Great days out

The Welsh Wildlife Centre

The Welsh Wildlife Centre is located just outside the town of Cardigan and sites in the heart of a 264-acre wildlife nature reserve of national and international conservation importance.

The reserve is home to many species of birdlife, and is the ideal base to view the rare Cetti’s warbler, kingfisher, marsh harrier, red kite, and buzzard. A series of nature trails guide visitors through the natural habitats of otters, badgers, water voles, and other mammals.

The award-winning visitor centre houses informative displays and exhibitions provides a full range of refreshments for visitors to enjoy whilst taking in the relaxing views from the Nuthatch Tea Rooms. Souvenirs of your visit are on sale in the Otters' Holt Gift Shop.

All-ability access and facilities, including a lift to all floors of the Visitor Centre and wheelchair loan, whilst on the reserve.

Getting there:
The Welsh Wildlife Centre
Cilgerran,
Cardigan
SA43 2TB
Tel. 01239 621600

Directions:
From Cardigan, take the A478 south towards Narberth and Tenby
After 1.5 miles, turn left into the village of Cilgerran, from where the Welsh Wildlife Centre is signposted.

Opening hours: open every day from April to October, 10.30am until 5.00pm. Admission is free; parking £3. The reserve is open all year round, and the visitor centre can be opened to coach parties and groups during the winter months by prior arrangement.

Parc Slip

Our award-winning Parc Slip Nature Reserve is located near Tondu, Bridgend, South Wales. The reserve is a remarkable example of environmental restoration of a former industrial site.

Around 50,000 people visit Parc Slip every year. The site was formerly an opencast coal extraction site and brickworks, but has been carefully returned to nature. It now comprises extensive wetlands, grasslands and woodlands, supporting a wide range of species. The area has become particularly popular with lapwing and skylarks, and supports insects like the Small Blue and Dingy Skipper butterflies, as well as the Scarce Blue-tailed Damselfly.

In 2002, the Campaign for the Protection of Rural Wales recognised the work carried out at Parc Slip by the Wildlife Trust of South and West Wales, by presenting it with one of its Rural Wales Awards. The reserve has also benefited from a £5,000 award from the Hanson Environment Fund, which will be used to carry out further improvement work to the wetland areas.

Parc Slip has its own education and visitor centre, regularly used by schools and local groups. The ground floor classroom area is available for hire during evenings and weekends and during the daytime when not occupied by students. The centre facilities are available to visitors to the reserve and include disabled toilets.

Getting there:
Parc Slip Nature Reserve
Fountain Road,
Tondu,
Bridgend CF32 0EH Grid reference : SS880840 Tel. 01656 724100

Directions :
M4 junction 36 (Sarn Services).
Follow the B4281 towards Aberkenfig
Turn right over the railway crossing (opposite the Fountain Inn)
Follow the road until you see Parc Slip on your left

Opening hours: The reserve is open all year round, and the visitor centre from April to October. Please contact the centre for exact opening times.