Coedmor National Nature Reserve, near Cardigan

Welcome

Coedmor is one of the last remnants of a huge forest which existed into medieval times.

The forest was gradually cleared for agriculture and only the woodlands in the steep gorge of the river Teifi survived.

Coedmor is now a National Nature Reserve to protect these rare gorge oak woodlands and their wildlife.

There is a short path down through the gorge to the river.

Walking trail

Look out for the information panel at the start of the trail.

Find out about walking trail grades.

Gorge Walk

• Grade: Strenuous
• Distance: ¼ mile/0.5 kilometre (there and back)
• Time: 30 minutes
• Trail information: The Gorge Walk follows a path from the lay-by which stops at the riverbank.

Follow the short but steep path down through the humid and steep-sided gorge to the bank of the river Teifi.

What to see on the National Nature Reserve

Coedmor is a National Nature Reserve.

National Nature Reserves are places with some of the very finest examples of wildlife habitats and geological features.

The landscape and wildlife varies depending on which time of year you visit – here’s what to look out for.

• Sessile oak is the main tree on the steep gorge slopes but you can also see beech, small-leaved lime, ash, wych elm, sycamore and wild service trees.
• There are over 200 species of lichen thriving in the gorge’s humid conditions.
• Otters use the river and its banks, and in late spring the woodlands attract the upland oak wood trio of wood warbler, redstart and pied flycatcher.
• Thirty one species of butterfly have been recorded in and around the reserve, mainly in the small areas of marshy meadow.
• In autumn there is a fascinating range of fungi here.

National Nature Reserves in Wales

There are over 70 National Nature Reserves in Wales.

Find out more about National Nature Reserves.

Coedmor Mansion gardens

The gardens of Coedmor Mansion were laid out in the Picturesque style in the 19th century and are now part of Coedmor National Nature Reserve.

The mansion is privately owned but you can walk through the gardens and discover the old features, exotic trees and shrubs.

The gardens are set in a relatively level area of the reserve within the woodland above the steep gorge.

Paths with steps and bridges go through the woodland and there is a platform with a view of the river through the trees.

Please respect the privacy of the mansion house's residents and avoid areas marked as private.

To access the gardens there is a small parking area about half a mile along the road from the lay-by at the start of the Gorge Walk – there is a sign in the parking area with a map and information about what to see.

Visiting safely

We want you to return home safely after your visit here.

You are responsible for your own safety as well as the safety of any children and animals with you during your visit.

Please note:

• There are steep slopes and it can be slippery under foot in wet conditions.
• Beware of the river – it is particularly dangerous after heavy rainfall when it can be fast-flowing or flood its banks.
• Please stay within the reserve and do not enter areas marked ‘private’.

For advice and tips to help you plan your visit here go to Visiting our places safely.

Changes to visitor facilities

See the top of this webpage for details of any planned closures or other changes to visitor facilities here.

For your safety, always follow instructions from staff and signs including those for trail diversions or closures.

We may divert or close trails whilst we undertake maintenance work or other operations and we may need to close other visitor facilities temporarily.

In extreme weather, we may close facilities at short notice due to the risk of injury to visitors and staff.

How to get here 

Location

Coedmor National Nature Reserve is 2 miles south east of Cardigan.

It is on the border of Ceredigion and Pembrokeshire.

Ordnance Survey map

Coedmor National Nature Reserve is on Ordnance Survey (OS) Explorer map 198 and OL35.

The OS grid reference for the lay-by at the start of the Gorge Walk is SN 196 445.

The OS grid reference for the small parking area at Coedmor Mansion gardens is SN 195 436.

Directions

From Cardigan take the A484 towards Carmarthen.

After just over 1 mile, turn right at the crossroads onto an unnamed road that soon becomes singletrack.

Continue for another ½ mile and the parking area at the start of the Gorge Walk is on the right - look out for the sign with a map and information about what to see.

To visit the gardens at Coedmor Mansion, continue along the road for ¼ mile.

Just before the road turns sharply left, continue straight ahead onto a track.

Drive carefully along this track for ¼ mile to the small parking area for the gardens – look out for the sign with a map and information about what to see.

Public transport

The nearest mainline railway station is in Clunderwen.

For details of public transport go to the Traveline Cymru website.

Parking

Car parking is free of charge.

There are two small parking areas from which you can walk into the reserve:

• A lay-by on a minor road at the start of the Gorge Walk
• A parking area with space for two cars at the entrance to Coedmor Mansion gardens

Both parking areas are on a minor road, about half a mile apart - see the directions section on this page.

Please note that both parking areas are small, especially the one at the entrance to Coedmor Mansion gardens.

Overnight parking is not permitted.

Contact details

There are no staff at this location.

Contact our customer team for general enquiries during office hours, Monday to Friday.