Our work at Cwm Carn forest
Latest News
21/06/21 Cwm Carn Forest Drive reopens today!
Today (Monday 21 June) Cwm Carn Forest Drive is welcoming visitors back by car, for the first time in six years.
With the summer holiday period approaching, visitors will be able explore all seven miles of the new-look Forest Drive by car following the completion of major restoration and improvement works undertaken in partnership by Natural Resources Wales (NRW) and Caerphilly County Borough Council.
The admission costs for the drive will be £8 for a car, £4 for a motorbike, £15 for a minibus and £30 for a coach. The payment is cash only at the barrier or tokens can be obtained from reception onsite. The drive operates a one-way system and there are no time constraints for visitors.
06/05/21 Date set for highly anticipated Cwm Carn Forest Drive opening
03/03/21 Cwm Carn Forest Drive unveiling postponed
Sadly, we are having to postpone the much-anticipated reopening of Cwm Carn Forest Drive in compliance with ongoing Covid-19 restrictions.
We had hoped to be able to welcome visitors for the first time later this month, but reducing the impact of the coronavirus pandemic and protecting people’s health has to remain top priority.
We hope that people will understand our reasons for postponing. Once we have a clearer idea of when it might be safe to consider reopening, we’ll let you know.
11/11/20 Final preparations underway for reopening the Forest Drive
Our contractors have now begun the resurfacing of the Forest Drive – the final step in our redevelopment project.
This final task follows months of work to create eight exciting new recreational areas along the drive.
It is now hoped that the new drive will open for a trial period mid-March with a view to the drive being officially reopened in the Easter holidays 2021.
We hope the new-look Forest Drive will offer something for everyone – from families with little explorers to seasoned ramblers looking for a tranquil spot for a brew with a view. We are very much looking forward to welcoming visitors to the site in the New Year.
15/06/20 Plans to redevelop Cwm Carn press ahead
The next phase of work to reopen the forest drive is now underway. Contractors are undertaking landscaping work across the eight locations identified for improvement along the Forest Drive.
During this initial phase of work, three new accessible play areas will also be installed, along with eight sustainable waterless toilets sited at key locations.
Repair works to the drive surface are also currently underway in preparation for the top coat to be applied once the landscaping work has been completed, which is expected to take around 12 weeks.
During this time NRW is advising people that heavy machinery will be operating on site, and asking people to follow safety notices and path diversions.
29/01/2020 Resurfacing work
Last month we announced that we’d submitted plans for exciting new developments at Cwm Carn Forest. While these are being considered, we are making arrangements for the reopening of the forest drive.
Unfortunately, there’s been a delay in getting the necessary resurfacing work started.
We’re doing everything we can to ensure the work is completed as quickly as possible so the drive can open for visitors once again.
16/12/19 Major milestone as Cwm Carn plans submitted
The felling operation has now been completed, and we’re excited to announce that we’ve submitted our planning application for the redevelopment of the Forest Drive.
We plan to develop eight recreational areas along the drive - including play areas, picnic and BBQ areas, all-ability trails, woodland sculptures and a wood cabin for outdoor learning and health and wellbeing activities. You can read more about the plans in our press release and view the planning application on the Council’s website.
Please note that work to replant in areas which have been felled continues, so visitors may notice machinery continuing to work on the site.
We’ll keep you updated as our plans progress and are looking forward to welcoming old and new faces to the Forest and the Drive next year.
26/07/19 Proposals for the Forest Drive
Over the last two months we have been engaging with local people and visitors to gather ideas and aspirations for the Forest Drive going forwards. During this time, a wide range of fantastic ideas have been put forward, a number of which we have already begun to formulate into plans for areas along the drive.
On Saturday 7th September 2019, we will be organising three public sessions via minibus on the Forest Drive giving you an opportunity to discuss proposals for the different areas along the drive. The free minibus service will operate from the visitor centre to transport people through the Forest Drive, stopping at various points throughout, and returning to the visitor centre. Each trip will last approximately 1.5 hours.
If you would like to come along to one of the sessions, the minibus will be leaving from the bottom visitor centre carpark at the following times: 10am, 12pm and 2pm.
25/06/19 Project to reopen Forest Drive
A dedicated project manager is now in place as we make preparations to reopen the drive. Geminie Drinkwater has extensive experience working within forestry and community projects.
Geminie has already held numerous public drop in sessions in Cwm Carn to gather feedback from local people about what they’d like to see from the forest and its drive in the future.
As our plans develop, we’ll share more information here on our website and via our social media channels.
Visitor information
The Visitor Centre, run by Caerphilly County Borough Council, remains open as usual and continues to sell walking guides, maps and information on the surrounding area.
There is also a fishing lake, a play area for under sevens, a gift shop featuring a great selection of locally produced crafts and Welsh goods, Raven’s Cafe which provides a wide range of food and drinks and camping pods.
Details about visiting Cwm Carn
Further information
For questions relating to the site you can contact us at cwmcarn@naturalresourceswales.gov.uk or by calling 0300 065 300 (Mon – Fri 9am-5pm )