Rogiet Poorland

On the edge of the Gwent Levels, you can enjoy the rich variety of trees in the leafy woodland and the fascinating wildflowers and insects of the limestone grassland.

Location

Minnetts Lane
Rogiet
Caldicot
Gwent

OS Map Reference

ST 453 883
A static map of Rogiet Poorland

Know before you go

Size
1 hectare
z

Entry fee

No
P

Parking information

There is limited parking for one or two cars at the reserve entrance (grid ref ST 45268 88360)

Grazing animals

Livestock

Walking trails

There is a circular footpath around the reserve.

Access

The path is gently sloping in places and there are some steps. Livestock occasionally grazes on the reserve.

Dogs

On a lead

When to visit

Opening times

Open at all times

Best time to visit

Spring and summer

About the reserve

This charming reserve hosts areas of woodland and scrub, as well as a small remnant of limestone grassland, a habitat that is increasingly uncommon in Gwent.

The woodland is filled with aspen, ash and alder, draped in ivy and spongy green mosses. At the woodland margins, red campion and sweet violet flourish in the shade. In the open limestone grassland, wildflowers provide a banquet for foraging insects, like the brown argus butterfly. Adders live and breed on the reserve; they are most likely to be seen in spring and early summer basking in warm sunshine on the edge of scrub patches.

History
The reserve is so-named as it was part of an area of ‘Poorland’, set aside for the local labouring poor when the rest of the land on the vast Tredegar Estate was enclosed. Up until the end of the 19th Century the land was farmed before being left derelict and used as a tip. With the lack of grazing, trees and shrubs naturally colonised the reserve, forming the diverse woodland that exists today.

Gwent Wildlife Trust bought the site in 1991 and restored the area as a reserve for wildlife.

Directions
By car
From the B4245 in Rogiet, turn into Minnetts Lane, opposite Station Road (signposted Severn Tunnel Junction railway station). Pass under the motorway and keep left, continuing along Minnetts Lane. The reserve entrance is another 1km, on the right.

Near the reserve
Gwent Wildlife Trust’s Magor Marsh, Brockwells Meadows and Lower Minnetts Field reserves are close by.

Neighbouring Slade Woods has a network of footpaths and a very good diversity of woodland wildlife. For historical interests, there are the Roman remains at Caerwent and Caldicot Castle and Country Park.

 

 

Contact us

Gwent Wildlife Trust
Contact number: 01600 740600
Contact email: info@gwentwildlife.org