Frog Pond Wood Local Nature Reserve
Frog Pond Wood is a hidden gem. It’s great for short walks, you’ll feel that you’re in the heart of the Welsh countryside despite it backing onto an industrial estate.
The wood is mainly mixed oak/ash woodland, with a pond and some wetland areas. It is three point two hectares large.
There is limited free parking at Pyle Enterprise Centre, and a public car park behind the doctor’s surgery on Bridge Street in Kenfig Hill.
Plant species include: Ash, greater spearwort, hartstongue fern, hazel and sessile oak
Animal species include: Broad-bodied chaser, common frog, damselfly, dragonfly, great tit, moorhen, nuthatch, pipistrelle bat and wood mouse.
Sculpture Trail
Keeper of the Pond
The 'Keeper of the Pond' is one of our ‘Nature Keeper’ oak sculptures. They add interest to our beauty spots, and with the accompanying poetry, they capture the imagination of younger visitors by interweaving mythology into the sites.
Their aim is to spark an emotional connection to our green spaces, and so encourage people to visit as well as care more for them.
History
The wood has a fascinating connection to our industrial past. Look out for the long straight path along the reserve’s eastern edge, which was once a horse drawn tramway.
The tramway, known as the Dyffryn Llynfi and Porthcawl Railway, opened in 1828 as a horse-drawn tram road. It brought the Llynfi Valley’s iron and coal to the coast. The new dock that opened simultaneously in Porthcawl was an integral part of the new transport system.
In the 1860s, a steam-powered railway replaced the tram. You can follow the old tram road which has been redeveloped as a picturesque, family-friendly trail. Look out for QR codes at points along the trail which bring the railway story to life.
Volunteer or take a school trip here
If you want to support this site, make an educational visit, or do countryside volunteering in general, please contact: