The new 2.5 mile trail, ‘The Celtic rainforest’, encourages people to learn more about Coed Felinrhyd and its importance as one of the UK’s oldest woodlands, thousands of years in the making. Forming part of the Society’s national Discovering Britain project, the self-guided trail provides visitors with the the story behind a spectacular landscape and a glimpse at its future.
Dr Rita Gardner CBE, Director of the Royal Geographical Society (with IBG), said:
“Coed Felinrhyd woodland was chosen because it of its national value as a surviving fragment of ancient woodland and its extraordinary plant life. Through this trail, we hope to encourage people to explore this magical rainforest, left nearly untouched by human hands and home to a number of rare lichens, mosses and liverworts.
“It’s an incredibly beautiful walk, with plant life covering every surface along the valley’s fast-flowing streams. Visitors will have the chance to learn about the geographical forces that have created and continue to impact on this landscape, one of European importance.”
The new trail was created by the Society with support from staff at the Woodland Trust, which manages Coed Felinrhyd alongside neighbouring Llennyrch. Both have a place in Welsh myth, with the woodland possibly in existence since trees first re-colonised Wales after the last Ice Age. A rare Ice Age species of lichen was identified in Wales for the first time at Coed Felinrhyd in 2015.
Detailed trail information, a location map and a downloadable written guide are available for users on the Society’s Discovering Britain website: discoveringbritain.org
Discovering Britain is a national network of free walk, trails and viewpoints, all exploring the hidden geographical stories behind Britain’s most interesting and diverse landscapes. The project forms is the heart of a new initiative by the Society to enourage the public to discover more about the UK’s places, environments and people
ENDS
Notes to editors:
1. For further media enquiries, including interview and image requests, please contact the RGS-IBG’s Communications and Media Officer, Scott Edwards, at s.edwards@rgs.org or 020 7591 3019.
2. Discovering Britain is a series of geographically-themed walks, trails and viewpoints that bring the stories behind Britain’s landscapes alive, inspiring everyone to explore and learn more about Britain. Each activity engages the brain as well as the feet as they explore how our amazing towns, cities, countryside and coast have been shaped by people, historic events, the economy, and the forces of nature.
3. The Royal Geographical Society (with the Institute of British Geographers) is the learned society and professional body for geography. Formed in 1830 for 'the advancement of geographical science', today we deliver this objective through developing, supporting and promoting geographical research, expeditions and fieldwork, education, public engagement, and geography input to policy. We aim to foster an understanding and informed enjoyment of our world. We hold the world's largest private geographical collection and provide public access to it. We have a thriving Fellowship and membership and offer the professional accreditation 'Chartered Geographer’ www.rgs.org