Drostre Wood

Drostre Wood is a small mixed deciduous woodland containing oak and birch. Below the canopy of the tallest trees there is a wide range of smaller tree species including aspen, elder, yew, hawthorn, blackthorn and rowan, with shrubs such as holly and honeysuckle.

Location

Llanywern, Brecon LD3 0TN

OS Map Reference

SO 095 305

Know before you go

Size

3 hectares

Walking trails

There is a waymarked circular trail around the wood along unsurfaced trails. The site can be wet at all times of year. Unfortunately, the trails are unsuitable for wheelchairs.

Access

The wood is located beside the lane that runs between Llechfaen and Llanfilo. It is on the corner where a short side turn in front of The Gables leads to Upper Drostre Farm and Maesygarn. There are no formal parking facilities. Park at the site entrance and take care not to obstruct the lane or gateways.

Dogs

On a lead

When to visit

Opening times

The nature reserve is open access.

Best time to visit

Spring

About the reserve

The floor of the wood is dominated by mosses but in areas where this vegetation is less dense, species such as yellow archangel, herb robert, wood-sorrel, and bluebell can be seen. Alongside a small stream that runs across the reserve from west to east just inside the northern boundary, there are wetter areas with a variety of rush species, willows and opposite-leaved golden-saxifrage.

Dead wood, whether as standing trees or rotting on the woodland floor, is a valuable feature. It is a habitat for large numbers of fungi including the birch polypore and scarlet elf cup. It is relied upon by invertebrates, such as the lesser stag beetle, for nesting, hibernation and food.