Forest Farm Country Park

What it’s like

A free woodland reserve for muddy walks, bird hides and spotting damselflies along the canal.

This is a nature reserve rather than a farm with animals to feed, so the appeal is woodland paths, a bird hide to sit quietly in, and a canal towpath where guided walks point out damselflies and whatever else is about that day. It suits kids who like poking about outside more than kids who want a ride or a café stop, and a guided walk takes around two hours if you stick with it, longer if you let them stop and stare at every bird.

Getting in costs nothing, which makes it an easy one to add to the weekend without checking your bank balance first. The main paths and the bird hides are wheelchair and buggy friendly, so that part of the reserve is straightforward even with a pushchair in tow. Long Wood is the exception: steps and slopes make it a no-go for wheelchairs, and worth remembering if that's the route you had planned.

Wear boots you don't mind getting dirty. The canal towpath floods with puddles and gets properly muddy and eroded in places, which is either a nightmare or the best bit depending on how your kids feel about mud. Dogs are welcome too, so it works as a walk for the whole household, four legs included.

Facilities

Need to know

How long to allow

Around 2 hours for a guided walk, longer if watching nature

Wheelchairs

Wheelchair accessible on main paths including bird hides

Getting there by bus or train

Contact Cardiff Council's Park Rangers for transport details on 029 2068 4000

• Long Wood isn't accessible for wheelchairs, steps and slopes only
• Canal towpath gets muddy and puddly, boots over trainers
• Parking is free
• For transport help, Cardiff Council's Park Rangers can be reached on 029 2068 4000

Plan your visit

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