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Walks Around Ty Mawr Country Park and the Pontcysyllte Aqueduct

Walks Around Ty Mawr Country Park and the Pontcysyllte Aqueduct

Country Park Walks Leaflet Parks, Countryside and Rights of Way Service

Walks Around Tˆy Country Park and the Pontcysyllte The walks all begin at Tˆy Mawr Country Park Introduction (grid reference 283413) Tıy Mawr is a 35 acre Country Park. It is also a working farm and home to The park is situated in Mawr five miles south of Wrexham off the B5605. a variety of animals. The park lies between the Cefn and the Pontcycyllte Aqueduct which is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Follow the brown and white Country Park signs off the A483 These two are historic engineering structures at the / exit. and form a dramatic backdrop to the park.

Buses between Wrexham and Llangollen, and stop The walks in this leaflet are of varied lengths to suit different interests and near Tıy Mawr. The park is signposted from the 2 nearby bus stops. abilities. You can take a short stroll around the farm animals, or a riverside ramble to the aqueduct and back. The longer circular walk along the is 3 miles from the park with the above Union , crossing the aqueduct and returning along buses from outside the station. the River Dee is the longest walk. These walks combine stunning views Tˆy Mawr Country Park of the Vale of Llangollen, the fun of the farm, fascinating heritage and the beauty and diversity of the natural surroundings. Cae Gwilym Lane, Cefn Mawr Wrexham LL14 3PT Whether you are interested in nature, history, farming, or fresh air Telephone: 01978 822780 and exercise, there is a walk to suit you at Tıy Mawr.

The park is open daily Admission Visitor Centre open 10.30am ¤ 4.30pm Admission to Ty Mawr is free but donations are always welcome Summer Season and used towards the upkeep of the park. Winter Season

This leaflet has been produced by the Parks, Countryside and Public Dogs Rights of Way Service. Whilst every effort has been made to ensure Dogs are welcome on these walks but please your dogs under accuracy, Wrexham Council Borough Council cannot accept responsibility control. Poop scoop bags are available from the Visitor Centre. for the consequences of any errors in this publication.

Designed by Bread and Butter Design 01978 844482 Walks For All Seasons

Winter, Spring, Summer or Autumn there is always something interesting to see

The Viaduct - Aqueduct walk Tˆy Mawr - Circular walk The Tˆy Mawr Trail Tˆy Mawr, the ‘Wildlife’ Farm The River Dee and its Biodiversity

‘Tıy Mawr’ is Welsh for ‘Big House’ and the park is indeed, a big home for The Dee Valley is not just a beautiful river valley, it is a Site of Special a variety of plants and animals. It is managed as a farm using organic Scientific Interest (SSSI) and a Special Area of Conservation (SAC). methods, which means that chemical pesticides and fertilizers are not This means that it is protected under UK and EU law because of the used as these will damage the wildlife. The small animal area can be special habitats, plants and animals which live in and around the river. found at the top of the park near the Visitor Centre. Atlantic salmon swim up the River Dee to lay their eggs and other fish, Larger animals, including different breeds of sheep, can be seen grazing such as bullhead, grayling and brown trout, are found here. The scarce in the meadows. Signs by each field explain about the animals and freshwater pearl mussel, only found in nine Welsh rivers, thrives here, wildlife you may see. as well as rare floating water plantain.

The farm animals are moved around to different fields to allow the grass The area is full of interesting things to see, as you walk. Beautiful varieties to grow and to keep the fields ‘clean’. Some fields are allowed to grow of dragonflies, butterflies and moths can often be seen in the wildflower to make hay for winter feed and also provide valuable habitats meadows during the warmer months. Interesting fungi species can be for insects and birds. found along the river banks and along the tree lined paths during the autumn. The woodlands and hedges provide ‘wildlife corridors’ for birds, small mammals and insects and the river has a whole ‘wild’ life of its own. Herons, kingfishers, swans, ducks and goosanders can often be seen along the river as buzzards soar overhead. In the winter, long-tailed tits The walk around Tıy Mawr allows you to admire the landscape and watch flock noisily near the canal and both greater spotted and green the wildlife and farm animals. In early spring, newborn lambs scamper woodpeckers tap loudly in the surrounding woodland. On summer around the fields and in the summer months an array of insects, such as evenings, bats dart along the river hunting for moths and house martins butterflies and dragonflies, can be seen in the wildflower meadows. By the swoop down along the water. Otters are sometimes seen in river, birds such as grey wagtails and dippers can often be spotted. both the canal and river.

Please remember not to disturb the habitat, plants or Why not find a quiet spot and watch for a while? animals along the river. They are protected by law. ’s Masterpiece The

The Cefn Viaduct was designed by The first train to cross, carrying Now a World Heritage Site and foundry in Cefn Mawr. The trough Henry Robertson and stands as a local dignitaries, broke down on the Grade 1 Listed Building, this is 1.60 metres (5.25 feet) deep and glorious reminder of ‘railway mania’ and the passengers spent an magnificent aqueduct was designed the joints for the trough were during the 19th century. Thomas uncomfortable night in the by Thomas and completed treated with Welsh flannel dipped in Brassey was employed to build the moonlight with the sparkling river in 1805. boiling sugar, and then sealed with viaduct using local Cefn sandstone Dee below, before being rescued! lead to prevent it from leaking! supplied by the nearby Chatham’s Coal, sandstone, iron, chemicals The canal is fed by River Dee Quarry (now disused). Without the It immediately became of greater and terracotta goods were water from the help of modern machinery, this value than ’s produced in the Cefn Mawr and near Llangollen. took two years to complete at a aqueduct, as the steam trains area and were transported cost £72,346. replaced the canal boats for industrial by canal all over the country. The Aqueduct carries the , particularly coal. The Pontcysyllte Aqueduct is the Shropshire high above The viaduct carries the public, who were keen to explore new highest, longest aqueduct in Britain. the Dee Valley and is nicknamed to railway line and was places, could not wait to travel on the It is the tallest ‘the stream in the sky’. It is now officially opened in October 1848. new trains. in the world. It cost £47,000 and crossed by more than 15,000 boats took 200 men a decade to build. and 20,000 pedestrians a year. The viaduct is... Henry Robertson, who was a pupil Dressed sandstone, from the 0 metres long (1,508 feet), of Robert Stephenson, also built the nearby Chatham’s Quarry, was 46 The aqueduct is... 147 feet) viaduct at . He was an used to build 19 hollow pillars using 45 m etres high ( 307 metres long ( ironmaster and engineer and mortar made from lime, water and 1,007 feet), and has 19 arches constructed much of the inland ox blood. The pillars support a cast 38 metres high (126 feet) railway system of including iron water trough, made by William and has 19 hollow pillars the Vale of . Hazeldine at the Plaskynaston The Tˆy Mawr Trail (approx. 1 mile) This walk is approximately 1mile around. It is easy walking on tarmac surfaced paths. There are sloping sections. There are no stiles. 1. Start from outside the Visitor Centre, go past the barn, across the yard towards the large gate. Turn right following the ‘Tıy Mawr Trail’ Tˆy Mawr sign post. Follow the tarmac path 2. Goat Field Country Park around the park.

2. At the goat field, check the sign 1. Visitor Centre for information about the field. 6. Mini Beast Woods 3. The path follows the river bank past the ‘beach’, a lovely spot Aqueduct Path 5. Dovecote where you can stop for awhile. River Dee 4. Continue along the path, below the Cefn Viaduct arches.

5. At the top of the path, near the 4. Cefn Viaduct dovecote and yellow gates, an information board explains more about the history of the viaduct. You may see some animals 3. Beach grazing in the fields. 6. Go through the second yellow Information boards at each gate and into the Mini beast woods. field will tell you a little more This wooded area emerges back about the animals in the fields If you look back you may be able to see Castell Dinas onto the picnic field and if you follow and the wildlife you may see. Bran, overlookingLlangollen, in the distance. the path you will pass the smaller animal houses on your right. Don’t miss the duck pond field where a variety of smaller animals will delight young and old alike!

Return to the Visitor Centre. This circular route can be achieved in both directions. The Viaduct - Aqueduct Walk deposits and this area is a good 7. Before returning to Tıy Mawr, if habitat for orchids to grow. you have a good head for heights, (approx. 4 miles return) walk along the canal onto 6. At the base of the aqueduct, the aqueduct for a splendid view of This walk is approximately 4 miles woodpeckers busily tapping the climb the steep steps to your right and the Cefn Viaduct and the medieval long and takes about 2 hours walking trees in this ancient woodland. go up to the Trevor . Trevor Bont Bridge crossing the river Dee. at a leisurely pace. It is easy walking Basin is well worth exploring with a apart from 2 sections of steps. There You may notice orange mud or Visitor Centre, information boards, To return, retrace your steps back are no stiles. water along the path. This comes from water seeping through old sandstone sculptures, colourful boats to Tıy Mawr. toilets and a shop for ice cream! 1. Leaving the Visitor Centre bear mineshafts which contain iron left around the front of the barn and head towards the sandstone Cefn Viaduct. The tarmac path takes you through the mini beast woods and past the dovecote where you will find some detailed information about the Viaduct.

2. Follow the tarmac path beneath the towering viaduct arches. 7. 6. 5. Pump House As you look up you can 3. Continue along beside the river. see calcium deposits Leave the park by turning left Pontcysyllte washed out from the lime through a gate signposted Aqueduct mortar. In the early ‘Pontcysyllte Aqueduct’. evening you may also see bats leaving their roosts 4. Go down the steps through the to hunt for moths. trees and follow the path which runs River Dee alongside the river Dee. This is a linear walk and is easy to follow. As you walk look out for fish jumping in the deep quiet stretches of water. 1. Visitor Centre At the base of the stone 5. Cross the footbridge over pillars look up to the 3. Tyˆ Mawr 4. Trefnant Brook and past the old, aqueduct above, see the Country Park brick built pump house on the left fine stonework achieved (once part of Monsanto Chemical by the local stonemasons 2. Cefn Works). Continue along the path and still standing Viaduct through Jeffrey’s Wood. If you stop straight after 200 years! for a while and you may hear Tˆy Mawr - Circular Walk (approx. 4.5 miles) so carry on along the towpath, 12. At the end of the aqueduct by the This walk is approximately 4.5 miles 4. Soon you will see the railway to cross the Aqueduct and re join this the ‘hand’ sculpture, take the downhill long and takes about 2½ hours your right. It stretches out over the route at point No 11. path which runs steeply down below walking at a leisurely pace. It is easy Viaduct and across the valley to the aqueduct arches. These steps walking apart from 2 steep sections Cefn Mawr. 9. Alternatively, cross the lift bridge run down to the River Dee. The path of steps. There are no stiles. and bear right to the road to Trevor then bears left along Jeffrey’s Wood 5. Just before the bridge over the (there is no footpath). There is an which is an ancient woodland. 1. Exit Tıy Mawr Country Park and , turn right information board at this point. turn right along Cae Gwilym Lane, along the canal tow path. The canal You may notice orange mud or walking under the high railway arch is home to many waterfowl 10. Turn right and follow the road water along the path, this comes to the B5605. Turn right and follow especially ducks and moorhens. down to the river Dee. Cross the from water seeping through old the road down through Newbridge medieval Bont Bridge, with awe mineshafts containing iron deposits to cross the River Dee. 6. Continue along the wooded inspiring view of the Aqueduct and this area is a good habitat for towpath. As you cross a small bridge above and turn right up the steep orchids to grow. 2. Before the bridge, on the other you may catch a glimpse of TˆyMawr road to Trevor. Before crossing the side of the road, Wynnstay Lodge, on the other side of the valley. canal, take the path to the right 13. Continue along the path to the which is a listed building, was once under the aqueduct arch and bear old brick pump house. Cross the an entrance into the Wynnstay estate. 7. Pass the Lime Kiln arches on left up to the canal basin. footbridge and bear right along the your left and continue to the black river bank, through the meadows 3. Carry on, passing Ty Maen Farm and white lift bridge. Here you need 11. The is a colourful and back to Tıy Mawr Country Park. on the left. Look across to your left to make a choice. sight with canal boats moored, the and see the modern Telford Pub and restaurant and a bridge, which spans the Dee, and to 8. If you are brave enough to cross small gift shop, visitor centre and You may even see the your right, the Viaduct, Garth and the 126 feet high Aqueduct, you will toilets. You can also see a series of turquoise flash of a Castell Dinas Bran on the highest witness some of the most stone sculptures representing the hill in the distance. magnificent scenery in Wales and heritage of the area. kingfisher dashing by or pike have an unforgettable experience. If swimming in the muddy depths. Pontcysyllte Aqueduct Tˆy Mawr, Circular Walk (approx 4.5 miles) 12. 11. 10. 13.

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River Dee

9. 1. Visitor Centre 8. Tyˆ Mawr 7. Country Park 3.

Cefn 6. Viaduct 4. 5.

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