Pengelli Forest

Why is Pengelli Forest Special?

This area has been tree-covered since the last Ice Age and is now the largest remaining ancient oak woodland in West Wales.  Many plants and animals which are now scarce in the wider countryside thrive here. These include the dormouse, the barbastelle bat and the silver-washed fritillary butterfly. 

A spring or summer visit is rewarded with an outstanding display of woodland flowers.
Pengelli Forest is part of the largest block of ancient Oak woodland in West Wales. The varied ground flora includes Wood Millet, Wood Sedge, Moschatel, Wood Anemone, Violets and Golden Saxifrage. Adder’s Tongue Fern, Early Dog-violet and Water Avens also occur.

Among the rich diversity of mammals are Polecats, Woodmice and Bank Voles and Dormice. The rare Barbastelle bat is one of eight species of bat which roost and forage in the woodland.

Common cow wheat

Interesting invertebrates include the Oil Beetle, Dark and Speckled Bush Crickets, and Woodland butterflies including the White Letter and Purple Hairstreaks, and Silver-washed Fritillary.
The range of birds is typical of such a woodland with species including Redstart, Wood Warbler, Buzzard, Chiffchaff, Tawny Owl and Sparrowhawk with Woodcock visiting in the Winter.                   

A remarkable history...

During the 16th Century the forest extended for more than 200 acres and was owned by the Elizabethan Historian of Pembrokeshire, George Owen. For centuries the forest has been of great importance to the local economy. Oak was felled for charcoal burning and the bark used for leather tanning. Hazel and Ash were cut for hurdle, tool handles and firewood. Alder was used to make clogs.

These woodland management activities created sheltered, well lit open spaces or ‘glades’ where trees had been felled, allowing plants and animals to flourish. One can still find evidence of these activities, such as the ancient pathways used by woodland workers, the charcoal hearths of Pant-Teg Wood and many of the trees themselves, regrown from long ago coppicing activity. Some of the giant stools are now hundreds of years old.

Stream in Pengelli Forest

Between 1914 and 1930 virtually all the trees were felled to make pit props and extracted along a tramline, part of which is still visible. For over half a century the forest remained untouched as the trees re-grew from their stumps to form a dense woodland with little light reaching the forest floor. During this period cattle grazed the forest restricting regeneration of plants and tree seedlings.

Pengelli Forest today...

The first aim of the Wildlife Trust of South and West Wales has been the re-establishment of traditional management, whilst observing and recording wildlife. Rides, footpaths and clearings have been opened. Coppicing of Oaks (regular cutting of trees from the same stump) recommenced. Some timber is removed for use in woodland crafts whilst that remaining is left on the forest floor where woodland creatures make use of the rotting material.