Kenfig National Nature Reserve
WHERE
Bridgend
What it’s like
Sandy nature trails past dunes and a lake, with livestock grazing so dogs stay on the lead throughout.
This is a walking day rather than a ride-and-slide one. The Sker Beach Trail and the Green Trail are the two routes people head for, taking you through the dune system down towards the beach, and there's enough sand and space along the way to keep a walk from turning into a march for younger legs.
There's livestock grazing across the reserve, which means dogs have to stay on a lead the whole time you're there. It's a fair trade for having cattle or ponies wandering the dunes, but it's worth knowing if your dog usually gets a free run on nature walks. Kids tend to enjoy spotting the animals from a safe distance more than they mind the lead rule.
They also run Easter bonnet making classes, which is a nice one to build a visit around if you're going over that holiday, though the rest of the year it's the trails doing the work. There's a café on site for a drink and something to eat once you're back from the beach trail, and parking so you're not trekking miles just to get started.
It suits families happy with a proper walk rather than a quick loop, and works well for older toddlers upwards who can manage some distance on sand and dune paths.
Facilities
Need to know
- Best for
- Older toddlers upwards who can manage a proper walk
- Dogs
- Allowed on lead at all times as there is livestock grazing
- Dogs must stay on a lead everywhere on the reserve because of grazing livestock
- The Sker Beach Trail leads you right down towards the beach
- Easter bonnet making classes run over the Easter holiday
Plan your visit
How long is the walk?
There are two main trails, the Sker Beach Trail and the Green Trail, and neither is a quick five-minute loop, so allow a proper chunk of your day.
Can we bring the dog?
Yes, on a lead at all times, because there's livestock grazing across the reserve.
Is there anywhere to eat?
There's a café on site for after your walk.
Is it suitable for toddlers?
The trails involve sand and dune paths, so it works better for older toddlers and upwards who can manage some walking distance.
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