The meadow at Usk Castle Chase has something special about it...
It's not just a special setting with scenic views of the beautiful Monmouthshire countryside, but it is itself an important and historic part of that landscape. You may also gather your family and friends together at Usk Castle for a cup of tea and cakes after a burial has taken place.
There is an oak shelter in the woods next to the meadow which you can use for gatherings before or after a funeral.
In the ceiling of the oak shelter are memorial boards with plaques bearing the names of those buried at Usk Castle Chase.
Set in 14 acres of open meadow in the heart of the Monmouthshire countryside, and surrounded on three sides by mature woodland, Usk Castle Chase is a peaceful and uplifting place for reflection and remembrance.
Click here to see an aerial photograph of the site using Google Maps UK.
The meadow has far reaching views to the south and south-west across the rolling, pastoral Monmouthshire countryside.
The ridge of mature trees along the eastern edge of the meadow is carpeted with bluebells in late spring.
The shallow valley running through the centre of the meadow (which will not be used for burials) will be left to promote tussocky rushes and other wetland plants, combined with the introduction of locally-native wildflowers.
When you purchase a plot at Usk Castle Chase, you buy a right of burial which lasts for 50 years. This makes it possible for you to reserve a space for the future, and, if you wish, link this to a funeral plan to cover the other funeral costs.
The long term objective is for the site to be self-sustaining, easily manageable and unchanged; the long-term management of the meadow will lead to substantial enhancement of the grassland which is one of the major ecological benefits of this natural burial scheme.
The land will be periodically grazed (as it always has been) to keep down the sward in the meadow and the undergrowth beneath mature woodland.
A larch woodland area alongside the edge of the meadow has been felled and will be replanted with deciduous broadleaf trees to blend with the existing woodland.
Future management is discussed with by Gwent Wildlife Trust to promote the spread of wildflowers through the meadow and preserve and enhance the wildlife habitats.
Usk Castle Chase is part of the estate belonging to the Humphreys family of Usk Castle. We have worked in partnership with Rosie Humphreys and Gwent Wildlife Trust to plan the scheme.
GWT assessed the ecology of the site and advised us on how best to minimise the impact of the proposed work. They also provided guidance on how to tailor the future management and maintenance of the site to achieve wildlife conservation objectives. The main objective behind the plan for the site is for the use to be wholly sustainable and to have as little impact on the landscape as is practically possible. Ideally, the changes will be imperceptible.
Directions
Click here for a local map with directions. To locate the meadow (to the east of Park Wood) on an OS map please click on this link to GoogleMaps or to plan the route from where you are, enter your home postcode and the following postcode NP15 1QX into The AA's planner.
Click on the plan for a larger version of the site plan
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