Goldcliff Lagoons

Saline lagoons and scrapes behind the sea wall on the Severn, with hides and one of the best places in Wales for passage waders.

Distance: 3.1 mi / 5 km
Time: 1 hr 45
Ascent: 15 m
Difficulty: Easy
Shape: There and back

Where it is

The circle shows the general area, not the exact start. Use the directions link below to get to the car park itself. Contours and paths shown are OpenTopoMap, drawn from OpenStreetMap data.

The route

Tracks lead from the car park to the hides and the sea wall. Flat throughout.

Worth knowing

Spring and autumn passage brings scarce waders; the hides are worth the wait.
The lagoons are managed at different water levels to suit different species.
Combine with the main Newport Wetlands reserve a couple of miles west.

What you’ll see

Lagoons and scrapes, hides, the sea wall, and the Severn estuary beyond.

Background

Goldcliff takes its name from the yellow lias cliff, noted by Gerald of Wales in 1188 as appearing to glitter.