Goldcliff Lagoons in Newport?

PeeJay · #1 (**permalink**) 15-11-2010, 07:36 PM

Does anyone know the Goldcliff Lagoons in Newport? I know the Wetlands Reserve and Sea Wall area that meet the estuary, but I think there are 3 lagoons that are slightly inland. Trouble is I don't know the best way of getting to them. Yesterday my wife and I parked at the end of Saltmarsh lane and walked until we met the estuary, but no sign. I think we needed to be further along than we were.

We've also tried to park at the Sea Wall and walk towards the RSPB Wetlands Reserve but we seemed to be heading into peoples farms - is it actualy a public right of way?

Thanks

Dae · #2 (**permalink**) 15-11-2010, 08:14 PM

Yes, saltmarsh lane is well before Goldcliff. If you go to google maps and type in Goldcliff, Newport for the location, it'll show you the town you need to pass through before you get there. If you put the map in 'satellite mode' at the top-right of the map, you can actually see the lagoons on the map just below the town of Goldcliff. You can either drive down the lane itself and park before the gates, or you can park on the verge opposite the lane.

I'm sorry, I'm not explaining myself well. Ask if I've made anything too unclear.

PeeJay · #3 (**permalink**) 19-11-2010, 09:19 AM

Cheers Dae.

Do you happen to know the name of the lane to drive down and park on? I've looked at Google Maps now and can see the lagoons. The closest "main" lane seems to be the one I've driven down and parked on quite a few times now, the big long straight one that leads right the the Sea Wall. That's the way that I've tried walking towards the lagoons before but came up against entrances to farms and backed out not knowing if it's private land or if there's a public right of way.

Looking at the map it look slike it might be possible to park halfway along that long straight lane and walk down a track branching off westwards?

Cheers

Dae · #4 (**permalink**) 19-11-2010, 11:53 AM

Yeah the lane you're talking about is Saltmarsh Lane, which is west of the town of Goldcliff. This will not take you to the lagoons. If you're coming to Goldcliff town from the west, you need to drive east through the town, and on your right outside of town you'll see a short dirt lane that does cross a small stone bridge and end at a gate. You'll need to either park there, or across from the lane on the verge. The lane, as far as google is concerned, has no name. If you look carefully at the satellite image, the lane you're looking for goes south on the east side of the lagoons.

I wish I could just show you the google image and draw on it lol I can throw together a map and email it to you if you prefer.

PeeJay · #5 (**permalink**) 19-11-2010, 12:05 PM

Think I might have you now Dae. On the Google images can you see 3 cars parken in the on the verge you're talking about - red, blue and silver it looks like?

Dae · #6 (**permalink**) 19-11-2010, 12:11 PM

Sounds like you're in the right area now. That's where you can park if you drive down the lane off the main Goldcliff Road, those cars are parked just before the gate that you can walk through and will take you to the lagoons. My husband and I tend to park on the verge of goldcliff road, simply because that lane can get quite muddy.

PeeJay · #7 (**permalink**) 19-11-2010, 12:23 PM

Thanks very much Jen. That's my Sunday morning sorted I think!

Very much appreciated.

Gatekeeper · #8 (**permalink**) 19-11-2010, 01:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PeeJay

Think I might have you now Dae. On the Google images can you see 3 cars parken in the on the verge you're talking about - red, blue and silver it looks like?

Hello Peejay,

Unfortunately, from your description you are still in the wrong area

. The 3 cars that you can see on Google Earth are parked at the end of Farmfield Lane in the village of Nash. This is further away from Goldcliff!

I'll give you directions from Saltmarsh Lane. So, from the entrance of the lane travel east towards Newport on Goldcliff Road until you come to the Farmer's Arms pub in Goldcliff. From there continue on over a little bridge, passing a farm on your right. After a few hundred yards there is a house on your right, and just after this, an open area with a small gravel track that loops behind the house and over a small bridge; then it's about 20 yards to the lagoons carpark. There is a sign in the carpark, with a reserve map. Go through the marked gates for 3 viewing platforms and the seawall.

Here is a link to a Streetmap for the carpark location:

Streetmap.co.uk- search results for 336943,182868

Good luck,

Dae · #9 (**permalink**) 19-11-2010, 02:26 PM

lol looks like the same location to me, I know I wasn't pointing him to Nash anyway. I do see the 3 cars in location that I pointed out anyway just next to the lagoons. But I think he's got the right spot between the two of us.

PeeJay, you're very welcome. I hope you enjoy it, I love going to Goldcliff when I get the chance. Not too far away and always a variety of birdlife.

Gatekeeper · #10 (**permalink**) 19-11-2010, 03:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dae

lol looks like the same location to me, I know I wasn't pointing him to Nash anyway. I do see the 3 cars in location that I pointed out anyway just next to the lagoons. But I think he's got the right spot between the two of us.

PeeJay, you're very welcome. I hope you enjoy it, I love going to Goldcliff when I get the chance. Not too far away and always a variety of birdlife.

Haha, there's cars of the same colour at the 2 locations.

The map should help anyway.

Yes, Goldcliff's a great place, and more enjoyable than Uskmouth, which the RSPB have sadly ruined.