Please be careful - do not put yourself at risk near water!!!
The site lies approximately 1300 – 1350 feet above sea level and comprises 81 hectares of open space situated north of Beaufort and to the south of the A465 Heads of the Valleys Road between Ebbw Vale and Brynmawr.
Car Parking for disabled at the Highlands Road Entrance - travel along the A4047 Road through Beaufort Hill and turn into North Street or Chandlers Road,then Highlands Road.
Car Parking for disabled at the Car Park at the bottom of Little Lane - Look for the Little Lane sign.
History Of The Ponds
Two ponds are adjacent to the woodland area, these ponds are linked to the early days of the industrial revolution. A map dated 1880 shows the existence of the ponds which were built to supply water down to the Nantyglo Ironworks approximately 2 miles distant, the ironworks were built in 1780. After the closure of the Nantyglo Ironworks, water was diverted to supply a new works being built in Ebbw Vale.In 1937,when the new Richard Thomas and Baldwins Steelworks opened in Ebbw Vale, a new reservoir was constructed at nearby Blaen-Y- Cwm and the ponds were kept full by water being released from this reservoir.
Since the closure of the Corus Steelworks at Ebbw Vale in 2002, the reservoir has been acquired by a water company and the ponds now rely entirely on their own small water catchment area.
The Beaufort Hill Ponds and Woodland caches provide a circular walk around the park taking in some wonderful views, lots of wildlife including swans and ducks (dont forget your duck food-not bread please), a variety of different style caches, picnicing spots, bird spotting and rubbings for the children on the way around (dont forget paper and crayons!)
Thankyou to John Hillier at Beaufort Hill Ponds and Woodland for his kind permission to place the caches.