Graded Easy - Less than 5 miles and definitely flat!

‘Reclaimed from the sea and shaped by humans over 2 millennia, the Gwent Levels on the River Severn Estuary are a testament to the power of human intervention, the resilience of nature and the passage of time.’ (Living Levels project)

This flat landscape with its system of watercourses known as reens is internationally important. Beyond the sea wall (built to prevent flooding) is an inter tidal zone that is a wonderful example of mud flats and salt marsh with an abundance of birds and plants, some of which are found nowhere else.

Then there’s the history…

The well-preserved footprints of Mesolithic hunter gatherers have been found here, along with Bronze age, Roman and medieval boats.

Following the Romans were the monks of Goldcliff Priory and Tintern Abbey, who repaired and extended the Roman network of sea defences and ditches.

The famous Great Flood of 1607 inundated the Levels and is commemorated in the medieval churches across the area.

See ancient sites, at least one of the medieval churches, the reens and the salt marshes. 

Tide in or out, this landscape is sometimes eerily silent, sometimes wild and tempestuous. We stroll, we see deeper than before, listen to the historical stories and imbibe the unique sense of place.

Despite areas of special scientific interest, the Levels is constantly under threat from industrial development, come and enjoy while you can… There’s more than one pub for refreshments on our stroll!