BACKGROUND

Coed-y-Felin comprises approximately 16 acres (6 hectares) of semi

ancient and mixed woodland hidden away in Lisvane, Cardiff. In the
19th century it formed part of John Homfrays estate and it appears that
he probably sold the land to the Rev. William Price Lewis in about 1847.
The Woodland was acquired for public use in 1980 and is now owned
by Cardiff Council. Coed-y-Felin is a Site of Interest for Nature
Conservation (SINC -21) and is an important section of the Nant Fawr
Corridor. The woods are maintained by the Council with help from the
Friends of Coed-y- Felin, a voluntary group of local residents formed
in 1999 committed to conserving the wood.
HOW TO GET THERE
From Llanishen Village travel east up Station Road and turn left into
Mill Road. Travel along Mill Road for 0.7 miles and turn left into
Millwood and right into Heol Cefn Onn. The main entrance to the
Woodland is on the left. Coed-y-Felin is also easily accessible from
Lisvane/Thornhill Station (see map) and there is also a bus stop near the
station (contact local train and bus companies for times).
THE FRIENDS OF COED-Y-FELIN
The Coed-y-Felin
Nature Trail
SUMMARY EXPERIENCE
The trail starts and ends at the Heol Cefn Onn entrance, (but there are
other access points as indicated * in the text and on the map). The trail
is on woodland footpaths and there are some steep steps and stepping-
stones, so users are advised to modify their route according to their
ability. It is advisable that robust footwear and clothing is worn. The
trail, which is approximately 2.5km (1.55 miles) long,
offers the opportunity for recreational
enjoyment and communing with nature. The
descriptions in the narrative are not intended to
represent all that can be seen and enjoyed but
will hopefully help visitors to obtain
a unique experience offered by this natural
woodland.
1 At the Heol Cefn Onn entrance a footpath
alongside a vehicular track leads to a kissing
gate.
On your left before entering the gate is an area
where the Friends of Coed-y-Felin, with the help
of a grant from the Countryside Council for Wales
(CCW), have created a Wild Flower Meadow. The mead-
ow is being established by sowing a mixture of grass and flower seed on
prepared soil.
2 Enter the Woodland through the kissing gate.
On your left is an interpretive display board with a map of the woodland
and information about the Friends activities. After taking a minute or
two to read this information, walk into the woods towards the wooden
railing overlooking the fresh water outlet and a small wetland area. This
wetland sandwiched between the water outlet and a stream will contain,
depending on the time of year, a colourful mix of Bog Bean, Water Lily,
Wood Anemone and Hemlock Water-dropwort (a potentially lethal
plant, famous for its part in the death of Socrates).
3 Cross the wooden bridge over the stream and after a few metres
take a right into the Woodland walking North along a smaller but
established footpath towards the pond.
As you approach the pond make your way to the dipping platform used
by schoolchildren. The clear water of this good-size pond is a habitat for
Stickle-backs and invertebrates, such as Ramshorn and Wandering
Ash
Snails, as well as Pond Skaters. In the summer,
Large Red and Common Blue Damselflies can
be seen. Plant life around the pond includes
Yellow Flag Iris and Branched Burr-reed. If you
are very lucky you might see the Heron who
visits the pond.
4 From the pond continue North on the footpath
until you come to the main track.
Here you will see a number of oak trees referred
to locally as Napoleonic Oaks because they are
reputed to have been standing at the time of
Waterloo. Walk towards the Ivydale kissing gate*.
Do not exit the gate but turn around to your left
and enter the small but established footpath going west behind the large
oak. You are now entering the quietest and perhaps the most delightful
part of the Wood. Woodpeckers are often here and there are many
species of trees and plants including Herb Robert, Lesser Celandines and
the more rare Herb Paris.
5 Emerging from this section of the Woodland, cross the main track
(the Ridgeway entrance* is on the right) and walk towards the
clearing where you get your first glimpse of the Nant Fawr.
Standing here you are surrounded by Beech, Holly and Yew trees with
Great Tits and Black Cap often busy in the clearing. To the right is a
gully containing a fallen Yew which is known as the Dragon Tree
because of its silhouette impression of a gaping jaw and
eye. Local legend states that nothing grows in front
of the dragon tree, as on nights of the full moon
the dragon awakes and breathes fire in its path.
Follow the steps down.
6 At the bottom of the steps turn right, go through
the gate, and turn left. Facing you is a wooden
bridge over the brook. Do not cross the bridge but
follow the path to your right which runs
alongside the brook heading West.
After 50 metres on your left is a flat elevated
area which overlooks the Nant Fawr. This area is
about 3 metres above the water so you need to be
very careful. At this point you might see the
Green Woodpecker
Hazel
Kingfisher, who fishes this area. Return
to the main path and continue walking
west until you reach a fork in the path.
The right fork leads to the Clos Llysfaen
entrance*. Take the left fork down to the
brook which has both Stickle-backs and small
Trout. Cross the brook using the stepping-
stones. Climb the steps and from the top of the
path you will have a panoramic view of the
woods. On your right is the raised footpath/cycle
way which links Clos Llysfaen and Millrace Close.
Continue on along this path going east until you come
to a series of steep steps on your left. Go down these and they will take
you back to the brook.
7 At the brook cross the bridge and re-enter the woods through the
gate on your right hand side.
Follow this path heading south. After 5 metres on the opposite bank of
the brook is the site (not now visible) of what was the Llanishen mill
keepers house. Over the years it was covered by builders spoil and
various developers removed the stones. At one time this whole slope was
covered with wild strawberry. After 100 metres the path widens, and this
area is now quite barren, due to the denseness of the tree canopy. Some
trees were cleared here in 2006/7 to allow nature to regenerate this part
of the wood.
8 Following the small path to your right going down to the bridge over
the brook you will soon find the next area of interest. Stay on this side
of the Nant Fawr.
In the spring this area is covered in Wild Garlic. Wild Garlic favours
more alkaline conditions as opposed to Rhododendron which prefer
more acidic soil types. The smell is most powerful in the early morning;
in addition to the Wild Garlic you will see areas of Buttercup, Wood
Anemone and wild Arum Lilies (Lords and Ladies). The land on the
west side of the brook between the two bridges is privately owned.
9 From the bridge, return and continue along the main path looking
at the flat area between the bridge and the houses on the other side of
the brook.
This was the site of the Llanishen Mill pond, and it has now been
drained. In fact, the builder of the Clos Melin Dwr houses diverted the
Nuthatch
Nant Fawr to its present location. The old pond area still has some Water
Lily and wetland grasses growing during periods when the ground is
waterlogged.
10 Continuing on this path until you come to the steps leading back
into the upper section of the wood.
The banks on the side of the steps in spring are full of wild Daffodils and
Bluebells. At the top of the steps you come to an area that was cleared
of several large Sycamores in 2006/7. This will encourage a more
luxuriant ground flora as well as allow the regeneration of our
indigenous trees. Follow the path heading north and you will now start
to see the main area of Rhododendrons. When in flower this area is
blessed with white, pink, red and yellow blooms. In addition, the fungi
display in this area consists of Penny Bun, Common Yellow Russula,
Oyster Mushroom and Staghorn which are mainly found around old tree
stumps. Continue following the path until you come to a fork.
11 Take the right path at the fork.
On your right is another recently cleared area which in spring brings
Bluebells and Wood Anemone. Keep on this path
which winds through the woods - this is an area
where you have on either side of the pathway
an abundance of both male and female Holly
bushes. You will pass on your left
a large Yew tree, the wood of
which in the Middle Ages
was used to make the
strongest longbows. You
will now come back to the
main pathway. Turning right,
passing over the wooden
bridge, will bring you back to
the gates at the Heol Cefn Onn entrance
which completes the nature trail.
Hawthorn
4
6
7
8
9
10
11
Ridgeway
Entrance
Mynedfa i'r
Gefnffordd
Dragon
Tree
Coeden
Ddraig
Clos Llysfaen Entrance
Mynedfa Clos Llysfaen
Shared Use Path
Llwybr Defnydd
Cymysg
Site of
Old Mill
Pond
Safle Pwll
yr Hen
Felin
Nant Fawr
Friends of Coed y Felin
Nature Trail 2008
Notes
[a] Numbers = Map reference
[b] Arrows = route of walk
Llwybr Natur Cyfeillion
Coed y Felin 2008
Nodiadau
[a] Rhifau = Cyfeirnodau ar y Map
[b] Saethau = llwybr y daith
To Lisvane Station
I Orsaf Llysfaen
To Old Mill Road
I Old Road Mill Road
*
*
*
*
N
S
W E
Ivydale Entrance
Mynedfa Ivydale
6
5
2
2
2
3
12
Heol Cefn
Onn Entrance
Mynedfa Heol
Cefn Onn
Meadow
Dl
Pond
*
NOTES / NODIADAU
A large print version of this text can be made available on request.
Mae fersiwn print o'r testun ar gael ar gais.
Park Services
Gwasanaethau Parciau
Friends of Coed-Y-Felin
Cyfeillion Coed-Y-Felin
Printed By / Argraffwyd Gan
Jan 2008
Lisvane Community Council
Cyngor Cymunedol Llys-Faen
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