Tucked away in the Darran Valley, Parc Cwm Darran is a peaceful, picturesque country park and a winner of a Green Flag award. This beauty belies its history as the site of the former Ogilvie Colliery. Whilst most traces of this previous life have disappeared, there are still a few reminders of that past for you to discover. The visitor centre is a great place to start and has a wealth of information to help you get the most out of your visit. The wonderful Ogilvie Lake nestles in the valley bottom surrounded by an easily accessible lakeside path or wander through the shady woodlands that climb the valley sides.
Discover sunny wildflower meadows at Cwmllydrew Meadows Local Nature Reserve, admire the Wild Boar Amphitheatre or fish in the lake. Keep the youngsters entertained with the playground and “Ogilvie Olympics” assault course.
After all that exercise, why not take a break in the Lakeside Coffee Shop with a cup of tea and delicious homemade cake or make use of the many picnic tables and grassy banks to sit and enjoy the view.
What to See and Do
The Visitor Centre
Where better to start and finish your visit to Parc Cwm Darran than the Visitor Centre. Call in when you arrive to pick up leaflets, take part in interactive displays or get great advice on how to make the most of your visit. Then, when your energy is flagging after a time spent exploring, call back for some well-earned refreshment and find out all the things you’ve missed. There’s always another time!
The Wild Boar Amphitheatre
Thankfully this isn’t a real live boar out to terrorise us but a 35-metre earthwork sculpture and 250 seat outdoor performance space. Designed by the artist Mick Petts, the amphitheatre celebrates one of the Roman Legions which occupied this valley and hunted wild boar in the local oak woodland. Have a look at his fearsome tusks or join us for one of our events that makes use of this unique space.
Wildlife
Like many former industrial sites, Parc Cwm Darran is surprisingly rich in wildlife with its mix of grasslands, woodlands and the lake. Cwmllydrew Meadows Local Nature Reserve is a small example of the former agricultural past of the now demolished Cwmllydrew Farm.
Walks and Trails
Waymarked walking trails are a good introduction to exploring the park and local area.
Healthy Walk (1km) – A gentle walk around Ogilvie Lake on gentle gradient tarmac paths.
There are also a wide range of paths of trails and paths that weave across the park allowing you to explore the valley.
And Then….
Visit the odd-shaped powder store where the explosives for the colliery used to be kept safe. Walk over the unique Grade II protected wooden footbridge that links Bailey Street to Bristol Terrace over the former railway line at Ogilvie Halt. Discover other artworks or compete in the “Ogilvie Olympics.”
Planning your Visit
Where it is: Parc Cwm Darran is in the Darran Valley, close to the village of Deri (CF81 9NR).
How to get there:
- By car – Follow the brown tourist signs from the A469 in Bargoed or Pontlottyn. The main entrance is located just to the north of the village of Deri.
- By bus – Service 1 Bargoed to Merthyr. By bike – Route 469 of the National Cycle Network runs through the park.
- Nearest train station – Bargoed / Pontlottyn
Park hours: The park is open all day. It is also free to access the park.
Car parks: The Main car park and Overflow car parks are located next to the Visitor Centre. The Fisherman’s car park at the southern end of Ogilvie Lake can be reached via Bargoed Terrace in Deri.
Other access points: Route 469 of the National Cycle Network enters the park at both the north and south ends. Other access points are available in Deri village at Bargoed Terrace and Bristol Terrace.
Visitor centre: Open every day with a short closure over the Christmas holiday. Opening hours are the same at the café, opened all year round from 10am to 4.30pm subject to weather.
Café: The café has been run for several years now as a private franchise which has allowed the facility to be opened all year round from 10am to 4.30pm subject to weather.
Toilets: Toilets are available in the Visitor Centre with similar opening hours to the Visitor Centre. Open every day from 8:00am until 4:00pm (winter) and 5:00pm (summer).
Picnic tables: These are available outside the Visitor Centre, by the Fisherman’s car park, by the Memorial Gardens and at several locations around the lake.
Accessibility: Designated disabled parking bays are available in the Main and Fisherman’s car parks. The Visitor Centre has adapted toilets and a lift and an adapted toilet with an external door that is available at all times via a radar key. Visitors with restricted mobility may find parking in the Overflow car park more convenient for the Visitors Centre and utilising the high-level access to the building. The main path around the lake is tarmac, generally flat but with a gentle gradient to and from the Visitor Centre. The cycle route is also tarmac but other paths are a combination of stone dust and natural surfacing. Access control points along the cycle path are mobility scooter friendly and there are plenty of benches available for resting.
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