Stone Age stags, rowdy Romans and moody monks –Unlocking the History and Archaeology of the Gwent Levels

September 29 2018 
Travel through time and discover the fascinating history and archaeology of the Gwent Levels at our amazing family event this September 29 from 10am- 4pm at Newport Wetlands.

Part of the Living Levels events series and Cadw’s open doors month, this new event invites visitors to the centre to step back in time and view the amazing Gwent Levels landscape as it would have been at different historical periods.

Discover how the Gwent Levels were created, meet the people who helped shape this unique landscape, learn some “Levels Lingo” and explore some of the amazing artefacts pulled from the Severn Estuary mud. There will be activities for all the family plus demonstrations, displays, guided walks, talks and you can find out how to get involved with many of the projects being delivered by the Living Levels programme.

There will also be an opportunity to meet many of the different history and heritage groups from across the Gwent Levels and discover the valuable work and research they do, which continues to keep local history alive.

The “Time Travel Trail” will start in the stone age with an array of fun family activities. It will then take visitors through Roman times and on to the medieval period including the discovery of Newport Ship and the Great Flood, and will go right through to the influence of the Tredegar estate and the rise of industry.

With displays and demonstrations from a variety of local heritage and archaeology groups including historic Black Rock Lave Net fishermen and the traditional craftsmen of the Coracle Society – the day promises to deliver a fascinating journey of discovery!

We are also encouraging people to bring along their very own Levels “treasure” including items pulled from the mud, old photographs or maps of the Gwent Levels and to tell their own fascinating stories. Experts will also be on hand to try and explain the origins of visitors’ finds and maybe cast new light on them in a style loosely akin to Antiques Roadshow!

As well as activities for all ages in the Newport Wetlands Education and Environment Centre, there will be the opportunity to view the Gwent Levels from one of its few high points – the Church Tower and spire of StMary’s in Nash, once described as the “cathedral of the moors”.

Following a short-guided walk, the many steps ascending the medieval tower will reward our intrepid climbers with stunning views of the surrounding fields and their historic drainage features, the wetlands reserve with its abundant birdlife and the stunning Severn Estuary.

There will also be guided walks throughout the day to discover the unique landscape features of the Gwent Levels and the history of East Usk Lighthouse, as well as a chance to find out about how to get involved in the Living Levels programme.

Key details:
Unlocking the History and Archaeology of the
Gwent Levels Saturday, September 10am-4pm


Meeting point: Newport Wetlands,West Nash
Road, Nash, Newport NP18 2BZ

Cost: FREE – Please note there are parking
charges at this venue