Colby Woodland Garden is a National Trust woodland garden in a secluded valley, approximately ¾ of a mile north of Amroth in Pembrokeshire, Wales. It is listed on the Cadw/ICOMOS Register of Parks and Gardens of Special Historic Interest in Wales.
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We planned a visit here on a very hot day for somewhere to take our dogs that would have plenty of shade and access to water. We spent the morning walking some of the trails around the National Trust site (which form part of the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park), and ventured into the garden proper in the afternoon.
It's free to park and use the trails in the wider area, which have (according to the NT) been recently waymarked. Dogs are welcome, provided they're kept on a lead and you pick up after them. Fair enough!
We used a photo of the trail map on the information board to navigate, but quickly found that the new signposts bore no resemblance to the coloured trails marked on the map at all, and that some paths were not waymarked or mapped. We do a lot of walking and have a good sense of direction, but struggled to manage a circular walk due to these issues. However, it's a lovely area to roam around, especially if you follow a streamside path and let the dogs have a splash!
The main woodland garden is free to NT members but around £8 per adult otherwise, and if you're not a member, I honestly wouldn't bother. It's busier than the other trails, steeper in many places, and contains very similar terrain. There is a small walled garden you can only access from inside, but this doesn't allow dogs. I'd park in the upper car park and go your own way, if I were you!
One thing that really didn't impress us, especially as paid-up NT members, was a complete lack of bins, either in the car parks or within the woodland garden. I'm not sure what they expect people to do with their dog poo bags (presumably drive it 15 miles home, as we did), but consequently there's an abundance of poo to dodge on the walking trails. Surely it wouldn't be expensive just to pop a bin in each car park and one in the entrance to the woodland garden? Feels a bit like lip service is being paid to being dog-friendly, which is a real shame. We'd considered stopping in at the café for tea and cake, but they lost that business... Who's going to sit down at a café with poo bags in...
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Colby Woods: Where Leaves Fall Faster Than Welsh Rain, and Not a Sheep in Sight!"
Well, butter my leeks and call me a dragon enthusiast – our visit to Colby Woods was as enchanting as a leprechaun's jig! Tucked away in the heart of Wales, this National Trust woodland is a symphony of autumn hues and enough rain to make a cloud jealous.
Firstly, the autumn colors – they're more vibrant than a Welsh rugby fan after a win! The trees were shedding leaves faster than I shed tears during a classic British drama. Nature had its own little bonfire of the vanities, and we were front-row witnesses to the spectacle.
The river meandering through the woods was a sight to behold, gurgling along like the local bard spinning a tale of mythical creatures and wizardry. It flowed with such purpose; even the Severn had a run for its money. And fear not, despite the stereotypes, not a single sheep was attempting synchronized swimming in the river – a true rarity in these parts.
Now, let's talk about the rain – ah, the sweet Welsh rain. It fell gracefully, as if each drop were rehearsed for a West End show. It's like the weather forecast read, "Chance of showers with a side of charm." I half-expected Mary Poppins to descend with her umbrella for a sing-along.
Surprisingly, not a single sheep in sight! I was starting to think they handed out woolly umbrellas at the entrance, but Colby Woods proved to be a haven for nature's creatures minus the fluffy lawn mowers.
In conclusion, Colby Woods is a Welsh wonderland that will tickle your funny bone and paint your soul with the hues of autumn. It's more magical than finding a leprechaun's pot of gold at the end of a rainbow. So, if you fancy a stroll through a forest where the leaves fall faster than Welsh rain, Colby Woods is your ticket to a whimsical adventure – just leave the sheep...
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What a lovely place. Very lovely walled gardens and then a pretty park area which although mainly on a hill was very pretty with all its bluebells and flowers.
We used a pond dipping kit here with our nearly 4 year old. He loved it! Found some really cool little mini beasts and he was so pleased to be able to use a net!
The place could do with more sign posts for pathways as we did get 'lost' off the suggested route for buggies more than once!! And the map showed a pathway which could be a good path or a hardly visible path - so it's easy to get lost. Just be prepared!!!
However if you do have children walk to the far end of the site on the top of the hill as there are beautiful bluebells and a children's area to climb on tree stumps. The view is lovely - you can see the sea!! Also in the car park towards the top end (as if heading up to the overflow car park) there are again some logs to play on and a swing.
There is also the Bothy tea room on site. FABULOUS!! They do gluten free bread and all their cakes were gluten free too!!! It was the best best best find of our holiday!! They serve between 12 and 2.45 so get in there for lunch!
Overall a good place for children to run around and burn off energy and pretty for walkers and enjoying...
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