To provide you with the best experience, cookies are used on this site.  Learn more

Allow cookies
Abergorlech Forest Garden Brechfa - NRW

Book Tickets Online

About

Up to the early Middle Ages the areas north of the river Cothi were heavily wooded, forming the Forest of Glyncothi, vital to the defence and independence of the Welsh principality of Deheubarth.

Following the final defeat of Wales by Edward I in 1283, Glyncothi became a Royal Forest administered under the harsh Forest Law. Forest Law involved severe punishment for offences against both 'venison' and 'vert'. The 'vert' included trees, coppices, the underwood and feeding ground of the game. Venison covered all the forest animals - in medieval Glyncothi these included red deer, fallow deer and roe deer, wild boars, wolf, fox, hare and pine marten. Forest Law was finally abolished in 1640, with most of the ancient oakwoods felled and cleared by the 17th century.

As well as playing its part in the industrial revolution, timber was taken from the forest during the First World War to produce naphtha for use in making explosives.

Today a very different forest has returned. The heavy use of timber in the First World War resulted in the creation of state forests and the Forestry Commission. Today Brechfa Forest covers some 6500 hectares and is looked after by Natural Resources Wales for the benefit of people, wildlife and timber production. There are walking and mountain bike trails for you to enjoy, with horseriders welcome on forest roads.

The OS grid reference is SN 585 340

Byrgwm Picnic Site

A pleasant picnic site situated under a canopy of red oak trees. The site has ample parking.
4 mile Byrgwm Forest Trail. Open acess for horse riding in this area
OS Grid Reference: SN585340


Byrgwm Woodland

A middle distance forest walk which undulates through a mixture of mature Douglas Fir, broad-leaved wood, clear-felled areas and forest tracks.
Length of Trail: 4 Miles
Approx Time: 2hours

Abergorlech Picnic Site

Abergorlech Picnic Site is in a lovely location where the Gorlech and Cothi Rivers meet.There is a childrens' play area and accessible picnic facilities.
OS Grid Reference: SN587338

Abergorlech Woodland

Abergorlech is home to a picnic site with childrens' play area,where the Gorlech and Cothi rivers meet.

Strangely shaped stones have been found in the river, and examples of these Gorlech Stones can be seen in the village front gardens.

Sifigwm

Gateway to the Gorlech MB trail

This is an alternative starting point for the Gorlech mountain bike trail with ample parking and information boards.Grid Ref: SN 553394

The Gorlech Trail

The Gorech Trail is the first of three new mountain bike trails for the forest. Designed by Rowan Sorrell, the route is made up of
three big climbs and descents stretching over its 19km.

Please note:

Sometimes we need to close or divert trails for your safety whilst we undertake maintenance work or forest operations.
Occasionally we may have to close a site in extreme weather, such as high winds or snow and ice due to the risk of injury to visitors or staff.
Please always follow any instructions onsite and make sure you follow any temporary diversion signs in place.

Book Tickets

Facilities

Children

  • Children welcome

Parking

  • Free Parking

Property Facilities

  • Dogs Accepted

Target Markets

  • Accepts groups

Map & Directions

Road Directions

The A482 (Lampeter to Llandovery), the A40, and the A485 (Lampeter to Carmarthen) encompass the forest. There are numerous roads that lead to Brechfa Forest, and Abergorlech and Brechfa are small villages located next to Brechfa Forest on the B4310 road. Follow the A482 between Lampeter and Llandovery until the turn off for Llansawel (B4302). Once in Llansawel follow signs for Abergorlech.

Brechfa Forest (NRW)

Type:Forest or Woodland

Abergorlech, Carmarthenshire

Add Brechfa Forest (NRW) to your Itinerary

Close window

Call direct on:

Tel0300 065 3000

Related

Afan Forest Park (NRW), Port TalbotThe Afan Valley is one of the narrowest, shortest, and most beautiful valleys in Wales, being about 15 miles long from its head at Bwlch yr Afan, to the sea at Aberavon Beach, Port Talbot.

Image Credit: SWAPCwmcarn Forest (NRW), Newport CityCwmcarn Forest offers something for all the family. Spectacular 7 mile forest drive set amongst rolling hills and green forests with 7 car parks to stop at. The visitor centre provides a place to stock up on refreshments and gifts.

Harlech Beach & DunesMorfa Harlech Nature Reserve (NRW), HarlechMorfa Harlech is one of two extensive sand dune systems which make up much of the southern Snowdonia coastline, extending from the Mawddach estuary in the south to Black Rock Sands in the north west.

Brecon Beacons | Craig CerrigCraig Cerrig Gleisiad & Fan Frynych (NRW), BreconCraig Cerrig-gleisiad and Fan Frynych National Nature Reserve is a 156 acre (631,000 m²) area of the Brecon Beacons National Park.

Rheidol ValleyCoed Rheidol Nature Reserve (NRW), Devil's BridgeCoed Rheidol is situated about 12 miles east of Aberystwyth. It occupies parts of both banks of the Afon Rheidol, upstream, and the south bank downstream of Devil's Bridge.

Crychan Forest and Halfway ForestCrychan Forest (NRW), Llangammarch WellsThe Crychan & Halfway Forest is set in beautiful countryside nestling between the Brecon Beacons & the Cambrian Mountains. Miles of waymarked trails for horse riding, cycling and walking take you through tranquil gorges, along old drover's routes & past cascading waterfalls.

Coed y Brenin Forest ParkCoed y Brenin Visitor Centre (NRW), DolgellauCoed y Brenin Visitor Centre is in the heart of southern Snowdonia near Dolgellau, is the gateway to Coed y Brenin Forest Park. Try world-class mountain bike trails, family walks, café, cycle shop, all-ability play area and an easy access trail.

Glyndwr's Way | Pererindod MelangellDyfnant & Vyrnwy Forests (NRW), Lake VyrnwyDyfnant and Vyrnwy Forests in north Powys which is renowned for rolling hills, lush green valleys and picturesque farmsteads and villages. The Forest caters for horse riding and carriage driving as well as walking and picnic areas.

Dyfi Forest - Nant GwernolDyfi Forest (NRW), MachynllethThe Dyfi Forest is located mainly to the north of the Afon Dyfi between Dolgellau to the north and Machynlleth to the south. Dyfi is a 6000ha forest - a spectacular landscape well worth exploring.

Gwydir Forest Park (NRW), Betws-y-CoedGwydir Forest ranges across the hills on Snowdonia's eastern flank. High wooded ramparts rise steeply from the level pastures of the Conwy valley, enfolding Betws-y-Coed, and creating a dramatic setting for the town of Llanrwst

LLyn GeirionnyddGwydir Forest Park | Llyn Geirionnydd (NRW), LlanrwstIn the northern section of the Gwydir Forest Park, Llyn Geirionnydd is a 0.75 mile long lake is reputedly the home of the 6th century poet Taliesin.

Alwen Reservoir | Llyn Brenig (NRW), RuthinAlwen Trail can be started from Alwen Dam in Alwen which is part of Hiraethog Forest.

Minwear Forest (NRW), NarberthTogether with nearby Canaston Wood, Minwear has been thickly wooded for centuries.

Wye Valley Woodlands (NRW), MonmouthThe Wye Valley is recognised as one of the most beautiful woodlands in Britain, with most of it’s 4,300 hectares lying within an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

Whitestone (NRW), ChepstowWhitestone lies adjacent to a section of the famous Wye Valley Walk. Visitors to the site can enjoy pleasant walks that take in a number of fantastic views across the Wye Valley

Fforest Fawr near CardiffFforest Fawr (NRW), CardiffA beautiful mainly broadleaved woodland which is very accessible from Cardiff City. Excellent recreation facilities with many different trails within. Close to Castell Coch The OS grid reference is ST 143 838.

Ceri Forest - NRWCeri Forest (NRW), NewtownCeri Forest is a coniferous forest which sits astride the Kerry Ridgeway in the uplands of Montgomeryshire.

Newborough ForestNewborough Forest (NRW), NewboroughNewborough Forest is a great place to relax in. With waymarked trails to explore and wildlife to discover. It is a small forest of mainly corsican pine planted on Newborough Warren sand dunes.

Moel Famau Country Park (NRW), MoldMoel Famau Country Park, 2000 acres of important upland landscape, and forms part of the Clwydian Range Area of Outstanding natural Beauty (AONB).

Clocaenog Forest (NRW), RuthinThis large forest lies to the north of the B5105 on the Hiraethog Moors. It has some of the best and most well managed coniferous plantations in Wales. It has hundreds of hectares of forest over 50 years old.

Nature /Walking TrailsNewport Wetlands Nature Reserve (NRW), Newport CityNewport Wetlands is a partnership between Natural Resources Wales, Newport City Council and the RSPB. This nature reserve offers a haven for wildlife on the edge of the city.

Oxwich Nature Reserve (NRW), SwanseaOxwich supports a huge variety of wildlife and is protected as the Oxwich Bay SSSI and the Gower Ash Woodlands SAC.It has a mosaic of different habitats including dune slacks and limestone cliffs.

Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon) near summitYr Wyddfa (Snowdon) National Nature Reserve (NRW), LlanberisThe Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon) National Nature Reserve covers a massive 1,671 hectares, and it is home to arctic plants that have survived there since the end of the last glaciation approximately 12,000 years ago.

Cwm Idwal National Nature Reserve (NRW), LlanberisCwm Idwal was the first officially recognised National Nature Reserve in Wales; it was given this status by the Nature Conservancy Council in 1954. Along with Cadair Idris, Cwm Idwal was a favourite haunt of Charles Darwin.

Coedydd Aber Nature Reserve (NRW), ConwyThe main attraction for visitors to Coedydd Aber has long been the reserve’s spectacular waterfall, but the valley is home to a diverse range of habitats, from mixed woodland to grassland.

Hafren ForestHafren Forest (NRW), LlanidloesChoice of walking trails along the River Severn which flows through Hafren Forest. Trails go to waterfalls and the source of the Severn on Pumlumon. Riverside accessible trail with viewing platform over cascades. Picnic area and toilets.

Morfa DyffrynMorfa Dyffryn Nature Reserve (NRW), Dyffryn ArdudwyThe spectacular Morfa Dyffryn Reserve stretches for about 4.5 miles along the coast of Cardigan Bay from Afon Ysgethin in the south to Afon Artro in the north.

Coed y Brenin Forest Park (NRW), DolgellauCoed y Brenin Forest Park is set in Eryri (Snowdonia) National Park near Dolgellau and forms part of the National Forest for Wales. There are many walking trails from various car parks within the Coed y Brenin forest park where you can see waterfalls, ruins of a copper mine and have accessible…

Coed y Brenin CafeCoed y Brenin Visitor Centre | Meetings & Conferences (NRW), DolgellauCoed y Brenin visitor centre near Dolgellau, is the gateway to Coed y Brenin Forest Park. Try world-class mountain bike trails, family walks, café, cycle shop, all-ability play area and an easy access trail.

What's Nearby

  1. Talley Woodlands overlook an historic village and ruined abbey in Carmarthenshire, 12…

    3.01 miles away
  2. Founded for the Premonstratensian order by the Lord Rhys, between 1184 and 1189. Parts of…

    3.02 miles away
  3. Dolaucothi Gold Mines

    Gold mines in use from Roman times to the 20th century. These unique gold mines are set…

    6.13 miles away
  4. Dinefwr Castle not only occupies a place of great affection in the minds and traditions…

    7.39 miles away
  1. Heritage garden of excellence set in the Tywi Valley. A renowned plantsman's paradise…

    7.43 miles away
  2. Historic Newton House, Dinfwr surrounded by Natural Nature Reserve and 18th century…

    7.48 miles away
  3. This beautiful area of parkland has many very old trees, some of which are estimated to…

    7.52 miles away
  4. Dryslwyn Castle not only occupies a place of great affection in the minds and traditions…

    8.5 miles away
  5. Gelli Aur | Golden Grove

    60 acres of wooded parkland surrounding a magnificent mansion. With commanding views…

    8.88 miles away
  6. Paxton's Tower is a Neo-Gothic folly erected in honour of Lord Nelson. It is situated on…

    9.76 miles away
  7. There are few castles in Wales - or Europe for that matter - which can boast a more…

    10.47 miles away
  8. A place of international significance dedicated to conservation, horticulture, science,…

    10.93 miles away
  9. Our aim is to give everyone the opportunity to interact with, and learn about, the birds…

    11.02 miles away
  10. Carmel Nature Reserve

    Carmel National Nature Reserve near Llandeilo is managed by the Wildlife Trust of South…

    11.06 miles away
  11. A Welsh Garden with a Dutch History, Cae Hir is one of Wales' best loved private gardens.…

    11.76 miles away
  12. Join the train at Bronwydd Arms Station and take a trip into the past, on a living…

    12.15 miles away
Previous Next

Don't Miss

Don't Miss

Don't Miss