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North Wales Live
20-05-2025
- North Wales Live
What police found in protected woodland in North Wales has divided opinion
Police today sparked a debate after posting what was found in a protected woodland. Officers from North Wales Police said they had been made aware of a den set up in a forest in Flintshire. They posted a number of images from the site - including a fire pit, a tent shelter and chairs, damaged trees, as well as a basketball net. The reason they had been called is that this is a site of special scientific interest (SSSI) with a formal conservation designation. Police described the scene as "vandalism" and asked parents on Facebook"Do you know where your children are when they go out to play?". But the responses from the public were mainly supportive of the "budding Bear Grylls". Others said they couldn't see the "vandalism" there and said young people needed outdoor spaces to play in. The original post from the police said: "On Monday 19th May, we were made aware of vandalism having taken place at the Lower Common in Buckley where a children's den has been set up in the woodland of a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). "An SSSI is a site of special scientific interest and is a formal conservation designation. Usually describing an area that's of a particular interest to science due to the rare species of fauna, flora or any wildlife natural habitat. It's important to protect the geological and physiological features within the area. "We have liaised with Flintshire County Council and ranger David Bryan who will arrange to have the area cleaned up. Patrols will be conducted to ensure no further damage is caused." But one respondent said "Can't see vandalism here. I trained in Forest School and this is how incredibly imaginative children can be. Why aren't we embracing this and getting our kids enthusiastic about something before they get to a stage where they are actually being a nuisance and vandalising things 'because they're bored and have nothing to do'? Surely this is an indication that setting up a group to encourage more natural creativity would lead to more respect for their environment and community." Sign up for the North Wales Live newsletter sent twice daily to your inbox Another added: " just a kid or some kids being creative. We've got a budding Bear Grylls in Buckley!" It was a view widely shared, with one lady adding: "It's all feeling a bit confusing for the kids at the moment. Common land has traditionally been seen as open and accessible, but now it seems like almost every patch of green space is being designated as protected by Natural Resources Wales. Kids can't even ride mountain bikes through the Knowies anymore. "What's tricky is that while restrictions are tight for local children, the same rules seem far more flexible when it comes to property development, which does raise some eyebrows. It sends mixed messages, especially to young people who just want to be outdoors, active, and creative. "I absolutely recognise the importance of protecting sensitive habitats, and I'm not questioning that. But we can't ignore the growing gap it's creating for teenagers. When they're told they can't go to places like Lower Common, what's left? There are so few, accessible outdoor spaces where they can explore, build dens, and tracks to ride bikes, or simply hang out without being moved on or made to feel like they're doing something wrong. "It would really help if Buckley Town Council could identify and actively promote specific spaces where children are welcome, areas to explore, and enjoy nature without fear of being told off. I grew up doing just that, and we now know how valuable that kind of play is for development and mental wellbeing. It would be a real shame if the next generation missed out on that freedom, simply because no one made space for them." Another added: "Whilst I understand SSSI sites are important, children being able to play and explore is more important, anywhere kids go in Buckley they are an inconvenience." Police actually responded to some of the comments. The South Flintshire Community Policing Team said: "We are all for children being out in the fresh air, playing and having fun, however unfortunately as this area has been designated as an SSSI, we have had complaints from members of the public about the damage caused during their den building and therefore have to respond to these. Whilst we do understand the comments being made we are simply offering words of advice to parents who may not be aware that this area is an SSSI."
Rhyl Journal
16-05-2025
- General
- Rhyl Journal
Little Tern colony in Denbighshire is ready for arrivals
The Gronant Dunes Little Terns Colony, which has been a sanctuary for the threatened species for more than two decades, is prepared to care for the birds and educate visitors. Denbighshire Countryside Services, the North Wales Little Tern Group, and volunteers have completed the setup. A 3.5km perimeter fence and a 3km electric fence have been installed to protect the birds from predators. These will be removed at the end of the season to maintain the area's status as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). A visitor centre and bird hide have also been set up for the season. Last year, the colony recorded 166 breeding pairs and 158 fledglings, a slight increase from 2023. In 2024, two avocet chicks were successfully bred at Gronant for the first time. North Denbighshire coastal ranger Claudia Smith said: "We have already seen the Little Terns start to arrive here and we are ready to protect and support them throughout this breeding season. "None of what we do here would be possible without also the support of all the volunteers who help us." She added: "Wardens are now on site, operating from the visitors centre who as well as protecting the birds, will be available to talk to visitors to the site and also collect information about this year's colony." Councillor Barry Mellor, lead member for environment and transport and biodiversity champion, said: "For over two decades, countryside teams alongside volunteers have worked very hard to protect this site to make the colony a real area of significance for protecting the future populations of the Little Terns. "Everyone involved can be immensely proud of what they do to maintain this bustling colony on Gronant Dunes." Anyone interested in supporting the colony and other coastal projects can contact Ms Smith at
Leader Live
16-05-2025
- General
- Leader Live
Little Tern colony in Denbighshire is ready for arrivals
The Gronant Dunes Little Terns Colony, which has been a sanctuary for the threatened species for more than two decades, is prepared to care for the birds and educate visitors. Denbighshire Countryside Services, the North Wales Little Tern Group, and volunteers have completed the setup. A 3.5km perimeter fence and a 3km electric fence have been installed to protect the birds from predators. These will be removed at the end of the season to maintain the area's status as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). A visitor centre and bird hide have also been set up for the season. Last year, the colony recorded 166 breeding pairs and 158 fledglings, a slight increase from 2023. In 2024, two avocet chicks were successfully bred at Gronant for the first time. North Denbighshire coastal ranger Claudia Smith said: "We have already seen the Little Terns start to arrive here and we are ready to protect and support them throughout this breeding season. "None of what we do here would be possible without also the support of all the volunteers who help us." She added: "Wardens are now on site, operating from the visitors centre who as well as protecting the birds, will be available to talk to visitors to the site and also collect information about this year's colony." Councillor Barry Mellor, lead member for environment and transport and biodiversity champion, said: "For over two decades, countryside teams alongside volunteers have worked very hard to protect this site to make the colony a real area of significance for protecting the future populations of the Little Terns. "Everyone involved can be immensely proud of what they do to maintain this bustling colony on Gronant Dunes." Anyone interested in supporting the colony and other coastal projects can contact Ms Smith at
Wales Online
15-05-2025
- Wales Online
Coastal village in Wales has pint-sized cove, proper seaside pub and next-level seafood
Coastal village in Wales has pint-sized cove, proper seaside pub and next-level seafood This tiny fishing village has an unpolished charm with lush pubs, proper seafood sarnies, and a pretty cove Along with maritime history, Little Haven is located along Pemb's famously dreamy coastline and is an idyllic spot for a bracing dip or coastal walk. (Image: Getty ) Found in a scenic fold of Pembrokeshire's craggy coastline, Little Haven isn't trying to impress you, and that's exactly why it does. This tiny fishing village has an unpolished charm with lovely pubs, proper seafood sarnies, and a pretty cove filling and emptying with the tide. In the warmer months, locals and visitors spill out onto the slipway with ice creams and pints, giving the place a low-key buzz. There's more to Little Haven than seafood sarnies and seaside pints, though. This village's lifeboat legacy runs deep. In 1882, the RNLI set up shop beneath Goldtrop Head, launching lifeboats straight from the water. That changed in 1903 when proper facilities were finally built. The station closed in the '20s, but in 1967, lifeboats were back, this time zipping out from the newly named Little and Broad Haven Lifeboat Station. Along with maritime history, Little Haven is located along Pembrokeshire's famously dreamy coastline and is an idyllic spot for a bracing dip or coastal walk. Little Haven's beach may be small, but it's got layers of rockpools, soft sand and a shifting shoreline that reveals paths to neighbouring coves when the tide's out. It's part of a stretch of coastline protected as a Site of Special Scientific Interest, thanks to its curious geology and marine life. Little Haven and Broadhaven (Image: Getty Images ) Article continues below The surrounding cliffs and rock formations add to the scenic beauty, providing perfect spots for picnics, sunbathing, and coastal walks. The beach also offers excellent conditions for water sports, including kayaking, paddle boarding, and surfing. It's also increasingly become a popular spot for wild swimming, though you should always exercise caution and follow Adventure Smart guidance when dipping. For hikers, the Pembrokeshire Coast Path carves straight through the middle of Little Haven, so if you've packed your boots and your waterproofs, you're in the right place. Hop on the trail and stomp in either direction to enjoy secluded coves, sandy bays and you might even spot a seal if you're lucky. Head north for a trek to Broad Haven or Nolton Haven, or swing south past The Swan Inn to reach The Point, a cracking clifftop lookout. Little Haven has also become a small foodie hotspot, thanks to a popular seafood deli and a seaside pub serving home-cooked food. Seafood in Little Haven and the wider Pembrokeshire area is a culinary highlight, with its coastal bounty reflecting the village's rich maritime heritage. Pembrokeshire enjoys a growing reputation for fresh produce and coastal cuisine supplied by an emerging wave of independent producers and dining establishments. From superstar gigs to cosy pubs, find out What's On in Wales by signing up to our newsletter here Pembrokeshire is having an absolute moment when it comes to food. (Image: Portia Jones ) When buying locally, it's also worth looking for the 'Pembrokeshire Produce Mark', which indicates that the produce has been made in Pembrokeshire. The local waters in Pembrokeshire are abundant with fresh fish, shellfish, and lobster. The seafood here is renowned for its freshness and flavour, often caught daily by local fishermen. One of the best seafood spots is On Grove Place, where you'll find a little chic takeaway café and delicatessen serving some of Wales's best crab sandwiches, lobster and MôR. This unique, catch-of-the-day deli in Pembrokeshire sells a range of seafood sandwiches, gin, crafts, and local produce. Lobster and MôR have become a popular addition to Little Haven, and people travel for miles to feast on a fresh roll slathered with Welsh seaweed butter and packed with juicy crab meat or lobster meat. Freshly caught, whole lobster can also be purchased alongside Caws Cenarth cheese, ice cream and their locally distilled Tir and Môr gin. Salmon Sandwich and gin from Lobster and Mor (Image: Portia Jones ) A visit to this deli is a must when exploring Little Haven. Here, local produce blends seamlessly with nautical gifts, picnic paraphernalia and tasty deli items. If you don't fancy a lobster roll, other sandwich options like smoked salmon and cream cheese are also available and are best paired with their takeaway coffee or, if you're feeling naughty, a bottle of their seaweed and spice gin. It's worth visiting this locally owned business when you are out and about in Pembrokeshire and fancy eating a crab sandwich on the beach, listening to the sounds of the breaking waves. Utter bliss. There's also a tangible ethos of sustainability and responsible fishing at Lobster and MôR. All lobster pots are caught on the 'Martha Rose' and swiftly sold to hungry customers. Sandwiches are also sold in compostable vegetable-ware packaging. Lobster and MôR in the small village of Little Haven is a chic takeaway café (Image: Lobster and MôR ) The Cornerhouse Cafe is another great shout and is located right next to the shoreline at Little Haven Beach, making it a perfect pit stop on a coastal walk. It's a small family-run beachside cafe serving filling breakfasts and lunches along with homemade cakes. For a pint with a view, several pub stops in and around Little Haven serve a range of home-cooked plates and seafood specials. The 200-year-old Swan Inn has a waterside location and seasonal small plates, focusing on local diver-caught scallops and St Brides Bay crab. St Brides is another popular pub in the centre of the village, pouring Welsh and local Pembrokeshire ales. It's family-run, full of charm, and hides a unique secret, tucked behind a door in the bar is one of Little Haven's original freshwater wells. Opposite, there's a sun-soaked beer garden for lazy lunches and a chilled weekend sesh. The menu's proudly local, with just-landed lobster and crab when in season, served dressed with salad or as a creamy thermidor. Swing by on a Sunday for a classic Welsh roast, expect juicy beef, lamb or pork, piled high with seasonal veg. Little Haven isn't flashy, but it knows what it's doing. Fresh seafood, coastal walks, proper pubs and epic sea views. Come for the crab rolls, stay for the vibes. Article continues below
Wales Online
06-05-2025
- Wales Online
Woodland walk with a fairytale castle and a cafe that nails the perfect toastie
Woodland walk with a fairytale castle and a cafe that nails the perfect toastie This pretty woodland is where you'll find wildlife and remnants of the former Glamorganshire Canal This accessible forest is where you'll find sections of the former Glamorganshire Canal We're blessed with abundant, wonderful woodland walks in south Wales where you can traverse gnarly paths under a canopy of greenery. One of the easier forest treks for families is Forest Farm, located on the banks of the River Taff just south of the busy M4 motorway. This accessible forest is where you'll find sections of the former Glamorganshire Canal, a wide range of habitats including woodland, scrub, hay meadow, ponds and marshland. It's also where you'll spot a fairytale castle rising from the ancient beech woods of Fforest Fawr. The 55-mile-long Taff Trail also runs through the site, leading to longer walks out of the city and towards Brecon via riverside paths, railway paths and forest roads. Hungry? There's also a rustic cafe in the nearby Fforest Fawr that serves some of the best toasties in Cardiff. Forest Farm has long been a popular spot for a spring stroll or splashy stomp when the weather calls for wellies for the kiddos. This area was once a hub of industrial activity as the Glamorganshire canal linked the ironworks of Merthyr Tydfil to the sea at Cardiff. They were used extensively for industry, trade, and coal transport in south Wales. The 55-mile-long Taff Trail also runs through the site, leading to longer walks out of the city and towards Brecon via riverside paths, railway paths and forest roads (Image: Portia Jones ) Despite its industrial heritage, the area became a protected haven for plantlife and animals and is a favourite place for Cardiff residents to visit. From superstar gigs to cosy pubs, find out What's On in Wales by signing up to our newsletter here The Mary Gillham archive project reports that in 1970, the Cardiff Parks department took over management of the woodland reserve, and in 1981 it was formally declared a Local Nature Reserve. In 1982, the main part of the reserve, the area containing Long Wood, Sheep's Bane Wood and the Glamorganshire Canal, was designated a SSSI (Site of Special Scientific Interest) by the Nature Conservancy Council, which helped to ensure its future protection. These days, limited traces of the canal remain, and Forest Farm now provide a woodland escape from the city with quiet paths, picnic benches, and a network of walking trails. Despite its popularity, the wooded area is deceptively large, and it can be hard to find your way around if you haven't visited before. Luckily, Friends of Forest Farm have created a detailed guided walk you can follow to make things easier. (You can find the trail details here.) Forest Farm nature reserve is built around the old Glamorgan Canal (Image: Richard Swingler ) If you want to extend your walk further, there's also a guided route around Fforest Fawr on the handy All Trails app. Starting at Castell Coch, the trail winds through the ancient woodland of Fforest Fawr along scenic paths where you can watch for wildlife and see vivid bluebells in spring. The main route around Forest Farm is approximately three miles long and starts at the small car park in Forest Farm Road. You can walk to the car park from the Taff Trail, take the bus to Whitchurch village, or take the train to Coryton station and walk to Forest Farm Road to start the walk. There's lots of wildlife in Forest Farm (Image: Portia Jones ) If you're following the trail curated by Friends of Forest Farm, from the car park, you should head through the gated entrance and down to the canal via one of two paths. The one on the right has a gentler slope and a handrail. You'll then see two watercourses. The left is a 'feeder' from the River Taff at Radyr weir, which provided water for the Melingriffith tin plate works. The right is one end of the only remaining stretch of the Glamorganshire Canal that linked Merthyr Tydfil's ironworks to the Cardiff sea. Head over the Sunnybank Weir bridge, follow the towpath, and continue looking for wildlife, waterfowl and waterbirds, including mallard, moorhens and coots. You might even spot a colourful kingfisher diving into the water if you're super lucky. Keep following the trail, now he ancient woodland that rises above the far bank of the canal is predominantly beech, with much ash, some oak and alder, and is part of the 'Long Wood' Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). Kingfisher at Forest Farm Cardiff (Image: Wales Online ) You'll soon come to a lock gate and then to a choice of paths, a steeper route with a climb up steps to Longwood Drive or a shorter, flatter route that turns left at the end of the canal, following a path parallel to Longwood Drive. Choose your route and continue walking towards the motorway and the river Taff, and eventually you'll come to a T-junction with the Taff Trail. At this point, you can knacker the kids out for bedtime and extend your woodland walk by hopping on the Taff Trail and heading towards Fforest Fawr. Here you can explore a sculpture trail, walk to Castell Coch and refuel at the Forest Cafe. Located just around the corner from the Castle entrance, you can enjoy a warming cuppa by the fire and a freshly cooked toastie in a leafy setting. Fforest Fawr is an ancient woodland managed by Forestry Commission Wales (Image: Portia Jones ) Forestry Commission Wales manages Fforest Fawr on behalf of the Welsh Government. It is a beautiful blend of deciduous woodland with small pockets of conifers. Doctor Who fans may recognise the dense forest from season eight's Robots of Sherwood episode, where The Doctor uncovers a sinister alien plot and forms an alliance with Robin Hood. Scenes from the episode were shot in the forest early in the morning, and the doctor, Peter Capaldi, was spotted filming scenes with Maisie Williams, who played Arya Stark in Game of Thrones. It's worth exploring the area, and if you choose to extend your walk with a trek tthough Fforest Fawr, there are three circular walks to choose from, including Burges' Way, Sir Henry's Trail and the pretty Sculpture Trail that the kids will love. Just off these trails, you can swing by ethereal Castell Coch (red castle), a 19th-century Gothic Revival castle built above the village of Tongwynlais, and grab lunch from the secluded forest cafe inside the woodlands. You'll find delicious toasties, soups, no-nonsense breakfast food and straight-talking staff here. Look, this isn't a suave hipster cafe, so don't rock expecting avocado on gluten-free toast, yeah? Adjust your expectations, and you will have a rustic and leafy cafe experience in the woods, complete with resident peacocks and a log fire. A rustic and leafy cafe experience in the woods (Image: Portia Jones ) The cafe is right on a forest trail, so you can continue your walk or walk back to Forest Farm, depending on how weary your legs are. Article continues below If you haven't explored this forest trail yet, add it to your 'must-walk' list and get your hiking boots ready for a lovely woodland walk in the diff'.
