Cwm Cadlan

Cwm Cadlan is a mosaic of wet grassland fields in a small valley to the north west of Merthyr Tydfil. Lime-rich waters cascade through the reserve and sustain the unique marshy grassland habitat, as well as the great variety of specialised plants and animals that live there.
Marshy grassland and wetlands like this are now uncommon features of the countryside, with many areas having been drained used instead in agriculture.

The reserve is part of the Cwm Cadlan Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) & Special Area of Conservation (SAC).

Grid Ref: SN952095 Area: 32.93 hectares

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Visiting

A single path runs across the reserve, the surface of which is a little rough, with loose stones under the feet.

Although relatively level, there are a few steeper sections of the run, and the path can also get muddy and slippery with poor weather.

Photo ©CCW

The site is grazed by cattle, and there are several field gates on the route, as well as a wooden bridge over the stream. Access to certain areas of the site are restricted because of the sensitive plant life, but visitors can wander at will in the higher - and drier - fields to the east.

How to get there

The reserve can be reached from Hirwaun along the minor road that leaves the A4059 at Penderyn.

Although there are no formal parking facilities, roadside parking is possible near the main entrance with space for about three vehicles.

Public Transport
Unfortunately, there is no public transport directly to the reserve. You can get more information on available services to Hirwaun by contacting Traveline Cymru on 0871 2002233. or on www.traveline-cymru.org.uk

Facilities

There are no toilets on site, with the nearest public toilets nearby in Hirwaun.

Who looks after it?

The reserve is managed by CCW.

You can contact the southern region reserves team via the CCW enquiries help line on 0845 1306229 or by email at enquires@ccw.gov.uk. You can also write to us at the address under ‘Contact the team’.

Wildlife

Photographs ©CCW

Around half of the site is covered by marshy grassland with a range of typical plants, including:

Purple moorgrass
Sharp-flowered rush
Devil’s-bit scabious
Orchids

Some areas of the fen have more alkaline conditions, and these areas support sedges and other species such as:

Carnation sedge
Tawny sedge
Flea sedge

Certain liverworts and mosses also thrive, like the charmingly named greasewort and claw-leaved hook-moss.

Other typical plants in the alkaline fen include the:

Butterwort [insectivorous]
Bogbean
Marsh lousewort

The reserve is particularly important for populations of many uncommon plant species, including:

Broad-leaved cottongrass
Knotted pearlwort
Marsh helleborine

On the drier ground grasses and herbs live together, such as:

Common bent
Red fescue
Sweet vernal-grass
Rough hawkbit
Lady’s-mantle
Great burnet

The rare globeflower is also found in scattered populations across the reserve.

Most of the plants only flower in those areas that are ungrazed in the summer or cut for hay. Often, these areas are left ungrazed during the flowering period, enabling the plant to set seed for the next season.