The reserve was established in 2000 to mitigate losses of wildlife habitat when the Cardiff Bay Barrage scheme was undertaken.

[1] The reserve covers 437 hectares (1,080 acres) of the Caldicot Level, a low-lying area of land bordering the northern shore of the Severn Estuary.

Dogs and cyclists are permitted outside the visitor centre and along a specially marked six-kilometre (3.7 mi) circular route around the reserve's perimeter which is accessed via a path next to the car park exit.

A longer pedestrian and cycling route continues forwards towards Goldcliff village and the local road network.

The far end of the main trail faces south towards the Severn Estuary, along which the East Usk Lighthouse and a bird hide overlooking lagoon R9 are situated.

[5] The Goldcliff Lagoons, which form the eastern end of the reserve, is the only site in south Wales where avocet breed.