A tranquil country park tucked away in the Darran
Valley, two miles north of Bargoed. Take an easy
stroll along lakeside paths or wander through shady
woodlands. Discover sunny wildflower meadows
when you follow our short trail through the
Cwmllwydrew Meadows Local Nature Reserve. A
network of cycle paths and scenic trails take you
deeper into the historic landscapes of the northern
Rhymney Valley. Visit the odd shaped Powder Store.
Part of the former Ogilvie Colliery on which the park is built, it has been restored
andis one of the last remaining in Wales.
The lake is one of the park’s main features and over the last 30 years it has been naturally ‘silting up’ (filling with lots of mud, shale and silt), which has changed its appearance and made it harder for people to fish. The lake was drained, de-silted and re-filled to create an open water area and a wetland area for wildlife. While all the water in the lake was being taken out, (to the rangers surprise) there were lots of fish which had to be re-homed temporarily in the quarry pond.
A sandstone dam wall was built below the wetlands to help trap the soil and sand
that washes into the lake from the river to prevent the lake silting up again. 20 fishing platforms made from recycled plastic were also installed (including two all ability platforms).Other works around Park Cwm Darran included the upgrading of 5½ km
of cycle routes to tarmac surfaces and the construction of a ‘trim trail’ exercise/assault course along the lakeside.This recent work improves the appearance of the lake,
makes it a better habitat for wildlife and those wishing to fish in the park
Location: www.multimap.com
Web: www.caerphilly.gov.uk/countryside
Telephone: Parc Cwm Darran on: 01443 875557
