access a photo slideshow of the Walkers Group
visit to Cwm Lickey
photo: Edlogan Manor Info point
Photograph was taken by Ann Taylor-Heard
Torfaen Trail – Figure of 8 Walk
This 35 mile route takes in the whole of Torfaen, from Cwmbran in the south, through Pontypool to Blaenavon in the north. It has been broken down into nine linear sections, which vary in distance from 2 miles to 9 miles. Walkers of all ages and abilities will find something to suit them, from an enjoyable stroll to the full 35 mile challenge!
This scenic walks takes in ancient woodlands; forestry; country lanes and open mountain top.
Tintern and Brockweir Walk*please click the image below to access a photo slideshow of the Walkers Group visit to Tintern and Brockweir
photo: Frosty bridge
Photograph was taken by Ann Taylor-Heard
Tintern (Welsh: Tyndyrn) is a village on the west bank of the River Wye in Monmouthshire, Wales, close to the border with England It is popular with tourists, who visit for the natural scenery and the ruined Tintern Abbey.
Brockweir is a small village on the eastern bank of the River Wye, within the Forest of Dean, Gloucestershire, England. A road bridge links it across the river to Monmouthshire, Wales, about a mile (1.6 km) outside the village of Tintern . The village is close to both the Offa's Dyke Path and the Wye Valley Walk.
The Wye Valley Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) is an internationally important protected landscape straddling the border between England and Wales. It is one of the most dramatic and scenic landscape areas in southern Britain.
The River Wye (Welsh: Afon Gwy) is the fifth-longest river in the United Kingdom. The upper part of the river passes through the settlements of Rhayader, Builth Wells and Hay-on-Wye, but the area designated as an AONB surrounds only the 72-mile stretch lower down the river, from just south of the city of Hereford to Chepstow.
This area covers parts of the counties of Gloucestershire, Herefordshire and Monmouthshire, and is recognised in particular for its limestone gorge scenery and dense native woodlands, as well as its wildlife, archaeological and industrial remains. It is also historically important as one of the birthplaces of the modern tourism industry. The area is predominantly rural, and many people make a living from tourism, agriculture or forestry. Ross-on-Wye is the only town within the AONB itself, but Hereford, Monmouth, Coleford and Chepstow lie just outside its boundaries.
Some of our walkers at Caldicot Castle in the snow February 2009
*please click the images below to access larger photographs
The Stragglers walking group in Sirhowy Valley,
working up an appetite for their pre Christmas lunch*please click all the images below to access larger photographs
Photograph was taken by Norma Shreeve
"Away day" for U3A WalkersInstead of their usual local walks last Tuesday over 50 members of Caldicot and District U3A Walking Group boarded a coach to take them to Queenswood Country Park on the Leominster road out of Hereford.
Photo: Striders at Queenswood Country Park
At the park they were met by members of Hereford U3A who had offered to lead two walks, one of 7 to 8 miles and a shorter one of around 3 miles. The journey to Hereford had been very wet in places but both groups were able to start their walks during a drier spell.
The short walk was totally within the wooded area of the park with some of the paths being very muddy after the heavy rain.
However the walk finished up in the Arboretum where there were gravel paths and a fine view over farmland towards Hereford and the distant hills.
Photo: Strollers Stragglers at view point in Queenswood Arboretum
Members of this group then retired to a local hostelry to await the return of the others! Walkers on the longer walk went through the woodland and the countryside beyond taking time out for a picnic on route. They unfortunately were not so lucky with the weather as they had to endure a few more showers before their return to join the rest on the coach. A very enjoyable day was had by all thanks to the group convenor, Sheila Ford and the group treasurer, Pam Simpson who together organised the trip.
David Evans
Walkers climbing the Sugar Loaf Mountain in Wales where this photograph and others were taken by Stan Griffiths.
*please click the image above to access a photo slideshow of the Walkers Group visit to the Sugar Loaf Mountain
Severnside Heritage Trail Series
"A successful end to 4 years of perseverance" quote by Sheila Ford of our U3A Walkers group at the launch of three leaflets at Caldicot Castle titled, Caldicot: Castle and Countryside, Magor & Undy: Monks and Marshes, Rogiet: Around Rogiet and the Railways.
*please click all the images below to access larger photographs
Sheila Ford is seen in the centre of the photo with visiting dignitaries and some of the people associated with the production of the leaflets.
Caldicot U3A have been acknowledged for their part in the production of the leaflets.
Caldicot: Castles and Countryside
below pages 2-7 Caldicot: Castles and Countryside leaflet
Rogiet: Around Rogiet and the Railways
below pages 2-7 Rogiet: Around Rogiet and the Railways
Magor & Undy: Monks and Marshes
below pages 2-7 Magor & Undy: Monks and Marshes
HISTORY OF CALDICOT CASTLEBy
Peter Strong
The castle keep was probably built by Milo Fitzwalter, Earl of Hereford, in the 12th century. In 1158 the Castle passed to the de Bohun family, when Milo's daughter Margaret married Humphrey de Bohun III. He added the curtain walls, the corner towers and the de Bohun gate.
The castle remained in the de Bohun hands until 1376 when it passed to Thomas Woodstock, youngest son of King Edward III. When he married Alianore de Bohun, he adds the gatehouse and Woodstock Tower.
Thomas was murdered on the orders of Richard II in 1397 and the castle subsequently passed to the Earl of Stafford by virtue of his marriage to Thomas's daughter, Anne. The Staffords held the castle until 1521 when the family fell foul of Henry VIII.
The castle then came into royal hands through the Duchy of Lancaster, until it was sold to the Lewis family of St Pierre in 1857. By this time the castle has been decaying for several centuries. In 1885 the ruins were sold to J R Cobb, a wealthy antiquarian, who set about restoring them. In 1963 the Cobbs sold the castle to Chepstow Rural Distict Council. It has been in local Authority hands ever since.
WALKS AROUND CALDICOT CASTLE, COUNTRY PARK AND SURROUNDING COUNTRYSIDE
*Click the image above to access a larger photograph
Route for the 1½ mile version
From the Lake in the Caldicot Castle Country Park, with your back to the Castle, strike over to the top left hand corner until you reach a gate. Cross the wooden bridge which spans the Neddern. Proceed up the field to the road. Turn right and walk up the right hand side and passing the second children's play area, follow the path behind the houses and go through the gate on the right. Go up to the field diagonally right to the swing gate in the hedge. Then slightly diagonally right to another swing gate. Walk straight on through two more swing gates to the road. (The motorway bridge is on your right). Turn left and enter Wentwood View Estate on your right. Go up an incline and follow the road around to the left. Make your way through the estates to return to the Country Park.
Route for the 3 mile versionNow turn right over motorway bridge, down the hill to a narrow entrance on the left leading to a path with a fingerpost. This path crosses the top of the field and emerges on to a lane. (See route for 4 mile version)Turn left and continue under the motorway bridge. Turn left on to a tarmac path; proceed through the playing fields to the left hand corner. Go through the Church yard and return to the Castle and Country Park.
Route for the 4 mile versionCross the lane and take the path signposted 'Brockwells' which goes alongside the quarry, emerging onto a road. Turn left, uphill, to Dewstow Golf Course. On the top of the hill there is a house on the left. Take the path on the right of the house and descend through the coppice of trees to a path alongside the practice ground. Follow the path through to the stile on the edge of the Golf Course. Turn left and follow the boundary to the left hand corner, where there is a pond and two stiles. Turn left, then right under the motorway bridge. Follow the directions for the 3 mile version. (The stiles on the Golf Course are the "step through" type).
Route for the 4½ mile versionFrom the Castle car park, with your back to the Castle, follow the avenue to the left first crossing a bridge over the river Neddern, then along the avenue to the park entrance, to a half-timbered lodge. Head left to a stile at the end of a short lane. Keep to the right going behind a large group of trees.
(On this spot there was a house called 'The Homestead' which was pulled down just prior to the Second World War. The Cobb family, who lived in the Castle, owned it).
Veer left to a gate and continue on the path alongside a railway line, passing a plantation of trees on your left, look for a second break in the line of trees on your right. Go through two gates into a field; veer towards the left to a gate in the boundary. Continue in the same direction to another gate in the right hand boundary.
This path, about 100 yards, runs alongside the railway. Go through the gate at the end and turn left on to a rough track. Walk over the footbridge and up to the road. Follow the directions for the 3 and 4 mile versions.
We hope you enjoy your walks around our Castle, Country Park and Countryside
Access by Bus and Train
The Buses are No's X14 and 74, both stop in the town centre, ¾ mile from the Castle, The railway station is south of the town, a mile from the start.Website link to Buses: www.caldicot.biz/BUSES
Website link to Trains: www.caldicot.biz/TRAINS
Please Note!
The area around the castle is subject to flooding in the winter.
 |