Menai Strait wildlife and woodland walk
Explore the walled woodland that is Glan Faenol. Catch a glimpse of a seal in the Menai Strait and see how many bird species you can identify from the hides and platforms.
Find a myriad of wildlife in the Menai Strait
Explore varied native woodland and ancient parkland with views of the house and gardens at Plas Newydd and the hills of Snowdonia.
Map
Start:
Picnic area at Glan Faenol, grid ref: SH532698
1
Head to the bottom of the picnic area and through the kissing gate, continue straight down the field (with dogs on leads) towards the Menai Strait.
View across the Menai Strait
You'll be able to appreciate the splendour and grandeur of Lord Anglesey's residence Plas Newydd from Glan Faenol. And if, in turn, you visit Plas Newydd, take a walk in the manicured gardens and beautiful woodlands. From there you can look across to Glan Faenol, where you are now, and appreciate the stunning views of Snowdonia.
2
As you approach the edge of the field you'll see the Faenol Wall (a listed monument and an example of the wealth of the estate in its heyday). Climb the steps to the bird hide to peak over the wall and see what wildlife you can glimpse. Oystercatchers, cormorants and curlews are just a few of the birds commonly seen in the shallows, and you may even see a seal as it feeds in the Strait. After enjoying the view leave the hide and take the gate into the woodland.
Bird hides at Glan Faenol
The bird hides allow you to take a look over the imposing wall that surrounds the entire Faenol Estate. The wall itself is a listed monument and on its completion was the largest structure of its type in Wales. Look out for a wide variety of seabirds or even a local seal swimming past.
3
Depending on the season, as you follow the path through the trees enjoy the colourful show of spring flowers or some quite special autumn colours. See if you can spot an interesting traditional structure hidden in the woodland on the other side of the Strait (the raised bench is a good place to do this). The structure is in Plas Newydd Gardens and is a great place to explore after your walk. Leave the woodland through another small gate.
The woodland colours of Glan Faenol
Whether in spring or autumn, you're guaranteed a good show of colour as you walk around the Glan Faenol Estate. You'll see a wide variety of spring flowers beneath the woodland canopy and enjoy the spring smells of wild garlic and other flowers. The rich mix of broad-leaved trees also gives you a spectacular autumn display of colour.
4
You can now climb the viewing platform for another peak over the wall at the Marquess of Anglesey's historic home, Plas Newydd. Now turn your back on the Strait and walk up the field 50yd (45m) or so to a bridge and kissing gate on your right. Go through the gate and enter Boat House Wood.
5
As you follow the path through the wood see what differences you can find between this and the previous wood. Which is your favourite and why are they different? Eventually you'll cross another bridge and then come to a track. You can cut the walk short here by turning left and following the track up until you reach some green gates. Go through the gates (which date back to when the estate had a menagerie of exotic animals and deer for hunting). Follow the tree-lined avenue to another gate, here you can turn left to return to the car park.
6
Cross over the track and plunge into another different woodland area. How many different types of tree can you see as you follow the path through this young, natural woodland? After climbing some steps go through a kissing gate into a field.
7
Keeping dogs on leads, walk up the field, following the fence on your left. You're now in an area of ancient parkland surrounded on all sides by woodland. Take a moment to enjoy the beauty and seclusion as you walk up the field.
8
At the top of the field enter Cefn Gwyn Woodland through another kissing gate. Follow the path past the mature oak, ash and sycamore trees until you reach another kissing gate.
9
Through this gate follow the fence across the top of the field to another kissing gate. Through this gate turn left and walk diagonally across the field to the gate under the trees.
10
You'll see a triangular gate: this is our Culrew gate and it's designed to allow sheep access but prevent cattle from entering the path. Go through this gate and follow the path until you reach a large kissing gate.
11
Go through this last gate and turn left to take a well-deserved rest in the picnic area.
End:
Picnic area at Glan Faenol, grid ref: SH532698
