Pontypool Park — Attraction in Pontymoile

Awoke this morning to such a warm and sunny day that I decided to take a leisurely stroll from my home in New Inn to Pontypool park and remember many happy hours spent there in my childhood some eighty years ago. The park looked lovely, green and verdant and pristine without a scrap of discarded rubbish to be seen and in these early hours, apart from the occasional dog walker I had it to myself. I recalled as a child climbing to the Grotto and entering to gaze at the shells lining the interior walls so, although it is a stiff climb I decided to attempt to visit it one last time. The views from the summit of our valley spread out below were so crisp and clear that I could easily pick out the areas where I had once lived, from the mountain sheltering the Garn and Talywain to Trevethin on my right and Pontypool itself spread out below and swivelling on my heels to gaze down on Pontnewydd and my final destination of New Inn. The sun was warming the air now but there was just a hint of a breeze to cool me down so I decided to see if I could make my way to the Folly tower. I hadn't realised the extent of the walk between Grotto and Folly, with occasional glimpses of the tower encouraging me on but seemingly receding into the distance the more I walked towards it but eventually I arrived and to say it was worth the effort would be a massive understatement. The views from the tower are truly spectacular from every point of the compass drifting greenly away to a hazy blue horizon and I felt grateful to witness it. The walk back down to the park seemed much quicker than the walk up and now there were many more people about, adults children and dogs enjoying this superb facility right on our doorstep which is Pontypool Park. A...

A beautiful, extensive park close to Pontypool town. There is plenty of free parking plus public toilets & a cafe situated in the on-site leisure centre. As well as the usual things situated in parks such as a large playground and plenty of grass to play games, there is also a dry ski slope. I walked north through the peaceful American Gardens (named because of the Californian Giant Redwood trees that grow there along with Monkey Puzzle trees) to the Gorsedd stone circle. This was erected for the National Eisteddfod of Wales which was held in the park in 1924. I continued on past the old woodkeeper's cottage that looks like the gingerbread house out of Hansel and Gretel and carried on climbing to the footpath leading to the Folly. The Folly was built in about 1765 and has spectacular views of the Bristol Channel and across Monmouthshire. It was open for visitors yesterday as it was a bank holiday but there was a queue to get in. Donations are welcome to help with the maintenance. If you carry on along the ridge past the Folly you will eventually end up in Goytre/Mamhilad but I turned around and went straight down to the Shell Grotto located at the edge of the woods. As it only opens for visitors a few times each year there was a very long queue to go in so I didn't bother. It was built in the 18th century as a hunting lodge for the Hanbury family and the inside is decorated with shells and animal bones. The last part of my walk took me through the woods (which were a bit eerie!) back to the start near the American Gardens. The whole walk took about 3 hours including a stop for a picnic by the Folly. It's a very dog friendly park/walk although they have to be on leads in certain places due...

Great place to be with all the family.

They have a leisure centre on site, with cafe, swimming pool, hot tub, sauna and gym. The pool has hydroslides and a small baby/toddler pool on its own. They have certain days and times where they bring out floaties for the kids.

The cafe is dog friendly which is nice if you want to go on a good walk around the park as it's huge with lots of secret beauty spots.

There's also a ski ramp and lift a long with instructors.

There's a lovely pond with picnic benches which is brilliant to visit on a sunny day with a picnic and your dog.

There are tennis courts. A children's park with sections suitable for a toddler and sections for older kids so everyone is happy. There's also a small skate park with ramps etc for the teens.

There's some beautiful flower displays in the summer, a band stand, an Olympic sports ground area with stands, a river running through the edge of the park.

The pontypool park also holds a firework display which is good with music playing.

Overall it's a great...