Byrgwm Picnic Site at Brechfa Forest (NRW)

In ruins but not forgotten

Byrgwm means ‘short valley’. If you do the walk, you will pass the derelict smallholding called ‘Tanrallt’. This is a poignant reminder that more people used to live off the land here – living the original ‘Good Life’ in terms of self-sufficiency, but often struggling to make ends meet. There are a number of ruins like this throughout the forest.

Huge trees and a whole lot more

This woodland boasts some huge Douglas fir trees. Keep your eye on the sky for buzzards and red kites or maybe if you are quick enough a goshawk whizzing through the trees. Easier to spot are woodland birds like goldcrests, jays, wood pigeons, wagtails, nuthatches, blue tits and great tits.