Minwear Forest (NRW)

Minwear Forest is within the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park and is easy to find from the A40. Together with nearby Canaston Wood, Minwear has been thickly wooded for centuries. This ready availability of timber encouraged the establishment of several local industries. Oak trees were used for shipbuilding and wood was converted into charcoal to fuel the iron foundry at nearby Blackpool Mill. These industries had declined by the early 19th century and, during the 20th century, conifer trees were planted in place of many areas of former deciduous woodland.

Minwear is situated near the head of the tidal section of the Eastern Cleddau River. The tidal cycle leads to large fluctuations in water salinity which provides a varied habitat for wildlife. There are waterside birds like herons and it is also is a great place to see woodland birds including long-tailed tits, great spotted woodpeckers and treecreepers.

In spring, the woodland paths are edged with the bright yellow flowers of lesser celandine and delicate white wood anemones and there are patches of bluebells under the trees. In the autumn months, the burnished colours of the red oak and beech trees in the woodlands are a spectacular sight.