Coed Ffordd Pererin, Carmarthenshire

Coed Ffordd Pererin ( or Pilgrim’s Way Wood) is a very quiet, private woodland, set in the north western corner of Allt y Gelli, closest to the Taf estuary. It presents a good opportunity to diversify the tree species in the woodland as it currently mainly consists of spruce which would benefit from thinning.

It's a lovely location close to the village and estuary beach of Llansteffan, reachable by foot via the footpath which crosses through the southern part of the wood, and the location and level ground throughout Coed Ffordd Pererin mean there is great potential here to create camping areas for family forestry. Parts of the larger woodland Allt y Gelli (although not Coed Ffordd Pererin itself) are designated PAWS (Plantation on Ancient Woodland Site), with a few areas of Ancient Semi Natural Woodland. From what we are now learning about the connectivity of tree growth and the microrhyzome networks within soil and forests, this could well be seen to have a beneficial impact on any new planting in Ffordd Pererin and its development or restoration.

Trees: Coed Ffordd Pererin is predominantly spruce. Planting records, unfortunately incomplete, suggest that it was planted with mainly Norway Spruce in 1962, but there are no records of subsequent planting. The planting is dense and would benefit from thinning, but the benefit of this planting is the shelter and privacy it provides, which could be made use of to shelter areas of new planting in diversifying the woodland.  There are a lot of windblown trees in the wood at the moment, but these would provide an easily accessible source of timber or firewood.

Along the earth bank which runs through the woodland on an east/west axis in the southern half of Ffordd Pererin, you will find some lovely specimens of oak, and the stream bank on the woodland's south eastern boundary supports various broadleaf species of various ages including hazel and holly; ash, oak and birch sapling.

Under the power line which cuts across the north western corner of the woodland, vegetation comprises of scrubby alder, willow, hazel as well as willowherb and wildflowers enjoying access to the light. Western Power require occasional access to the lines for maintenance and to keep any vegetation in check if the owner does not wish to take on this task themselves. The need to keep tree growth in check could be taken as an opportunity to create insect friendly wildflower meadows in this area.

Wildlife: The proximity of Coed Ffordd Pererin to the Taf estuary means sea birds can be seen and heard, wheeling above.

Access: A good stone track, steep in part, gives access to Coed Ffordd Pererin from the locked gated entrance off a minor public road.

The public footpath that runs through Coed Ffordd Pererin links to the Wales Coastal path which following west would take you to Laugharne or travelling east, would take you to the closer Llansteffan.

The woodland also benefits from a private right of way from the north western tip of the wood out to the public highway to the west of the wood. This route has not been used for many years, and is heavily overgrown, but has the benefit of being flat if a new owner wished to open it back up.

Boundaries: The western and northern boundary are fenced from adjoining farmland. The  southern boundary is marked with (fresh) mauve paint on wooden marker stakes and trees (see photo 16). The southern half of the eastern boundary is the stream; the northern half of the eastern boundary is an earthbank, with marker posts painted mauve on the Coed Ffordd Pererin side and blue on the opposite side (very faded – see photo 17)

Fencing: ownership unknown and no known fencing obligations

Ground conditions: All of the wood is pretty dry underfoot in the summer. Most of the wood stays dry in the winter as well, but there are a few areas, particularly near the stream, that become very wet and boggy. If you encounter one of these areas when viewing it is best to go round it!

Local area and history: Laugharne, where Dylan Thomas' house and writing shed can be visited, is just across the Taf estuary to the west, and the lovely village, beach and castle of Llansteffan is 10 minutes to the east.

From Llansteffan it's possible to catch the famous amphibious ferry across the Afon Twyi to Ferryside during summer months. Ferryside and Llansteffan were the summer holiday destinations of choice for miners from the Rhondda valley during the early 20th century, making the most of the train line running up the Carmarthenshire coast line as it still does today, serving many small stops between Cardiff and Carmarthen. This was the last time the ferry crossing was in popular use.

There is the possibility of extensive walking or cycling via the public footpath which connects to the miles of Wales Coastal footpath and cycling routes.

Covenant: in common with the neighbouring woodlands, there is a covenant designed to ensure that all can have quiet and peaceful enjoyment of their woodland.

Photographs: were taken in October and November 2025.

Video Tour:  Short video of the wood

VIEWING: You are welcome to visit this wood by yourself.  Please ensure that you have a copy of these sales details with you: we recommend either printing the details or downloading them to your phone/tablet/laptop before you go. Please take care when viewing as the great outdoors can contain unexpected hazards and woodlands are no exception.

Interested in this woodland? Get in touch with us:

Contact Sandra Colley on 07769654392 or email us at [email protected] with your details.