Distance: 11 km | Time: 3.5 hours | Moderate Walk
This walk links three medieval churches on the Caldicot Levels, St Thomas’ at Redwick, St Mary’s at Goldcliff and St Mary’s at Nash.
OS Map: Explorer 152 - BUY
Please note: This is a linear walk, which can be done in stages. If you intend to do the whole walk in one go, please allow extra time for the return journey. Alternatively, if you are walking with a group, arrange to park a vehicle at the end of the walk for the return journey to the start.
Details
Route Description
Start at the St Thomas' Church, Redwick.
- Start at gates of St Thomas’ Church, Redwick, and follow path to the left of the church, through the churchyard to a small paddock at rear of church and on to a roadside stile. Turn left onto a road and after short distance look for a finger post on your right.
- Follow footpath through field gate and continue along field path towards the sea wall, crossing Windmill Reen.
- Walk up onto the sea wall, turn right and follow the Wales Coast Path (WCP) west towards Goldcliff.
- At Goldcliff, head north along Goldcliff Rd for about 200m. After crossing a reen, turn left at a finger post, through a kissing gate, and follow the WCP waymarking towards Goldcliff Lagoons.
- At Goldcliff Lagoons, part of Newport Wetlands National Nature Reserve, follow WCP waymarking over Monks’ Ditch reen to Goldcliff Rd. Turn left towards the village of Goldcliff along the road.
- Follow the road into the village and at the Farmers Arms pub head to the left of the building and the entrance to St Mary’s Church.
- Cross the footbridge at the rear of the church and follow the waymarks across a series of footbridges towards Henton Farm.
- Cross stile onto lane and head left following a rutted track that will take you past Henton farm, towards Cross Farm, and the main Goldcliff Road.
- Turn right along the Goldcliff Road for a short distance before rejoining the footpath at a finger post and bridge on your left.
- Follow waymark arrows over several footbridges to Farmfield Lane. Cross the lane and follow the footpath to Nash and St Mary’s Church, known locally as ‘The Cathedral of the Moors’.
Retrace your steps back to Redwick.
Walk Highlights
St Thomas the Apostle, Redwick
Over its long history, the parish church of Redwick has been dedicated to several different saints; before 1875 it was St. Mary the Virgin and before that St. Michael the Archangel.
The building dates from the 13th and 15th centuries, although it may have 12th century origins. It was restored in 1875 when the architect John Norton rebuilt the west wall and inserted a large window.
As you enter the church, look for the mass dials inscribed into the buttress of the porch. Mass dials, also called scratch or tide dials, are simple sundials and are usually found on the south side of churches. There are also two flood markers, indicating the height reached by the Great Flood of 1606/07.
Inside the church, look out for the 13th century font, the carving of a green man, and the remains of a medieval rood screen (an ornate wooden screen separating the altar from the nave) and rood loft (a balcony above the screen used for displaying a crucifix and the statues of saints).
There is also a full-immersion baptistery. As the church is built close to sea level, the baptistery naturally fills with water after heavy rain.
There are six bells in the tower, including two that date from about 1350. All were removed for retuning in 1987 and rehung in a new steel frame in 1991.
St Thomas’ was one of only a few churches in Wales to suffer bomb damage during the Second Word War, when the roof was damaged and windows blown out.
St Mary Magdalene, Goldcliff
The tiny parish church of St Mary Magdalene dates from the early 15th century.
The church consists of an undivided nave and chancel, a castellated tower to the west and a south porch. Drainage ditches enclose the roughly square churchyard and there is the stump of what is thought to be a medieval cross on a small mound. The entrance porch is approached along an avenue of pollarded lime trees.
Although the church dates from the 15th century, parts of the building appear to be older (the nave has been dated to the 12th century). It has been suggested that an existing building, possibly a barn, may have been converted to serve as parish church after the original church at Goldcliff Priory was badly damaged by a storm in 1424. It is possible that some of the stone used came from the ruined priory, as there are some odd pieces of decorative stonework above the windows on the south side of the building.
The plain, squat tower, which contains one bell, is probably an 18th or 19th century addition.
The interior of the church is very simple. There is a medieval font with an 18th century cover. On the north wall of the nave is a brass plaque commemorating the Great Flood of 1606/07.
St Mary the Virgin, Nash
The history of St Mary’s church, Nash, known locally as “the Cathedral of the Moors”, is closely linked to the nearby medieval Benedictine Priory at Goldcliff.
The foundation charter for the priory refers to a church at Goldcliff and a chapel at Nash. The present church dates from this time, although it was extensively rebuilt in the 16th century and little now remains of the original Norman building. The church was once much larger, but the north aisle to the nave was demolished in 1792; the old roofline is still visible on the tower.
The church tower, with its tall octagonal spire, dates from the 1500s and contains 6 bells. It is a landmark for many miles around and was once the tallest structure on the Levels. Although still prominent, it is now dwarfed by giant wind turbines and the imposing bulk of Uskmouth Power Station. Beside a small door at the base of the tower is a plaque marking the height reached by the Great Flood.
Inside, the church has a complete set of 18th century furnishings, with box pews, a three-tiered pulpit and a western gallery. Look out for a ‘squint’, or peep hole, between the room at the base of the tower and the chancel, which allowed an attendant to view the service and communicate with the bell ringers.
Parking
There is limited parking at St Thomas' Church, Redwick.
Dog policy
Dogs are allowed but must be kept under control at all times.
Facilities
The Farmers Arms, Goldcliff (Website)
The Rose Inn, Redwick (Website)
The Waterloo Inn, Nash (Website)
Accessibility
Several stiles and narrow footbridges to cross.
Fields can be very muddy throughout winter.
Downloads
▶ Download walking route leaflet. (PDF 7.4MB)
Always follow the Countryside Code.
- Consider the local community and other people enjoying the outdoors
- Park carefully so gateways and driveways are clear
- Leave gates and property as you find them
- Follow paths but give way to others where it’s narrow
- Leave no trace of your visit, take all your litter home
- Don’t have BBQs or fires
- Keep your dog under effective control and pick up after your pet – dog mess can harm livestock
- Plan ahead, check what facilities are open, be prepared
- Follow advice and local signs
