Blog Elements

Half Sized Blog Element (Single Author Style)

Half Sized Blog Element (Multi Author Style)

Volunteering at Gwaith Powdwr Nature Reserve

January 20, 2017/in Travel, United Kingdom /by ValleyFamilyFun

Volunteering at Gwaith Powdwr Nature Reserve Before leaving Canada, we connected with the North Wales Wildlife Trust to find out about volunteer activities at the local nature reserves. Every Wednesday, a group of volunteers gather at the Gwaith Powdwr Nature Reserve in Penrhyndeudraeth to work on conservation projects around the nature reserve. Before we started, […]

A day in Betws Y Coed with fairies, dragons and rhinos

January 19, 2017/2 Comments/in Travel, United Kingdom /by ValleyFamilyFun

A day in Betws Y Coed with fairies, dragons and rhinos Betws-y-Coed is known as the gateway to Snowdonia National Park. Many people stop here before furthering their adventure of hiking, biking or heading into the mountains. In fact, there are apparently more trail shops here per capita than anywhere else! I like to call […]

Volunteering at Gwaith Powdwr Nature Reserve

January 20, 2017/in Travel, United Kingdom /by ValleyFamilyFun

A day in Betws Y Coed with fairies, dragons and rhinos

January 19, 2017/2 Comments/in Travel, United Kingdom /by ValleyFamilyFun

Full Sized Blog Element (Big Preview Pic)

Volunteering at Gwaith Powdwr Nature Reserve

January 20, 2017/in Travel, United Kingdom /by ValleyFamilyFun

Volunteering at Gwaith Powdwr Nature Reserve

Before leaving Canada, we connected with the North Wales Wildlife Trust to find out about volunteer activities at the local nature reserves.

Every Wednesday, a group of volunteers gather at the Gwaith Powdwr Nature Reserve in Penrhyndeudraeth to work on conservation projects around the nature reserve.

Before we started, we had a tour of the site.

Gwaith Powdwr was once the biggest explosives works in Europe. It was donated to the North Wales Wildlife Trust in 1998 and is now managed as a nature reserve. The reserve offers fabulous views of Snowdonia and the Dwyryd Estuary.

Gwaith Powdwr started producing explosives in 1865, supplying munitions in both World Wars and, in the latter half of the twentieth century, explosives for the mining industry.

In fact, at the top of the hill is a place where they used to test ammunition by putting it in a cannon and firing it into this 2 tonne pendulum. The experts would know how strong the ammunition was, based on how far the pendulum swung!

I can just imagine how loud that would be!

We got a wonderful tour of the area and a description of all the wildlife that live there from the plants and animals.

After that, we were able to help with a few tasks including helping to clear brush around one of the buildings. The building will be getting a new roof to make it a better roosting spot for lesser horseshoe bats.

We will definitely be back again. What a great learning opportunity, and it was nice to meet some of the local people!

Save

A day in Betws Y Coed with fairies, dragons and rhinos

January 19, 2017/2 Comments/in Travel, United Kingdom /by ValleyFamilyFun

A day in Betws Y Coed with fairies, dragons and rhinos

Betws-y-Coed is known as the gateway to Snowdonia National Park. Many people stop here before furthering their adventure of hiking, biking or heading into the mountains. In fact, there are apparently more trail shops here per capita than anywhere else!

I like to call it the Banff of North Wales!

Plus, it has a great building with a great name!

And, a bridge that is as old as Napolean’s battle of Waterloo!

Daniel gives a great overview of the town in his video:

Our first stop was at Fairy Glen.

Tucked away in behind a farmer’s house, is this amazing gorge where you are sure fairies live!

We had to climb down some steep and slippery slate steps.

The climb down was well worth it, when we realized why it’s called Fairy Glen!

It was so peaceful, sitting and listening to the rush of the water, imaging the fairies fluttering by!

From here, we headed into town.

We first stopped at the foot suspension bridge!

Then for a visit the St. Michael’s Church, dating back to the 13th century.

It is also a memorial to Gruffydd ap Dafydd Goch, a 13th century soldier from the area.

At the train station, we found a row of dragons welcoming us.

Also on the platform is a gorgeous mesh rhino. It is an art installment to remind people of the devastation happening to rhinos in the wild.

Children are to feed it milk caps or bottle lids. We will remember to bring some the next time!

After walking around the lake at the edge of the golf course, and finding this lovely friend,

we headed back into town and found a bakery. Little bakeries are everywhere, and it’s fun to try the traditional types of bread, including this eccles cake made from raisins.

There is plenty more to discover in the beautiful little town of Betws y Coed in the Welsh mountains. We will definitely be back!

Save

(Visited 422 times, 1 visits today)

Blog Elements

Half Sized Blog Element (Single Author Style)

Half Sized Blog Element (Multi Author Style)

Full Sized Blog Element (Big Preview Pic)

Volunteering at Gwaith Powdwr Nature Reserve

A day in Betws Y Coed with fairies, dragons and rhinos

Categories