Wentwood, near Newport

Largest area of ancient woodland in Wales

What's here

Parking (free)
Picnic area

Tree felling operations are taking place in order to comply with a Plant Health Notice issued on the larch trees within the woodland. The Larch has been infected with Phytophthora ramorum (larch Disease).

Access to the forest will remain open, but to keep visitors safe, restrictions will be in place in the affected areas.

If you are local and still visiting the woodland, please follow our signs for diversions and closures.

Coronavirus update

Our sites and most visitor facilities are open.

We have changed the normal route for some of our trails to help you maintain social distancing – please follow signs on site.

Welcome

Wentwood was once a hunting preserve for Chepstow Castle but nowadays it is a peaceful place to explore and enjoy nature.

The forest covers over 1000 hectares and is scattered with archaeological features from ancient trackways to the remains of an old mill.

Most of the original native trees here were felled during the middle of the 20th century to make way for fast-growing, timber-producing conifers.

We are restoring Wentwood to native broadleaved woodland and our ancient woodland restoration project has been accredited under the Queen's Commonwealth Canopy initiative.

Visiting Wentwood

You can explore Wentwood on foot, bicycle or horseback.

There is a welcome panel in the car park with a map and information about what to see.

There are also marker posts to help guide you along the paths through the forest.

In spring the paths are surrounded by carpets of bluebells.

Look out for wood ant nests - these mounds stand up to 4 feet high.

Enjoy the harmony of bird song and you may spot deer or even an adder.

Closures and diversions

Sometimes we need to close or divert trails for your safety whilst we undertake maintenance work or other operations.
We may have to close a site in extreme weather, such as high winds or snow and ice, due to the risk of injury to visitors or staff.
Please always follow any instructions on site and any temporary diversion signs.