The second tranche of Cambrian Archaeological Association Walks and Talks will take place in August and September when we will be guiding walks in different areas of Wales, exploring a variety of historic landscapes dating from prehistory to early modern. These are free of charge and open to all. Come and join us by booking on the walks detailed below.
Saturday 31 August. Gwent Levels Historic Landscape, Monmouthshire
Leader: Jan Bailey
This is a gentle but long walk starting at the sea wall at Goldcliff, walking east along the Wales Coast Path to Redwick, and returning by an inland route via Porton and Whitson. The total distance is just over 10 miles, hence it being an all day walk. The Levels, as the name suggests, are flat so the walk is not challenging in terrain, but is in distance – though we will take it slowly with frequent stops to discuss the unique landscape and its archaeology.
After a short detour to look at the site of the Priory at Goldcliff, the walk then takes the coast path to the village of Redwick to look at the flood marks at St Thomas’ Church and the local history display. Here we will break for a picnic lunch (and perhaps some refreshment in the Rose Inn). Next, we follow a quiet lane back to the start. If time permits, we will walk via Porton and the outskirts of Whitson.
Meet at 10.30 for 11.00 start. Expect to be back at start at 17.00. Please bring food and drink for the whole day – there is a café at Goldcliff and a pub at Redwick (but no guarantee they will be open at the time we travel past them). Be prepared for all weathers and wear stout footwear. It can be breezy on the coast path. Well behaved dogs on leads welcome at owner’s risk.
Start point is Seawall, Goldcliff Road, Newport NP18 2PH. What3words: drainage.lamplight.tearfully. Lat, Long: 51.535, -2.90302 NGR ST 37468 82162. Parking is at the roadside. On summer days it can get busy so you may need to park some distance away from the seawall.
Booking (essential as places will be limited}, please email Janet.bailey3@btinternet.com
Saturday , 7 September Barry through time and tide. Barry, South Wales
Leaders: Gwilym Hughes and Diane Williams
A gentle walk and talk to explore the Knap and Barry Island starting at the Roman building close to the foreshore at the west end of Barry.
From here, we will stroll along the promenade taking in Cold Knap Point and Watchtower Bay before crossing to Barry Island. Here, we will explore the development of the island through from the Bronze Age to the early medieval times of St Baruc and its rise as a seaside resort in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. We will also look at the industrial development of the docks which gave rise to the town of Barry itself.
There are ample places to find lunch on the island.
From here, we will return via Watchtower Bay so stout shoes are recommended unless you fancy a paddle! For those keen to see Barry Castle, we can continue on foot or by car to complete the day.
Meeting Place: Knap Terrace car park, Barry CF62 6QP / OS Explorer No 151.
Time and duration: meet at 11am. We aim to finish by 4pm.
Car Parking: Knap Terrace is a free car park with toilets and (occasionally) a coffee cart.
Clothing: Please wear stout walking shoes and weatherproof clothing.
Booking: If you would like to join us, please contact Diane on dianemwilliams@btinternet.com or 07714 378829
Saturday 28th September, Pendinas Hillfort, Aberystwyth, mid Wales
Leader: Toby Driver
This walk will explore the mighty Iron Age hillfort of Pendinas, the largest hillfort on the sweep of Cardigan Bay. Recent excavations and surveys as part of the Pendinas Hillfort
Project have shed new light on the defences, houses and chronology of this pre-Roman defended village.
Extensive vegetation clearance on the summit in 2024 has also made areas of the defences more accessible than they previously were. The scale of the prehistoric engineering visible at Pendinas remains impressive, and the Iron Age use of the wider landscape will also be discussed. If we have good weather, we can enjoy extensive views from the hill summit as far as the Llŷn Peninsula and Eryri/Snowdonia in the north, and the Pembrokeshire coast to the south.
Pendinas is a popular destination for walkers and picnickers. Access to the hill top is via good, well-surfaced footpaths but these are steep and strenuous in places and can be muddy and slippery after rain. The hill summit is grass covered but we will avoid any steeper slopes.
Clothing: Please wear stout walking shoes and weatherproof clothing.
Meeting point: 10.30am prompt at entrance to Pendinas Local Nature Reserve in Parc Dinas housing estate, above Penparcau, SY23 1RL.
Map: OS 1:50,000 135. SN 589 800. What3Words: ///exams.angle.chess
Parking: In housing estate or on nearby streets, or at Neuadd Goffa hall in nearby Penparcau suburb (allow 10 mins to walk to start point). Toilets available in nearby Penparcau Community Hub on the Southgate roundabout.
Duration: 2 hours.
Please book via: Toby.driver@rcahmw.gov.uk
Saturday, 28th September Caernarfon to Segontium, NW Wales
Leader: Rachel Swallow
Re-tracing the Medieval Processional Route from Queen’s Gate, Caernarfon Castle, to St Peblig’s Church and Segontium Roman Fort, Caernarfon.
Overview: Experience the historical significance of the recently discovered and interpreted King’s Way route, likely dating to the period of King Edward I and his queen, Eleanor of Castile (from about 1283). This takes us broadly from Queen’s Gate, Caernarfon Castle, along the banks of the River Seiont and St Helen’s Road, to visit St Peblig’s Church (exterior) and Segontium Roman Fort. This short walk aims to unlock imagination, where we explore a blend of Welsh and Arthurian legend, architecture, and archaeological insights.
Duration: approximately/maximum 3 hours
Start Time: 10am. Finish 1pm
Gathering Point: Meet at exterior of, and immediately below, Queen’s Gate, Caernarfon, adjacent to Caernarfon Castle Car Park, LL55 2AY.
Total Walking Distance: approximately 2 – 3 kilometres
Walking conditions: Mostly flat and on pavements/roads. Includes stairs up to/down from a pedestrian overpass
Facilities: Public toilets opposite the exterior of Queen’s Gate, and adjacent to Caernarfon Castle Car Park, LL55 2AY.
Refreshments: We will not be stopping for refreshments during the walk and talk, but do bring what you need while we are walking and visiting sites. There are plenty of restaurants, pubs, cafes etc in Caernarfon for you to visit before and after the walk, if you wish.
Castle Visit: The walk does not include a visit into the castle itself. However, the walk and talk is scheduled to end around lunchtime, allowing you to explore the site for yourself. The castle is owned and managed by Cadw.
What you need to bring/wear: comfortable walking shoes; weather-appropriate clothing; snacks, etc; Cadw membership card, if you have one.
