Penparcau
Woodland Trust wood
Size:
9.79 ha (24.19 acres)
Grid reference:
SN601801
Map reference:
Explorer 213
OS Landranger 135
Located on the floodplain of the Afon Rheidol and the steep slope on the eastern edge of Aberystwyth, Coed Geufron is an enchanting woodland.
This wood provides excellent natural cover for otter and is teeming with invertebrates, particularly beetles and spiders. It is made up of a patchwork of wet woodland, grassland and shingle banks where species flourish.
Coed Geufron is on the edge of Aberystwyth, located between the Penparcau housing estate, the cricket ground, the Rheidol Railway, the Afon Rheidol and the Glanyrafon Industrial Estate.
Head out of Aberystwyth on the A44. Take the first exit on the first roundabout and the second exit on the second roundabout. You will cross the Afon Rheidol and the railway line before entering a built-up area. Continue past Jan's Garage and the first turning on the left, and take the second turning on the left.
Aberystwyth railway station is 1.5 miles away and there is a stop on the single gauge railway line close to the A4120, about 0.25 miles from the site.
Visit National Rail for more information.
There are bus stops along the A4120 at Morrisons and by the Penparcau estate on Heol Bryn.
Visit Traveline for more information.
Access to the site is either via the Sustrans path from the A4120 just south of the Pen y Bont roundabout, along the Sustrans path from the industrial estate, or along Geufron Lane through the housing estate.
The wood can be accessed via Gwel Afon as part of the Pen Dinas and Rheidol Circular Walk.
A cycle path runs alongside the wood and can be enjoyed as part of a longer route.
Public access is provided using a series of grassy permissive paths and a public right of way.
The three entrances are open with no barriers. The footpath from the Penparcau housing estate is fairly steep close to the entrance and can get wet and muddy, otherwise, the paths are flat.
It is possible to park on the Glanyrafon Industrial Estate at the eastern end of the site and then walk to the site along the Sustrans path. There is a small parking area at the eastern end of Penparcau Housing Estate with room for two cars.
The nearest toilets are at Penparcau Playing Fields. There are no disabled toilets at this facility - the nearest disabled access toilets are in Aberystwyth at Park Street, Park Avenue, and on Bath Street.
Coed Geufron Wood is a mixture of wet woodland, grassland and shingle banks which are dotted with both common and uncommon plant species.
If you're lucky you will spot otters that use the river here. You may also see a variety of invertebrates around the river shingle.
Marvel at the willow, damson, gorse, alder, oak, hawthorn and other tree species that thrive here. Seek out the peaceful woodland ponds and take in the gently bending tree branches as they reach out for light.
Walk in the wood or out in the open air among bracken, scattered scrub and native broadleaved trees that were planted in 2000. Explore the grassland dotted with fescues, bird's-foot trefoil, creeping buttercup, sorrel, black knapweed, ribwort plantain, sweet vernal grass, bents and Yorkshire fog. Visit the marsh with its purple moor grass, soft rush and sharp flowered rush.
Look out for hemlock water dropwort and reed canary grass (which is abundant in the wet carr), as well as the uncommon bryophyte Calliergon cordifolium and chalkstream water crowfoot.
Look out for
This newly established woodland is accompanied by areas of grassland, marshland, open scrub and gorse, and is bordered by the Afon Rheidol, a 19-mile river running from Plynlimon to Cardigan Bay.
Explore
This site is within walking distance of Aberystwyth and was acquired as part of the Woods on your Doorstep initiative.
Coed Geufron can be divided into three distinct areas: marshy grassland on the floodplain between the Rheidol and the local cricket field, wet woodland along the river, and a Site of Special Scientific Interest in the form of invertebrate-rich river shingle bank, between the railway line and the river.
This wood is a playground for walkers and cyclists alike thanks to a network of footpaths and a 28km waymarked cycle path that links Aberystwyth with Devil's Bridge via Cwm Rheidol.
Explore the Pen Dinas and Rheidol Circular Walk, a varied four-mile walk created by Ceredigion County Council linking Coed Geufron to four other nature reserves.
Visiting woods
Dogs are welcome for walkies in our woods. Take a look at our tips and guidelines for ensuring we keep our woods safe and special for dogs and wildlife.
Visiting woods
Taking a walk in the woods is the easiest way to enjoy the outdoors and get closer to nature.
