Cwm George & Casehill Woods - Dinas Powys

Site Description

Cwm George and Casehill Woods are found to the west of Cardiff, between the villages of Dinas Powys and Michelston le Pit. The site forms the boundary of the urban area of Dinas Powys and the former parkland landscape Cwrt yr ala Park. Neighbouring land use includes arable land, woodland and grazing land. The woodlands are part of a concentration of ancient woodland to the west of Cardiff.

Through a series of land acquisitions the site has developed into a complex of varied habitats and is important for planted ancient woodland restoration and the development of new native woodland. The main restoration phase has been completed with the removal of larch from the site. It now consists of mixed broadleaved woodland dominated by oak and ash. There are also areas dominated by beech from former plantings. Beech is now considered to be a part of the woodland and will not be actively removed. Both Ancient Semi Natural Woodland and Planted ancient Woodland has been recognised as key features for the site.

The existing woodlands of Cwm George and Casehill have been linked by new native woodland plantings on former improved agricultural land. Plantings include native species for the area such as oak, ash and a range of shrub species. New native woodland has been identified as a key feature for the site. Extensive areas of the grassland have been left un-planted and are being restored to species rich grassland.

Although in the main the areas of grassland have improved characteristics the potential for the restoration to species rich characteristics has been recognised by the inclusion of the grassland as a key feature.

A scheduled ancient monument increases the interest of the site. The wooded medieval hill fort is found within Cwm George Woods. The specific management requirement of this important archaeological feature has been recognised as a key feature.

The woodlands of Cwm George and Casehill are well used by the public, with local village populations within easy walking distance and larger urban populations of Cardiff and its suburbs within close proximity. Small parking facilities exist and an extensive network of permissive footpaths and bridleways have been added to the existing public footpath network to allow access throughout the site. The value of the site for informal public access has been recognised as a key feature.