3. Wern Plemys Nature Reserve

This 6.1 hectare reserve consists of three wildflower meadows and a large area of woodland. The reserve lies on the site of a former coal-mine and is a wonderful example of how nature can reclaim an area.

What to look out for:

Just below the main meadow are the crumbling walls of an old farmhouse. The farmer would have used the meadow for grazing his animals. The Trust continues this traditional form of management by grazing the meadows with Exmoor ponies.

Excellent views of the meadows, woodland and Ystradgynlais can be seen from the disused railway line running along the eastern boundary of the reserve. The line can be accessed from the upper right-hand corner of the main meadow.

The meadows feature a range of uncommon plants such as ragged robin, great burnet and devil's bit scabious. The damper parts provide excellent habitat for frogs.

The woodland contains trees such as oak, ash, hawthorn and alder and provides home to a range of woodland birds. If you are lucky, you may see a green woodpecker with its green and yellow colouring, red head and undulating flight.

Take the B4599 from the centre of Ystradgynlais towards Glanrhyd. Just before the river, turn left into Pantyffynon Road. Follow this road until it ends in a small car-park. Follow the path through two kissing gates and over a small bridge with blue railings. The path curves left and up the hill to the reserve entrance.

Nearest town: Ystradgynlais. Post code SA9 1ES.

OS map sheet 160. Grid reference SN 788 092

The reserve is an open access reserve, you are allowed to visit the reserve on foot for your quiet enjoyment of the wildlife present. Please keep to the paths and any dogs under close control.

There may be ponies on site, please do not approach them or feed them. Additionally there may be electric fencing to keep them off parts of the site, please cross this with care.

There are no trails as such around the site but there are several short stretches of boardwalk to cross wetter areas. The site can be very wet at all times of year.