The wild wooded valleys of the Colby Estate offer cooler quieter slopes to meander and contemplate in nature. Covering 79 hectares of native species woodland, these valleys are the beating heart of the project and play a critical role in supporting adjoining farmland, meadows and water systems.
This project is funded by The Woodland Investment Grant (TWIG) scheme. It is being delivered by The National Lottery Heritage Fund in partnership with the Welsh Government.
The history of these wild wooded valleys is rooted in the industrial past of coal mining and the functional use of timber through time. As native species were replaced with fast growing trees such as conifers, a lot of our native woodland species struggled to survive.
By restoring the woodlands to optimum health, the thousands of plants, bryophytes, fungi, insects, birds and mammals dependent on woodland habitats will become part of a functional ecological network.
As the waterways are managed the woodland will retain more water, soil and nutrients whilst filtering the water that flows downstream, providing healthier habitats along the way.
Access improvements are taking place throughout the woodlands and we are extending the areas for access, with new woodlands being planted and updating our gates, bridges and footpaths. We want to provide great places with plenty of access to fulfil everyone's needs whether that's long walks or quiet enjoyment and learning.
This is a fantastic opportunity to restore an area that will flourish from minimal intervention. Nature knows what to do, it just needs a little help to be able find balance again
This project is funded by the Woodland Investment Grant ( TWIG) and has provided us with the opportunity to fulfil the following objectives
August 2025
Contractors have started to get the woodlands ready for the winter weather with sturdy bridge replacements and culverts to divert water away from the paths. Works will continue through the winter with new gates and trails to come.
Find out when Colby Woodland Garden is open, how to get here, the things to see and do and more.
This project is funded by The Woodland Investment Grant (TWIG) scheme. It is being delivered by The National Lottery Heritage Fund in partnership with the Welsh Government.
From the walled garden’s humble beginnings as a kitchen garden, the woodland garden’s acres of heritage to our natural playground, there’s something for everyone.
Long before it became a garden, the Colby estate played an active part in Pembrokeshire’s coal industry. Discover more about the garden and the lives of its occupants.
Colby’s wooded valley is teeming with creatures great and small. Look out for birds, bugs, very rare bats and even the occasional otter.
We rely on volunteers to help with the many different areas of the garden we look after, which means there are plenty of interesting roles to consider.
Every 20 years a census is carried out to assess the size of the Manx shearwater colony on islands off the Pembrokeshire coast. The latest survey showed very promising results.
On the surface all may appear peaceful and tranquil, but behind the scenes we’re busy restoring these ancient woodlands.