Green Castle Woods
Llangain Near Carmarthen
Woodland Trust wood
Size:
50.51 ha (124.81 acres)
Grid reference:
SN391167
Map reference:
Explorer 178
OS Landranger 159
Green Castle Woods is made up of three woods: two ancient oak woods and a more recently planted woodland. This mix of ancient and newly created woodland, botanically rich meadows and hedgerows is a haven for wildlife. Visit to see bluebells in spring, wildflower meadows in summer and russet hues in autumn, and admire the waterfall during winter when it’s at its finest.
Features
- Parking at site
- Public access
- Autumn colour
- Spring flowers
- Waymarked walk
- Grassland
- Broadleaved woodland
How to get to Green Castle Woods
Green Castle Woods (50.5 hectares/125 acres) sits on both sides of the B4321 in Carmarthenshire (Sir Gaerfyrddin) in Wales, and runs down to the River Towy (Afon Tywi).
It is around 5.6km (3.5 miles) out of Carmarthen towards Llansteffan, with LIangain the nearest village at 1.6km (1 mile) away along the B4321. The site connects on one side to the western bank of the River Towy, an estuary feeding into Carmarthen Bay.
When approaching Carmarthen from the A40, take the exit to Johnstown on the B4312/Llansteffan Road, located 0.4km (0.25 miles) west of the junction with the A48. Follow this through Johnstown towards Llansteffan and continue for a further 4km (2.5 miles) where you will find a car park on your right.
The nearest train station is Carmarthen, 6.1km (3.8 miles) from the wood.
Visit National Rail for more information.
The nearest bus stop is Green Castle, at the main entrance to the wood.
Visit Traveline for more information.
Facilities and access
There are three entrances to the site from the car park, all of which are signposted.
The route to the left of the car park, with the wide kissing gate, is surfaced and suitable for wheelchairs and pushchairs. It is a short, circular path through an area that’s almost a perfect miniature of Green Castle Woods. There are also a couple of lay-bys with short benches and pull-in spaces for wheelchairs.
A diversion to the right of the car park is suitable for walkers and connects with the main trail 200 metres further on.
The main Wild about Woods circular trail is straight ahead but isn’t suitable for wheelchairs or pushchairs, and the path can be muddy. It takes about an hour to walk round, while the surfaced route take approximately twenty minutes.
Two other entrances can be found off the B4321, and a further entrance where the Carmarthen coast path enters the site at the south-east corner – all accessed by stiles.
There is a car park at the entrance to the wood, with a height restriction of 2.1m.
The closest public toilets are in Johnstown on the B4321 less than 3km (2 miles) away, but these don’t have facilities for the disabled. The nearest RADAR key disabled toilets are at various car parks in Carmarthen.
Wildlife and habitats
Animals
Green Castle Woods is home to an abundance of wildlife. During the summer months, look out for lizards sunbathing and butterflies flitting among the wildflower meadows. As night falls, listen for the sound of the barn and tawny owls as they hunt for small mammals.
Look out for:
Trees, plants and fungi
With hordes of bluebells and bright white wood anemones in spring, grassland flowers such as fleabane, sneezewort and flag iris in summer and colourful leaves, toadstools and blackberries in autumn, the flora in Green Castle is not to be missed.
Look out for:
Habitats
Made up of ancient and new woodlands, hedgerows, meadows and an area of wet pasture, ponds, a stream and waterfall, Green Castle Woods provides an array of habitats for a wide range of wildlife.
Explore:
About Green Castle Woods
Green Castle Woods is a piece of living history, reflecting how the land has been used over centuries for wood production, grazing and cultivation of crops.
The site is criss-crossed by an extensive network of centuries-old property boundaries and hedges, with map evidence going back to 1779. We have installed a number of gates carved with old field names as recorded in those tithe maps. An orchard of fruit trees inspired by one of the old field names was planted in the field in 2012.
We acquired Green Castle Woods in 1993. In addition to the two semi-natural oakwoods, new native, broadleaf planting took place in 1996 with a small amount of infill in 2013.
Things to do at Green Castle Woods
Walking
With so many interesting habitats to discover and an extensive network of paths, including the Wild about Woods circular trail and the Carmarthenshire Coast Long-Distance Footpath, Green Castle Woods is a great place for walkers.
