\u201cWell it\u2019s an orchard meadow really,\u201d says ecologist Jo Porter. National Trust\u2019s Robert Parkinson agrees. \u201cIt used to be grazed,\u201d he says. \u201c\u2019Till we planted fruit trees on it 11 years ago, the school children helped. Welsh varieties, mostly apple. And then we noticed without the sheep, the wildflowers were coming back.\u201d<\/div>\n
The pupils collected yellow rattle seed from nearby Cwrt Farm. Everything else just appeared \u2013 eyebright, orchids<\/a>, cuckooflowers and later in summer, knapweed, selfheal, sneezewort and more. See how many species you can spot on this 2.5-mile walk.<\/div>\n
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Discover a country garden near you<\/h4>\n
From coastal terraced gardens to Italianate marvels, here is our pick of the best country gardens to visit in spring and summer in the UK.<\/p>\n
- Best country gardens to visit in the UK<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>
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![\""Country\"](\""https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/22\/2022\/04\/Royal-Hillsborough-5710f30.jpg?quality=45&resize=556,556"\" "\\"\"Hillsborough\\"")
<\/div><\/div> <\/div> <\/section><\/div>\n\nPlas yn Rhiw walk<\/h2>\n
2.5 miles\/4km | 185m accent | 1.5 hours | easy\u2013moderate<\/em><\/div>\n<\/div>\n1. Plas yn Rhiw<\/h4>\n
We will save Plas yn Rhiw and its orchard meadow till last. For now, begin at the car park. Walk up the road, take the gate left and follow Wales Coast Path signs down through fields \u2013 with sea views \u2013 into Garth Woods.<\/div>\n2. Mynydd Rhiw<\/h4>\n
Mature ivy-festooned and moss-clad trees crowd the path as if curious of walkers, while bluebells congregate on the slope. Continue to the gate.<\/div>\nTurning right, follow Wales Coast Path signs uphill, keeping to the wall, admiring craggy Mynydd Rhiw ahead.<\/div>\n\n![\"""\"]( "\\"\"\"\\"\/")
<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>Paths around Plas yn Rhiw\/Credit: Eirian Evans, Geograph<\/span><\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/div>\n 3. Pant cottage<\/h4>\n
Bear right where the track divides, joining the \u2018circular walk\u2019 to Pant cottage.<\/div>\nPass through a gate, in front of a row of cottages, then another gate and more properties till reaching the road at Rhiw.<\/div>\n4. Capel Nebo<\/h4>\n
Turn left, passing Capel Nebo. Rhiw developed to accommodate manganese-mining families \u2013 the mines stud these coastal hills.<\/div>\nAt the crossroads turn right passing the old school. At the next crossroads turn left.<\/div>\n\nDiscover more walks in Wales<\/h4>\n
Discover 30 of the best walks in Pembrokeshire, the Brecon Beacons, Snowdonia and more stunning landscapes with our round-up of favourite walks in Wales.<\/p>\n
- Best walks in Wales<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>
<\/p><\/div>
![\""Llyn\"](\""https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/22\/2020\/04\/Cwm-Idwal-Wales-0a1c74c.jpg?quality=45&resize=556,556"\" "\\"\"Cwm\\"\/")
<\/div><\/div> <\/div> <\/section><\/div>\n5. Confluence of paths<\/h4>\n
Almost immediately take the rough track behind the houses on your right and follow it towards the hills. The landscape character changes, becoming tussocky heathland and crags. Nearby are prehistoric settlements and a Neolithic axe factory.<\/div>\nKeep watch for green woodpeckers. On reaching rough ground at a confluence of paths keep right, sticking to the field wall. Follow the footpath sign over a stonewall stile into a field. Following the waymarks, climb the next stonewall stile and turn right down field to pass through a gate.<\/div>\n\n![\"""\"]( "\\"\"\"\\"\/")
<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>St Aelrhiw\u2019s Church\/Credit: Alan Fryer, Geograph<\/span><\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/div>\n 6. St Aelrhiw\u2019s Church<\/h4>\n
On the road turn right, passing the Old Rectory and then St Aelrhiw\u2019s Church, taking the road straight downhill in front of it.<\/div>\nKeep on the steep road heading downhill, till reaching Plas yn Rhiw manor house gardens and tea room, and the wooded path leading to the orchard meadow, which is redolent now, in blossom.<\/div>\n\n![\"""\"]( "\\"\"\"\\"\/")
<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>Plas yn Rhiw in full bloom\/Credit: Eirian Evans, Geograph<\/span><\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/div>\n \nPlas yn Rhiw map<\/h2>\n
- Best walks in Wales<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>
![\"""\"](\""https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/22\/2023\/02\/Plas-yn-Rhiw-8289661-e1676387201713.jpg?quality=90&resize=616%2C413"\" "\\"\"\"\\"\/")
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<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>![\"""\"](\""https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/22\/2023\/02\/Plas-yn-Rhiw-walking-route-and-map-526d5f7-e1676386862910.png?quality=90&resize=620%2C413"\" "\\"\"\"\\"\/")
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