249: Fedw Wood, the Cot, Devauden and Chepstow Park Wood (Wye Valley 2024)

WYE VALLEY WALK FEATURING FEDW WOOD, THE COT, DEVAUDEN AND CHEPSTOW PARK WOOD
"Fedw Wood, the Cot, Devauden and Chepstow Park Wood”
Filmed 2nd September 2024
Post-production completed 20th September 2024
In the fourth of my seven Wye Valley films shot during August and September 2024, I return to Fedw Wood seen 30 years earlier in my second film “The Lost Villages”.
Unfortunately for me, the route I had plotted to walk and film proved difficult at times due to rights of way being either obstructed or just not visible at all, despite clearly showing up on the OS maps. However, I turned an initially frustrating experience into a great day as I split my planned walk into two shorter routes, with the second route around Chepstow Park Wood probably turning out to be a better one than had I managed to follow the original walk I had plotted.
Filmed in the Wye Valley in the county of Monmouthshire. Locations include Fedw Wood, Fairoak Pond, the Cot, Ravensnest Wood, Little Wenallt Wood, Lower Fedw, Devauden and Chepstow Park Wood.
Written, presented, researched, directed, camera and sound, edited and music by Patrick Leach.
Special thanks to Visit Monmouthshire and Visit Dean Wye for their information used in my research for this film.
Click here for maps showing the routes of each walk:
• Fedw Wood and the Cot: explore.osmaps...
• Devauden and Chepstow Park Wood: explore.osmaps...
Click here for the locations on Google Maps where I parked for each walk
• Fedw Wood: maps.app.goo.g...
• Devauden: maps.app.goo.g...
"The Solitary Rambler" is my series of amateur films of my journeys in the countryside accompanied by my own musical scores, which I compose and perform on my Yamaha keyboard.
Please note that, as with all the films I make, this is not actually intended to be an extensive guide to the area. This is a mini-movie of my personal journey along the walk, in which I often share some of my own personal stories.
If you are new to my channel, I strongly recommend reading the description under the “about” tab, which will provide a clearer understanding of what to expect in my films: / solitaryrambler
There is also a short “Introduction to the Solitary Rambler” video, which briefly explains what my films are all about: / solitaryrambler
DISCLAIMER: Although I work hard to ensure all information is correct to the best of my knowledge, I am only featuring information I have found online and/or in books during my research when putting this film together, so I cannot guarantee that there are no mistakes or errors.
Many thanks and I hope you enjoy watching!
IF YOU ENJOY MY CHANNEL THEN PERHAPS YOU WOULD LIKE TO SUPPORT ME:
For a small fee you can download any of my musical soundtracks I have composed for my films: patrickleach.b...
Or if you would like to make a small donation with no obligations then you can do so through Buy Me a Coffee: ko-fi.com/soli...

[@pete7179]

Lovely. I immediately recognised one area and remembered a scene there from an early hour long story with Michael,what a fine actor he was. I was looking forward to this on the previous night,Thursday,I love getting up on a Friday morning with a cuppa and watching the latest one,please don't stop. With your next short film I will be in the 250 club having watched every minute of every one,I wonder how many more of us there are,a fair few I reckon. I haven't commented for a while but I continue to thoroughly enjoy and give a like to every one. Thankyou for the good old fashioned lovely films you continue to share with us.

[@solitaryrambler]

Thanks Pete. Great that you remembered this area when I was there with Michael so many years earlier. Yes I'm amazed myself the next film will be 250! I'm delighted you are still enjoying my content, and I hope there are a fair few others too. No worries about not commenting, I often don't know what to say if I watch videos on KZbin. Thanks again Pete, all the best 👍

[@luker2981]

Another lovely walk Patrick. The scenery is absolutely stunning.

[@solitaryrambler]

Glad you enjoyed it Luke, thanks for watching 👍

[@williamlong7188]

Patrick your videos on KZbin are a breath of fresh air. I forget all my worries and we watch your videos always on a late Sunday evening just before bed and it’s gives us a good sleep. Thank you so much for and sending you best wishes from Scotland.

[@solitaryrambler]

That's great to know, glad you've been enjoying them. Many thanks for your lovely comments and for watching. All the best 👍

[@claireEt9055]

Some lovely woods you’re walking through there Patrick. And I agree that offering a friendly greeting as you pass by another walker is so easy to do and costs nothing to be nice. Thanks for sharing your adventures 👍🏻

[@solitaryrambler]

Thanks Claire, the woods around this area sure are lovely, nice to be back there ater so long. Yes it was nice too to have a friendly chat with the man and his dog 😀 Thanks for watching 👍

[@lesleyborthwick3698]

Another wonderful walk, beautiful views & music. The cows all gathering to see you, very lovely. Thanks as always Patrick for sharing & all your hard work that goes into filming.

[@solitaryrambler]

Thank you so much Lesley, nice of you to say so. Glad you enjoyed the walk and music. All the best and have a great week 👍😀

[@richardchan9595]

The greenery is so vast and lush. Thank you, Patrick! ❤

[@solitaryrambler]

You are so welcome Richard, thanks for watching 👍

[@kellyshaw7271]

With the non existent pathways, it seemed to be quite a long walk. What a lovely wooded area. It looks a great place for a ramble around. That small house was definitely small. Talking about you cutting through the woods to go to your friend's on your bike. Made me think of how much freedom we had back then. I would be given money for sweets and go on my own to a corner shop nearby. I was probably eight. You wouldn't see that kind of thing now nor how far from home we really roamed with friends. We were fine, as long as we were home for dinner. I can tell by how you speak about your grandfather that you were found him and enjoyed your rides out together. So glad you spent more days in September there. I'm so looking forward to them. Cheers Patrick 😊

[@solitaryrambler]

The walk in the end, once split into two, was probably about the same amount of miles, but I explored more of Chepstow Park Wood in the second walk due to not walking the route from the farm to Devauden, so that cut the miles down a bit when I returned to Fedw Wood. Yes I can remember those days too when we had more freedon as long as we got back home for dinner. I spent many years riding in my Grandad's car when he went places, got to the the local area well because of all that. As always Kelly, thanks for all your great comments and for watching. All the best 👍

[@freestyletowers2617]

Such a beautiful woodland walk Patrick, seeing you in your shirt only it must of been such great conditions 📷🥾

[@solitaryrambler]

Thanks for watching John. Yeah it was still quite warm back in September when I filmed this 👍😀

[@sylviarowley6668]

Beautiful video, loving the lush greenery! Shame about the OS paths having vanished., seems to be a thing these days that landowners block rights of way., so sad that we are doomed to lose so much of our natural history. 😢 thank you for sharing. ❤️xx

[@solitaryrambler]

Morning Sylvia, glad you enjoyed it. Yeah finding a couple of those paths were frustrating, but I found a different way round and I reckon I had a better walk in the end. Thanks as always for watching, all the best 👍😀

[@Ea-Nasir_Copper_Co]

Glad to see you enjoyed two friendly encounters with the locals: the man with the dog, and the lovely ladies at 10:24. Gorgeous greenery this week, very therapeutic this time of year!

[@solitaryrambler]

Yes pleasant encounters indeed especially with those ladies! 😂 Glad you enjoyed it, thanks for watching 👍

[@atrampinthehills.841]

Always nice to visit places we walked years ago...always nice when memories come back.

[@solitaryrambler]

Yeah it brought back a lot of good memories, thanks Steve 👍

[@stephmcghie8732]

Thankyou for your lovely walk Patrick, really enjoy the scenery and perfect music to go along 😊 have a good weekend.

[@solitaryrambler]

Pleased you enjoyed this walk Steph, thanks for all your lovely comments and for watching. Have a good weekend too 👍

[@peterh8970]

I do look forward to watching your walks every week Patrick. And it's so nice to see such lush green colours when everything is so brown and dull outside at the moment! Thanks as always and all the best.

[@solitaryrambler]

That's great to know Peter, glad you're still enjoying the walks. Yes with the current weather, it's nice to see sunnier walks! 😀 Thanks for watching, all the best 👍

[@johnwright8748]

Very scenic indeed, Patrick, despite the lost footpaths! And as a musician myself, I much appreciate the sound track...great stuff!

[@solitaryrambler]

Many thanks John, glad you enjoyed my musical score too! 😀 All the best 👍

[@markf.8144]

Great views! Enjoyed the forest vibe. Thanks Patrick!

[@solitaryrambler]

Glad you enjoyed it, many thanks for watching! 👍

[@hughsleggs2632]

Complements on another engaging vlog and indeed, the accompanying music.. I'll take myself up there for a look next sunny day.

[@solitaryrambler]

Many thanks Hugh, glad you enjoyed the film and the musical score. Hope you do visit the area soon 👍

[@nuinmarnuinmar5321]

What a lovely walk (and a melody!) Thanks Mr P.

[@solitaryrambler]

Glad you enjoyed the walk and music, many thanks! 👍

[@shanedallastaylor570]

well thanks Patrick for another delightful walk.even though it was in two stages,it was delightful.and some lovely views.the woods looked so peaceful.and yet again the music was so lovely..well cannot wait for another fantastic video.take care.👍👍❤️❤️

[@solitaryrambler]

It worked out a better walk(s) in the end I reckon. Glad you enjoyed it Shane, thanks as always for your great comments and for watching 👍

[@shaunmckenna1923]

Hello Patrick , nice one you made us laugh on this walk , thanks Patrick great video as always .

[@solitaryrambler]

Glad you enjoyed it Shaun, pleased it entertained you too 😁 Thanks for watching, all the best 👍

[@guaporeturns9472]

I couldn’t agree more.. It’s so easy to be nice and it makes the world such a better place.. even if it’s just a friendly chat with a passing stranger.

[@solitaryrambler]

Can't beat a bit of friendliness 👍😀

[@kathrynbrock1558]

Another lovely gentle walk with excellent comments and memories. I have had similar experiience wth footpaths. I reported it to the local council and it has been sorted. They like to be told so they can sort it. Thank you for sharing it.

[@solitaryrambler]

Thanks Kathryn, glad you enjoyed it. I did report these paths to Monmouthshire County Council, but I don't know if they would have sorted them 👍

[@Greatoutdoorswalks2061]

2 beautiful woods walks part of the fun trying to find your way around nice Walk Patrick Cheers

[@solitaryrambler]

They are lovely woods aren't they. Glad you enjoyed it, thanks for watching 👍

[@pancrazioaquilina7029]

Greetings from malta ❤thanks Patrick for such a relaxing walk

[@solitaryrambler]

Greetings to you 😀 Thank you for watching 👍

[@ffrancrogowski6263]

Some lovely woodland walks on this film, Patrick. The lovely Fedw Wood and then the Fedw Pool. That's interesting, concening John Wesley, his statue and his travels into Wales. Devauden appears to be a lovely quiet village. The Chepstow Park Wood looks a good walk, too. I can understand where you can come unstuck with the mapping of public footpaths. I used to purchase the old OS Pathfinder series of maps if I was going to a particular area, and sometimes found that the footpaths had either grown over or been re-routed - what a pain! Anyhow, Patrick, another enjoyable walk, and thank you. Take care.

[@solitaryrambler]

These are lovely woods indeed Ffranc. Despite the frustration of not finding the correct routes in a couple of places, the day turned out better as I reduced the mileage for the first part of the walk, and was able to explore more of Chepstow Park Wood in the second part. I have those OS Pathfinder books, many of the walks I have filmed before now have come from those books. Thanks as always for watching and commenting, all the best 👍

[@andrewmatley7688]

Cheers Patrick another good walk .

[@solitaryrambler]

Thanks Andrew 👍

[@AliWade1971]

Those woods look lovely. Devauden was one of the first villages we looked at when we started looking for our next home. Haven’t found the right property yet, but still looking

[@solitaryrambler]

It's a lovely area I remember from childhood, a great place to live if you move there 👍

[@peacefulcompassion]

Thank You 🌳

[@solitaryrambler]

You are so welcome 👍

[@alisonmoxon7519]

Lovely walk Patrick . Never been that area so tnx x

[@solitaryrambler]

Thanks for watching Ali, glad you enjoyed it 👍😀

[@Jez-explores-outdoors]

Cheers Patrick I didn’t realise there was a ruin of a house or a pond in Chepstow park woods I will have to take a look great video as per usual.

[@solitaryrambler]

Thanks for watching Jez. Yeah that ruin was well hidden and easy to miss, but it was marked on the OS map so I managed to find it. All the best 👍

[@Somersetmanwalking]

Lovely Woodland walks there Patrick. i was just about to comment that at least the rain had stopped for you and then you said it had started again!😅anyway most enjoyable watch. Best wishes Darren👍👍👍

[@solitaryrambler]

Thanks Darren 😀 Yeah it was a good weather day for the most part from what I remember, just the odd shower here and there. Thanks for watching, all the best 👍

[@WyeExplorer]

Hey, making it up as you go along there Patrick. I can understand the frustration at not marrying the OS with the ground. But hey you found your way. I was stoked to see the Angiddy. I was straight on the map to see from what angle you came. Maan, there's some woodland around there. I'm encouraged to walk it now, thanks. Lovely to chat with people - the only chap you saw all day I reckon. Well, super area and a great walk. All the best as always. Mark

[@solitaryrambler]

Hey Mark, this was quite an adventure, you'd have loved it. Despite the frustration, the walk (or two shorter walks) turned out better in the end I reckon. Glad you were pleased to see the Angidy, there's more of it to be seen in a couple of weeks time. It sure is gorgeous woodland, just a little bit away from the Wye itself, but still worth exploring. Yeah that man and his dog were the only folk I encountered all day, nice little chat we had from what I recall. Well glad you enjoyed Mark, thanks as always for watching. All the best down there 👍

[@WyeExplorer]

@@solitaryrambler Great to hear of the adventure Patrick. I could feel the energy of it in the video. I look forward to more of the Angiddy - as I said I'm motivated to explore more myself now. Ah, sweet - only one person. Good when we do cross paths. A pleasure.

[@CountrysideWalking]

We know the feeling of missing tracks Patrick. We've often found tracks vanish over the years or routes changed by vegetation growth.. Could tell it was getting more frustrating but handled well and often turns out better. What wet weather for you. Really liked the piano solo intro to your Fedw Wood walk, beautiful melody Patrick.

[@solitaryrambler]

I came across quite a few paths in Monmouthshire last year which were either obstructed or just completely hidden, but yes with this walk it turned out better in the end as I reduced the mileage for the first part of the walk, which meant I was able to explore more of Chepstow Park Wood in the second part. I can't remember much about the weather on this day, but I don't think it was too bad for the most part. Thank you for your lovely comments on my music again Shanita, glad you liked it. Again, it's more variations on themes I created years before. All the best 👍

[@weissichnichtbre]

The music is giving me Twinpeaks vibes 🌲🌲

[@solitaryrambler]

👍😀

[@weissichnichtbre]

@@solitaryrambler 🏝Sending good wishes from Australia

[@DarthRobertus33]

Video 249 Patrick! Can't believe the next one will be 250. Love the misty views.

[@solitaryrambler]

Me neither! 😀 Thanks for watching 👍

[@russ3994]

Have you updated your os map app lately Patrick !! 🤣😜 Had a bit of a adventure there Patrick ! Thanks for the tour anyway !😁

[@solitaryrambler]

It sure was an adventure Russ! 😂 Thankfully it turned out to be a better walk in the end! 😁 Thanks for watching 👍

[@steveball1959]

We do like a good woodland walk and you had a good couple there, but Patrick you're having a nightmare with phantom footpaths, I do believe it's down to the landowners.

[@solitaryrambler]

These are lovely woods Steve, but the routefinding last year in several places in Monmouthshire has not been great. Probably is the landowners, but with this walk it turned out a better day in the end I reckon 👍

[@peacefulcompassion]

Everyone I'm sure it would help our host if everyone would Like and Subscribe. TY

[@solitaryrambler]

That's a lovely thing to say, thank you 👍😀

[@michaeldenham9681]

Finding rights of way in farmland can be a real bugbear.

[@solitaryrambler]

It is indeed a bugbear, but thankfully there's usually another way, which I managed to find for this walk. Thanks Michael 👍

[@keeptrekking4685]

Nice couple of walks there m8, dunt yer just hate it when you cant find yer pland rout, weired how i said on my last video about people stopping and having a chat n then you said same on yours, Makes yer day dunt it 👍

[@solitaryrambler]

Cheers Jay, yeah it's annoying when your planned route doesn't work out, but I reckon I had a better day in the end. Certainly is nice having a good chat with other walkers when you're out and about eh. Thanks Jay, all the best 👍

[@foresterjikes9054]

Patrick , i'm sure you would love this as you are into the piano , not sure if you know Yann Tiersen kzbin.info/www/bejne/sJ_Jiqp3d8qGkJI

[@solitaryrambler]

Thanks! 👍