All walks › Newport and the Gwent Levels
Newport and the Gwent LevelsNewport Wetlands
Reedbeds, lagoons and saltmarsh on the Severn estuary, with a lighthouse on the sea wall and starling roosts in winter that draw people from across the country.
- Distance
- 3.1 mi / 5 km
- Time
- 1 hr 40
- Ascent
- 10 m
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Shape
- Circular
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
Surfaced paths and boardwalks loop through the reedbeds to the estuary wall and the lighthouse, returning past the lagoons. Level throughout.
Worth knowing
- Starling murmurations over the reedbeds on winter afternoons are the reserve’s set piece.
- The Severn has the second highest tidal range in the world and the estuary changes completely between tides.
- Bearded tits live in the reedbeds and are most often seen on still mornings.
What you’ll see
Reedbeds, the East Usk lighthouse, waders on the estuary, and starlings in winter.
Background
The reserve was created in 2000 as compensation for habitat lost to the Cardiff Bay barrage, on the site of a former power station ash tip.