Erddig French meadow walk through Emes' pleasure park
Erddig's French meadow trail is a 3.5-mile circular walk in Wrexham around a red waymarked route through a mix of riverside paths, a meadow and woodland.
Discover the natural lake and wetland wildlife
With over 30 ponds on the estate, the lake in the French meadow was formed in the 1980s by subsidence caused by coal mining. Today it is an oasis for a wide variety of birds, mammals and invertebrates.
Total steps: 17
Total steps: 17
Start point
Erddig car park, grid ref: SJ326481
Step 1
Start by the dovecote and walk east through the coach park, continuing straight on to the stony track. On your right you'll see the dead oak tree (Quercus robur), which is home to barn owls and a myriad of invertebrates.
Step 2
Follow the path round to the left and past the ha-ha.
Step 3
Continue along the path and enter Big Wood.
Step 4
Follow the path round to the left and take the right-hand path, following the waymarkers.
Step 5
At the next set of waymarkers turn right and continue along Lime Walk, enjoying the views across the French meadow, following the course of the Clywedog River below you.
Step 6
At the end of Lime Walk go through the kissing gate onto the road. Take care when entering the road as there is a blind bend. Turn left and make your way down the steep road over the bridge and towards Sontley Road car park.
Step 7
At the car park, turn left and go through the kissing gate into the French meadow and continue straight across the fields, passing through a wooden farm gate half way along. In winter this route is quite wet, so an alternative is to walk through Coed-Y-Glyn Wood beyond the car park and follow the footpath to the left.
Step 8
Continue through the French meadow until reaching the stone footpath of Erddig Road, turning left over the stone bridge.
Step 9
Continue straight along the footpath, following the course of Black Brook and over a second stone bridge.
Step 10
A little further on, head over the wooden bridge on your right and towards the Cup and Saucer water feature.
Step 11
Staying on the left-hand side of the Cup and Saucer water feature, head through the wooden kissing gate, following the red waymarker sign. You'll follow the course of Black Brook through fields commonly used for grazing the trust's shire horses, particularly in the summer months.
Step 12
After going through the second kissing gate, go straight across the field, to an opening in the woodland through another kissing gate and up a gentle slope.
Step 13
Turn right and walk 100 metres along the main drive and then turn left, heading through a kissing gate onto Green Lane footpath.
Step 14
Continue along the footpath, bearing left as you go through a wooden gate. There are many wooden structures just off the footpaths in this area. They were used for the cross-country element of the annual Welsh National Horse Carriage Trials that used to take place on the estate.
Step 15
Passing Sontley Lodge Farm on the right, continue along the stoned drive and head through a kissing gate on your left into Forest Wood and head straight down the central track.
Step 16
Turn left when reaching Forest Drive and go over the cattle grid at the bottom.
Step 17
Turn right and follow the edge of Forest Wood back up to the dovecote.
End point
Erddig car park, grid ref: SJ326481
Trail map
More near here
Erddig Hall and Garden
Explore a much-loved home, garden and estate filled with the stories of a family and their servants
Erddig riverside walk
A circular waymarked walk around Erddig's estate, along the River Clywedog, past an 18th-century water feature, castle remains and historic defensive earthworks.
Erddig Big Wood trail
Explore a gentle stroll around the parkland at Erddig on this circular walk. Wander through woodland and discover the ancient remains of a Norman motte and bailey castle as you join the historic and mysterious Wat’s Dyke way.
Erddig Bryn-y-Cabanau and Lewis Wood walk
Enjoy the eastern reaches of Erddig's 1,200-acre estate in Wrexham on a waymarked trail through two woods.
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