The Warren

Downs, Moorland in Caernarfonshire

Wales

The Warren

Forest track below Clogwyn Mawr — Forest track below Clogwyn Mawr Credit: Richard Law

The Warren, located in Caernarfonshire, Wales, is a picturesque area characterized by its stunning downs and moorland landscapes. Spanning approximately 200 acres, this natural beauty spot is a haven for nature enthusiasts and offers breathtaking views of the surrounding countryside.

The downs of The Warren are vast, open spaces covered in short grasses and low-lying vegetation. These rolling hills provide a peaceful environment for leisurely walks and picnics, and their elevated positions offer panoramic vistas of the surrounding area. During the spring and summer months, the downs come alive with vibrant wildflowers, including purple heather and yellow gorse, creating a tapestry of colors that is truly awe-inspiring.

The moorland of The Warren is equally captivating. Blanketed in heather and bracken, this rugged terrain is a habitat for various wildlife species, including birds of prey, such as kestrels and buzzards. The moorland is also home to an array of small mammals, including rabbits and voles, which can be spotted scurrying about. The area is a popular spot for birdwatching, with many rare and migratory birds making an appearance throughout the year.

Visitors to The Warren can enjoy leisurely strolls along well-maintained paths, taking in the beauty of the downs and moorland, or venture off the beaten track for a more adventurous hike. With its unspoiled natural landscapes and captivating wildlife, The Warren offers a tranquil escape from the hustle and bustle of everyday life and is a must-visit destination for nature lovers.

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The Warren Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 53.042016/-3.9589387 or Grid Reference SH6851. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

Forest track below Clogwyn Mawr

Forest track below Clogwyn Mawr

Forest track above Blaenau Dolwyddelan An easy track through the forest, but access is positively discouraged at the point the track leaves the road in the valley below.

Forest track above Blaenau Dolwyddelan

An easy track through the forest, but access is positively discouraged at the point the track leaves the road in the valley below.

Down the track towards a tight bend A forest track running through the woods above Blaenau Dolwyddelan.

Down the track towards a tight bend

A forest track running through the woods above Blaenau Dolwyddelan.

Forest track, with a 'bridge' The map marks the track crossing the Ceunant Ty&#039;n-y-Ddol just here, but the bridge actually consists of little more than a concrete pipe buried below the trackway.

Forest track, with a 'bridge'

The map marks the track crossing the Ceunant Ty'n-y-Ddol just here, but the bridge actually consists of little more than a concrete pipe buried below the trackway.

Track heading up into the mist

Track heading up into the mist

Track in the forest The forest track here crosses an area marked as Sarn Diwaunydd (&#039;poor causeway&#039;) which rather suggests this was boggy or difficult ground at one time prior to the planting of the trees.

Track in the forest

The forest track here crosses an area marked as Sarn Diwaunydd ('poor causeway') which rather suggests this was boggy or difficult ground at one time prior to the planting of the trees.

Old sheepfold or building in Cwm Edno Despite the height of the walls, this doesn&#039;t look like it was ever roofed (not slated at any rate) and the 6&quot; to the mile map of 1899 shows it as just walls. It is described by Coflein <span class="nowrap"><a title="https://coflein.gov.uk/en/site/512949/" rel="nofollow ugc noopener" href="https://coflein.gov.uk/en/site/512949/">Link</a><img style="margin-left:2px;" alt="External link" title="External link - shift click to open in new window" src="https://s1.geograph.org.uk/img/external.png" width="10" height="10"/></span> as &#039;Building&#039;, with some limited detail of their investigations in 2010 or 2011. There is/was a benchmark on the SE corner, levelled at 1213ft above Liverpool datum; which I failed to look for on this visit, rather carelessly.

Old sheepfold or building in Cwm Edno

Despite the height of the walls, this doesn't look like it was ever roofed (not slated at any rate) and the 6" to the mile map of 1899 shows it as just walls. It is described by Coflein Link

as 'Building', with some limited detail of their investigations in 2010 or 2011. There is/was a benchmark on the SE corner, levelled at 1213ft above Liverpool datum; which I failed to look for on this visit, rather carelessly.

Tributary of the Afon Edno This stream is one of several draining the hillside beside the trees in <a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/410621">SH6752 : A clump of conifers above Afon Cwm Edno</a>

Tributary of the Afon Edno

This stream is one of several draining the hillside beside the trees in SH6752 : A clump of conifers above Afon Cwm Edno

The former dam in Cwm Edno Now breached, and the reservoir behind it is little more than a bog; it once held back a substantial reservoir whose purpose is not entirely clear. It was drained by the 1950s.

The former dam in Cwm Edno

Now breached, and the reservoir behind it is little more than a bog; it once held back a substantial reservoir whose purpose is not entirely clear. It was drained by the 1950s.

Southwards across the former dam The dam held back a reservoir from sometime in the 18th or 19th centuries, until it was breached and drained in the 1950s. Purpose of the reservoir unknown.

Southwards across the former dam

The dam held back a reservoir from sometime in the 18th or 19th centuries, until it was breached and drained in the 1950s. Purpose of the reservoir unknown.

Breach in the dam wall The dam which held back the reservoir <a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/7220098">SH6752 : The former dam in Cwm Edno</a> was breached in the 1950s, when this substantial opening was made, restoring the Afon Cwm Edno to its former riverbed.

Breach in the dam wall

The dam which held back the reservoir SH6752 : The former dam in Cwm Edno was breached in the 1950s, when this substantial opening was made, restoring the Afon Cwm Edno to its former riverbed.

Downstream view of the Afon Cwm Edno Seen from the old dam wall

Downstream view of the Afon Cwm Edno

Seen from the old dam wall

Footbridge across the Afon Cwm Edno The origins of the bridge, and probably the abutments on each bank, are thought to be medieval; it&#039;s quite possible that the stone clapper span is original too. It&#039;s recently been supplemented by a couple of wooden planks which make the whole affair seem that bit wider when walking over it. The same bridge is seen in <a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/203085">SH6752 : Footbridge across the lower Afon Cwm Edno</a> back in 2006.

Footbridge across the Afon Cwm Edno

The origins of the bridge, and probably the abutments on each bank, are thought to be medieval; it's quite possible that the stone clapper span is original too. It's recently been supplemented by a couple of wooden planks which make the whole affair seem that bit wider when walking over it. The same bridge is seen in SH6752 : Footbridge across the lower Afon Cwm Edno back in 2006.

Former longhut building in the valley One of two probable hafodau (post-medieval) longhuts just here, whose age is uncertain, but which are clearly shown on the 1:10560 maps from the late 19th century. They are recorded by the Gwynedd Archaeological Trust at <span class="nowrap"><a title="https://archwilio.org.uk/arch/query/page.php?watprn=GAT4521&amp;dbname=gat&amp;tbname=core" rel="nofollow ugc noopener" href="https://archwilio.org.uk/arch/query/page.php?watprn=GAT4521&amp;dbname=gat&amp;tbname=core">Link</a><img style="margin-left:2px;" alt="External link" title="External link - shift click to open in new window" src="https://s1.geograph.org.uk/img/external.png" width="10" height="10"/></span>

Former longhut building in the valley

One of two probable hafodau (post-medieval) longhuts just here, whose age is uncertain, but which are clearly shown on the 1:10560 maps from the late 19th century. They are recorded by the Gwynedd Archaeological Trust at Link

The old trackway in Cwm Edno

The old trackway in Cwm Edno

Slate tippings Probably the same slate heap seen in <a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/6798235">SH6852 : Slate waste and sheepfold</a>, but it lies near the entrance to a small quarry referred to by the Gwynedd Archaeological Trust as Chwarel Owen Parry in <span class="nowrap"><a title="https://archwilio.org.uk/arch/query/page.php?watprn=GAT20094&amp;dbname=gat&amp;tbname=core" rel="nofollow ugc noopener" href="https://archwilio.org.uk/arch/query/page.php?watprn=GAT20094&amp;dbname=gat&amp;tbname=core">Link</a><img style="margin-left:2px;" alt="External link" title="External link - shift click to open in new window" src="https://s1.geograph.org.uk/img/external.png" width="10" height="10"/></span> Whether it was ever commercially viable, or simply provided a bit of local building stone, remains unanswered.

Slate tippings

Probably the same slate heap seen in SH6852 : Slate waste and sheepfold, but it lies near the entrance to a small quarry referred to by the Gwynedd Archaeological Trust as Chwarel Owen Parry in Link

Whether it was ever commercially viable, or simply provided a bit of local building stone, remains unanswered.

Gateway with substantial posts Referred to by the Gwynedd Archaeological Trust in <span class="nowrap"><a title="https://archwilio.org.uk/arch/query/page.php?watprn=GAT8486&amp;dbname=gat&amp;tbname=core" rel="nofollow ugc noopener" href="https://archwilio.org.uk/arch/query/page.php?watprn=GAT8486&amp;dbname=gat&amp;tbname=core">Link</a><img style="margin-left:2px;" alt="External link" title="External link - shift click to open in new window" src="https://s1.geograph.org.uk/img/external.png" width="10" height="10"/></span> as a &#039;Post Medieval Gate&#039; with massive upright slabs. The notice reads &quot;Please please close this gate&quot; which makes me think the farmer is particularly civil in his request, or has had problems in the past. We closed it.

Gateway with substantial posts

Referred to by the Gwynedd Archaeological Trust in Link

as a 'Post Medieval Gate' with massive upright slabs. The notice reads "Please please close this gate" which makes me think the farmer is particularly civil in his request, or has had problems in the past. We closed it.

Sheepfolds on the hillside The sheepfolds in question aren&#039;t the parallel grey lines just below the forest on the far side of the Ceunant Ty&#039;n-y-ddol. We are talking here about the pens attached to the wall which runs in from the left, also seen from the west in <a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/6798235">SH6852 : Slate waste and sheepfold</a>

Sheepfolds on the hillside

The sheepfolds in question aren't the parallel grey lines just below the forest on the far side of the Ceunant Ty'n-y-ddol. We are talking here about the pens attached to the wall which runs in from the left, also seen from the west in SH6852 : Slate waste and sheepfold

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The Warren is located at Grid Ref: SH6851 (Lat: 53.042016, Lng: -3.9589387)

Unitary Authority: Conwy

Police Authority: North Wales

What 3 Words

///sues.introduce.celebrate. Near Blaenau-Ffestiniog, Gwynedd

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Nearby Amenities

Located within 500m of 53.042016,-3.9589387

Power: pole

Source: Bing

Lat/Long: 53.0432341/-3.9522942

Power: pole

Source: Bing

Lat/Long: 53.041159/-3.9519831

Power: pole

Source: Bing

Lat/Long: 53.0426705/-3.9522097

Ford: yes

Lat/Long: 53.0439139/-3.9524369

Power: pole

Lat/Long: 53.0433573/-3.9520243

Power: pole

Lat/Long: 53.0390243/-3.9586569

Power: pole

Lat/Long: 53.0383741/-3.9583359

Power: pole

Lat/Long: 53.043014/-3.9522612

Power: pole

Lat/Long: 53.0419533/-3.9521022

Power: pole

Lat/Long: 53.0415561/-3.9520477

Power: pole

Lat/Long: 53.0407213/-3.9519416

Ford: yes

Lat/Long: 53.044572/-3.95437

The data included in this document is from www.openstreetmap.org. The data is made available under ODbL.

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