Pengam Green, Cardiff to the Light House Inn, St Brides Wentlooge – Wales Coast Path

We followed the tidal basin of the Afon Rhymney and soon drop off the main road into the lovely wilderness of Trederlech Park with a fishing lake and bird watching opportunities. Quite a lot of urban rubbish blown into the bushes leading up to the park though – it always disappoints.

We had been dreading the stretch along Lamby Way as it approaches the largest refuse site in Cardiff. Thankfully, it was largely unobtrusive apart from the sound of trucks churning away out of site.

The walk takes us along the waterway until we reach the Great Rumney Wharf –
excavations place the site as Roman. Ancient horse bones have been
discovered. It is suggested that the Roman garrison at Caerleon might have grazed their horses here.

Walking along the sea defences looking inland at the low lying fields – this landscape is so vulnerable. The horses still graze, the land is drained by ditches called reens.

The mud flats and the jigsaw puzzle salt marshes complete the landscape.
Described as uninspiring by a number of writers we find the landscape mesmerising. There is a fine balance between man’s management of the landscape and cruel nature. The Bristol Channel Flood of 1607 wiped out some 3000 people from Chepstow to Carmarthen.

The Lighthouse Inn is a very welcome stop at the end of this walk – with very
friendly staff and locals – the food was pretty good too!

We took a taxi back to Cardiff. The driver confessed that she didn’t have a clue about where anything was in Cardiff! ‘The thought of Cardiff brings me out in a sweat’ she said but with a bit of coaching we got back safely


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