Wenallt

When April comes around again my Spring body clock tells me that it’s time to make like a musical screen queen and skip happily to the Wenalt.
The Wenalt is an enchanting woodland, carpeted seasonally with bluebells and only a short drive from central Cardiff. The woodland makes for a special picnic spot, great for romantic walks or family strolls. Wild garlic also grows here.
Primarily you’ll come here to see the stunning flora. Sit quietly and look closely and you may see some amazing fauna too. I never lost my childhood fascination for insects and on one exciting visit to the Wenalt I saw dung beetles in action doing what they do best — rolling horse dung across a path!
I always stick to the paths so as not to damage the bluebells, although sometimes the paths are hard to make out.
This is a real special, tranquil spot, that I feel privileged to be able to access so easily. The Wenalt is not far from Rhiwbina station and might also be a good cycle ride for the super fit.

Thank you Rebecca, this review gave me the chance to discover a place I otherwise might have missed. This is a beautiful wooded area outside Cardiff that really is worth a visit of a summer evening.

Famous amongst locals for its Springtime bluebells, the Wenallt is a proper ancient woodland on a ridge overlooking Cardiff, only just beyond the confines of the city.
There’s a picnic area and car park at the top of the hill and from here it’s a short walk to get a great view across the city, or you can join one of a number of signposted trails. There’s an open grassy field nearby, where people often have picnics or barbecues and play ball games on sunny days.
There are some pretty streams running through the woods, too, and loads of wildlife — last time I went for a walk there I spotted a red, black and white woodpecker (a greater spotted, perhaps? — I’m no expert!) and all sorts of butterflies.
It’s easiest to get there by car; the areas of Rhiwbina and Thornhill are just on the opposite side of the M4 to the Wenallt, and once you get to Wenallt Road itself you’ll find two car parks there.