Bridewell Common

Downs, Moorland in Monmouthshire

Wales

Bridewell Common

The Brinker, Magor Marsh The 2.5m high sculpture represents Anne Williams who lived around 1700.
She was a brinker, a person who owned land on one side of a reen (drainage ditch) and was responsible for its maintenance.
The sculpture is built on a steel framework using steamed white and brown willow to provide colour and texture.
The Brinker was designed and built by Sarah Hatton and Melanie Bastier as part of the Living Levels project. — The Brinker, Magor Marsh Credit: Robin Drayton

Bridewell Common, located in Monmouthshire, is a picturesque area characterized by its rolling downs and expansive moorland. Covering a vast expanse of approximately 500 acres, this natural landscape offers a serene escape for nature enthusiasts and visitors seeking tranquility.

The downs of Bridewell Common are gently sloping hills covered in lush green grasses, interspersed with scattered trees and shrubs. These open spaces provide ample opportunity for outdoor activities such as walking, jogging, and picnicking. The panoramic views from the downs are truly breathtaking, with the surrounding countryside stretching out as far as the eye can see.

The moorland of Bridewell Common offers a stark contrast to the downs, with its rugged and wild terrain. Here, visitors can explore the untamed beauty of the heather-covered hills and rocky outcrops. The moorland is also home to a diverse range of flora and fauna, including rare species such as the black grouse and the curlew. Birdwatchers will be delighted by the variety of avian life that can be spotted in this area.

Bridewell Common is a haven for wildlife, providing a habitat for numerous species. It is a designated Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) due to its ecological significance. Visitors may encounter rabbits, badgers, and even the occasional deer while exploring the area.

Overall, Bridewell Common in Monmouthshire offers a tranquil and captivating natural environment, where visitors can immerse themselves in the beauty of the downs and moorland, while also appreciating the rich diversity of wildlife that calls this area home.

Show me another place!

If you have any feedback on the listing, please let us know in the comments section below.

Bridewell Common Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 51.574607/-2.8185421 or Grid Reference ST4386. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

The Brinker, Magor Marsh

The 2.5m high sculpture represents Anne Williams who lived around 1700. She was a brinker, a person who owned land on one side of a reen (drainage ditch) and was responsible for its maintenance. The sculpture is built on a steel framework using steamed white and brown willow to provide colour and texture. The Brinker was designed and built by Sarah Hatton and Melanie Bastier as part of the Living Levels project.

Robin Drayton

A view from the bird hide, Magor Marsh

There are several little egrets in the trees and shrubs on the far side of the lake. Just to the left of centre there is a glimpse of a gantry for power lines for the South Wales Mainline.

Robin Drayton

Purple loosestrife, Magor Marsh

Magor Marsh was obtained in 1963 by the Gwent Wildlife Trust as its first reserve. It is the last relatively natural area of fenland on the Gwent Levels. In 2014, part of it was under the threat of compulsory purchase from the Welsh Government’s proposed M4 Relief Road development. This project was later abandoned in 2019. However there have subsequently been some suggestions from the UK government that the project should go ahead. It is within the area of The Living Levels Landscape Partnership, a Heritage Lottery Funded Landscape Partnership scheme, which aims to reconnect people and communities to the Gwent Levels landscape and provide a sustainable future for this historic and unique area.

Robin Drayton