Taken from Lynne’s weekly column ‘Green Scene’ for the Western Mail
8th April 2023
(Egg) Shell Grotto
After the wettest March for 40 years, we are now at the top of the month renowned for it’s sharp and persistent showers – but thankfully the forecast for Easter weekend is actually quite good, making it an ideal time to get out and about and enjoy the fresh air and local landmarks.
On my list to visit is the lesser-known Shell Grotto and Folly Tower at Pontypool Park. I love finds like this – especially when they’re on our doorstep.
Pontypool Park itself is 150 acres of mostly grassland and mixed woodland with many old and dear sweet chestnuts. One of the 400 year-old hallowed and hollow beauties was even voted Welsh Tree of the Year in 2019.
There are also landscaped areas to enjoy, such as the Italian Gardens and the Nant-y-Gollen Ponds. Three main avenues divide the park and all merge at the leisure centre near the park’s centre, making it ideal ‘gentle or buggy walking’.
The former stables now house the Torfaen Museum and the grounds contain a number of structures including a double icehouse, the Folly Tower and the Shell Grotto. The park is entered through the Pontymoile Gates near New Inn and has ample car parking.
My visit will be specifically to admire the Folly Tower and the Shell Grotto. The three storey Tower apparently has ‘no practical purpose’ but it is probably Pontypool’s most recognised landmark and the views from the ridge are simply stunning.
Just a ‘shell’s throw’ from the Tower is the Shell Grotto. This structure was built in the 1830s – probably as a summer house. The interior of the Grade II* listed, stone built, cylindrical, slate roofed shell grotto is, as the name suggests, decorated with thousands and thousands of shells, embedded calcite crystals with animal bones and teeth forming intricate patterns on the floor. Both remaining windows contain coloured glass. I absolutely love this sort of building and dream about constructing something similar whilst also hugely respecting the sheer amount of work involved in both construction and decoration.
My fascination and passion for grottoes means that another of my favourite gardens in the area is Dewstow Grottoes and Gardens in Caldicot. It’s incredible ‘fantasy-esque landscaping’ also made it an ideal site for the filming of His Dark Materials. Dewstow is closed until 29th April 2023 but it’s definitely worth putting a date after that in your diary.
Back to Pontypool and the walk to the Folly Tower and Shell Grotto is ‘a bit steep but short’, so if you still have some energy left, it is definitely worth going on up to the common at Garn Wen and continuing the climb to the trig point for breath taking views and a good spot for a picnic.
Both sites are open to the public on Easter Monday from 11.00 – 3.00 pm and, whilst there is no entry fee, any donations will be gratefully received to assist maintenance and upkeep. Dogs are welcome in Pontypool Park and at both sites, although they would have to wait outside each ‘building’ due to the confined space inside. Please wear appropriate footwear for the short but steep approach and be mindful that there are no toilet facilities at either site.
If you can’t make it on Easter Monday, there are plans to open the Folly Tower on May 8th to mark the coronation.
Cosmic Cosmos
It wouldn’t be Easter without me recommending gifting plants and seeds – especially Chocolate Cosmos – instead of the traditional chocolate Easter egg fest. I’m not against chocolate, but obviously plants and seeds last longer and are just better for you.
I am a huge fan of all varieties of Cosmos, as they are just so easy to grow and are beautiful in beds and borders, containers and as cut flowers. The variety Cosmos atrosanguineus ‘Chocolate’ obviously has a novelty factor, which I never tire of exploiting at this time of year but it is also a great hard working plant. The lovely deep crimson, velvety flowers are stunning but they actually do smell strongly of chocolate too – strongly enough to make first time ‘sniffers’ go ‘Wow – chocolate.’ I never tire of that reaction either.
It is easy to raise from seed and will be available in most garden centres as a mature plant – www.sarahraven.com currently offers ‘young plants’ too. Preferably plant somewhere where you can enjoy the scent and deadhead regularly to encourage continuous blooming through the summer.
Chocs Away
Please remember that chocolate is not good for dogs. It contains an ingredient called theobromine which is toxic to dogs as they aren’t able to metabolise it like humans can.
Vets warn that a ‘good quality’ 500g bar of dark chocolate can contain as much as 4000 mg of theobromine which is more than enough to kill a 30kg dog, such as a Labrador. But even lower quality grades of dark chocolate are dangerous to dogs and it is best not to share any of your chocolate treats with them – or hot cross buns, which contain raisins and are also poisonous for dogs.
Vets report being inundated with cases of dogs having eaten chocolate around Easter (and Christmas) – usually as an accident – and it is imperative that if you suspect your dog may have snaffled your sweet treats, that you get them to the vet as soon as possible. Also try to take any information about the type of chocolate and amount if you can.
Prevention is obviously better than cure, so please keep your chocs out of reach of your dogs and that includes being really careful if you have an Easter egg hunt in the garden. Make sure all the hidden eggs have been accounted for so your dog doesn’t find any ‘left-overs’. To be on the safe side, a friends always ‘hides’ little painted stones for her children to find which they can ‘trade’ in for chocolate treats. Smart and safe.
Happy Easter Lynne!