Forest Farm and Glamorgan Canal

I have known forest farm since my teenage years and I’m 51 now, it has always been an interesting place to visit especially since it has been comitted to a nature reserve. It originally was the site of the glamorgan canal from the valley’s carrying coal in the canal boats into cardiff dock’s. The site of the conservation centre was an old farmhouse which has nearby council allotments there too. The nature reserve has a footpath of it’s own and is recommended for anyone who want a brisk walk for about an hour to complete and who may also be intersted in visiting the ‘Bird Hide’ which is off the nature reserve path as well complete with it’s own small pond it has kingfishers and cormorants as well. The conservation centre has it’s own buildings where educational meetings have been held in the past and also have been known to host courses in watercolour painting and conservation awareness.
Quote from the friends of forest farm sitehttp://www.forestfarm.org.uk/
In March 1990 a Group was formed to contribute in whatever way possible to the protection and development of the Glamorgan Canal Local Nature Reserve and Forest Farm, and to promote the study of flora and fauna in their natural habitat. The Nature Reserve, situated in Whitchurch Cardiff, was formed in 1967 and straddles the last remaining stretch of the former Cardiff Merthyr canal which still holds fresh water to a quality good enough to provide a good hunting ground for Kingfishers, Herons and many others species. The majority of the woodland is Beach and Oak with several trees being over 200 years old, and the part called Long Wood is designated a S.S.S.I together with the Canal.

Forest Farm Nature reserve, part of the Glamorga Canal Nature reserve is quite an interesting place in so far that it is slap bang in the middle of South Glamorgan; it includes the BTCV Cymru main offices — where I am a volunteer in conservation.
The nature reserve itself is excellent on the grounds that it includes part of the Glamorganshire canal, which was once the very life line and manin business throughfare of Cardiff and the valleys; runs alongside but a few hundred meteres away from the (dismantled) Pentyrch Tramway whihc once delivered minerals to the Melinghiffiths Iron works; in this location there is a replica of a waterwheel onc eused to refil the canal but now — having been modernized — had been completely replaced and works by electricity, that is it uses electricity instead f roducing it; could wel have been better thought.
Otherwise an deoybale day out for anyone, plenty of wildlife to se, such as kingfhisers, buzards, various sparrows sometimes even fish…

This place is quite delightful. Glamorgan Canal Local Nature Reserve in Whitchurch was formed in 1967 and covers the last remaining stretch of the freshwater former Cardiff Merthyr Canal — a good hunting ground for Kingfishers, Herons and many other species. Forest farm, including the Local Nature reserve was designated a Country park in 1992. The Friends of Forest Farm now look after a conservation area of over 150 acres. Beach and Oak trees make up the majority of the woods, with several trees over 200 years old.
During the last few years the Friends and Cardiff County Council have created a series of ponds, scrapes and wetlands which encouraged water-​loving birds to feed and nest on them. These can be viewed by visitors from two bird hides. A winter-​feeding area for birds was established in 2001 and is very popular, especially with children.
News Flash: The New Wardens Centre is finished and open to the public: ‘Twenty thousand pounds well spent and the refurbishment of the Wardens Centre is now finished– fully equipped with toilets, kitchen, storage area, outside education area and full disable access. The project which has been funded by Cardiff Council and Environment Wales has been managed by the Friends of Forest Farm […] Zurich Insurance have donated cash to purchase Bird Nest Boxes which are equipped with motion detection cameras that will be mounted on or near the wardens centre. This will provide fantastic video and pictures of the birds nesting without disturbing them at all.‘
When to go? The Friends join with the RSPB for a walk around the reserve from 10am until 12:30pm on the 3^rd Saturday of every month, to learn about the flora and fauna, and to recognise and record the birds that use the reserve. Other walks are arranged during the summer while in the winter talks and social events are held indoors. A three monthly newsletter and a yearly programme are also available.

This country park is located in the Taff Gorge, extending across the River Taff valley into the Whitchurch area of Cardiff.
The popular Taff Trail passes through the park, as does some of the old Glamorgan Canal, and the area is scattered with historical relics such as old locks, bridges, and weirs.
The original farm building on the site has been transformed into an active Conservation Centre where educational activities take place, and you’ll often find public events taking place at the park such as activity days, guided walks and talks — which tend to be very popular with young families. There are also information boards and picnic tables dotted about.
The park is made up of lots of different habitats such as meadows, scrub, marsh land, woodland, and ponds, scrapes and wetlands. The water areas are popular with nesting and feeding birds, and two hides have been built where you can sit and watch out for them — so you often see a few bird watchers at this park, armed with binoculars.
All in all, Forest Farm is a great place for a walk or a summer’s day out, especially for families and wildlife enthusiasts.

Not this is a country park not just a little patch of grass in the city and its a really interesting place. Its in the Taff gorge and encompasses a site of scientific interest with a conservation site, a canal and part of the Taff Trial.
There’s bird watching hide outs, water features and picnic areas too.
Its a really good day out and they do lots of education stuff there do so especially good for the kids.