Cefn Ila — Attraction in Llanbadoc

Unique Woodland Trust site featuring a mature Victorian arboretum which includes many rare pine varieties, a secret walled garden containing a visitor shelter and remains of a boiler heated greenhouse and coldframe, a mature apple and pear orchard, restored lake and a large newly planted native species woodland with accessible paths suitable for all. There are many surprises to find, musical instruments beside paths, "window into the past," sculptures and art installations telling some of the story of the site's past and various rare varieties of rhododendron and daffodils. Can you can locate the old tennis court? A dog walker and bird...

Having heard about this place from a friend I made the trip here.

There is ample parking and various paths to follow with installations to pique your interest.

There's a giant xylophone? in one clearing that makes a great sound, various shelters made of branches, a walled garden, giant sequoia's and a sculpture dedicated to the former maternity hospital that used to be on the site to be found. You can then follow a path east of the reserve and head to the nearby town of Usk.

I racommend this location for walkers and families as I'm sure kids would love to explore all that Cefn Ila...

Only found out about this pleasant Nature Reserve the day before our visit. It is a bit fiddly to find, but once you do, what a treat you are in for. Once the site of a Maternity Hospital, from 1947-1973, many folks' from around and about were born there. Hospital is long gone and in it's place nature has taken over. Dog friendly too, (remember to pick the poop up and TAKE IT HOME TO BIN, not chuck it in a bush/tree)! Highly recommend for a very pleasant few hours' and free of charge! What's...