Green Castle Woods - Llangain, Near Carmarthen

Site Description

Green Castle Woods includes three separate semi natural ancient woodlands and the meadows and areas of recently planted native woodland which separate them. Two of the woodlands are principally oak, the third is very variable containing stands dominated by birch or ash, or alder and willow. The B4312 Carmarthen to Llansteffan road bisects the site. The Afon Tywi forms part of the northern boundary and is part of the Carmarthen Bay and Estuaries a Site of Special Scientific Interest (it is now also designated as a Special Area of Conservation and a European Marine Site).

The surrounding landscape is made up of similar rolling countryside, mostly relatively small hedged fields of permanent pasture and small widely separated woods.

The six key features of the site are; ancient semi natural woodland, botanically rich meadows, newly created woodland, the hedgerow network, public access and the Green Castle Woodlanders volunteer group.

Approximately 7 hectares of the less interesting of the meadows were planted by the Trust in 1996 with native species. Another 14 hectares of grassland has been retained and is managed by grazing and mowing. Thick hedges border the road and some fields and this mixture of habitats, the undulating topography, and the patchwork of small hedged fields create a very attractive landscape. Some fine views are available eastwards over the Afon Tywi and towards Carmarthen. A car park has been constructed by the Trust, and there is an extensive network of paths. In 1998 the Carmarthenshire Coast Long Distance Footpath was routed though the site. It is one of only a few areas of woodland or countryside with open public access within a few miles of Carmarthen, and is very well used, especially by dog walkers. The Green Castle Woodlanders have been assisting with the care of Green Castle woods since 1994 and have done much of the path development work.