Artist's Wood

Wood, Forest in Caernarfonshire

Wales

Artist's Wood

St Mary's Church, Betws-y-Coed Credit: David Robinson

Artist's Wood is a picturesque forest located in Caernarfonshire, a county in northwestern Wales. This enchanting woodland is nestled amidst the breathtaking Snowdonia National Park, offering visitors a tranquil and idyllic escape into nature.

Covering an area of approximately 100 acres, Artist's Wood is renowned for its diverse and lush vegetation, consisting of a variety of trees such as oak, beech, and birch. The forest boasts a rich tapestry of colors throughout the seasons, with vibrant greens in the spring and summer, transitioning to golden hues in the autumn months.

As the name suggests, this woodland has long been a source of inspiration for artists and nature enthusiasts alike. It provides a serene and secluded environment for creative minds to flourish, with its peaceful ambiance and stunning vistas. The dappled sunlight filtering through the dense canopy creates a charming atmosphere that is perfect for capturing the essence of the natural world on canvas.

In addition to its artistic allure, Artist's Wood offers a range of recreational activities for visitors to enjoy. There are several well-maintained walking trails that wind through the forest, allowing hikers to explore its hidden corners and discover its hidden treasures. Birdwatchers will also delight in the abundance of avian species that call this woodland home, including woodpeckers, owls, and an array of songbirds.

Artist's Wood is a true gem within Caernarfonshire, providing a sanctuary of beauty and tranquility for all who venture within its borders. Whether one seeks artistic inspiration, a peaceful retreat, or simply a connection with nature, this forest offers an unforgettable experience immersed in the natural wonders of Wales.

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Artist's Wood Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 53.097878/-3.8299461 or Grid Reference SH7757. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

St Mary's Church, Betws-y-Coed

David Robinson

Cefnrhos Gwawr

Cefnrhos Gwawr forestry

Colin Prosser

Boardwalk carries path over marsh NW of Llyn Elsi

Although marked as a relatively small path (and not a public right of way) on the map, this part of the footpath network around Llyn Elsi clearly sees a lot of use and is well-maintained. Proximity to the tourist mecca of Betws-y-Coed explains the popularity of a walk mostly deep in planted forestry, though a continuous drizzle meant we met few others today on this west side of the reservoir.

Andy Waddington

Outcrop in shore of Llyn Elsi

It's important for reservoirs to be on impermeable rock, and the whole of Llyn Elsi lies on the Cwm Eigiau Formation of siltstones and mudstones with occasional small beds of sandstone of Caradoc (Late Ordovician) age. The local Caradoc epoch spans all of the ICS Sandbian stage and the first half of the Katian stage, and is 458-448 million years old. Clearly, it doesn't leak. It's an attractive body of water by reservoir standards as it seems to be maintained at a pretty constant level without ugly draw-down beaches. Surrounded by forest (albeit mostly planted exotic conifers) it was also pretty sheltered on this somewhat miserable British summer day.

Andy Waddington

Swallow Falls

The Swallow falls near Betws-y-Coed on the Afon Llugwy.

Bob Walters

Afon Llugwy, Pont-y-Pair Rapids

Recent heavy rainfall has caused the river to become swollen and the rapids above the Pont-y-Pair Bridge are more spectacular than usual.

David Dixon

Afon Llugwy at Betws-y-Coed

Recent heavy rainfall has caused the river to become swollen and the rapids above the Pont-y-Pair Bridge are more spectacular than usual.

David Dixon

Betws-y-Coed, Pont-y-Pair Bridge and Rapids

Recent heavy rainfall has caused the river to become swollen and the rapids beneath the Pont-y-Pair Bridge are more spectacular than usual. The bridge is said to date from the late-fifteenth century although the present fabric is probably seventeenth century and it was widened and partly rebuilt in the late eighteenth/early nineteenth century. It is a Grade II* listed building (Cadw reference 3230 Link

David Dixon

Fire station and Rhes Dolydd

A pleasing group of buildings in a slate vernacular. I thought that the fire station resembled a chapel; maybe that was deliberate?

Jonathan Wilkins

Bro Gethin, Ffordd Gethin

Housing in an outlying part of Betws-y-coed.

Jonathan Wilkins

Forest track

Rock outcrops by the side of a forestry access road. Without the benefit of this activity by the Forestry Commission, we would have no view of the rocks in this area.

Jonathan Wilkins

Quarry in the forest

A small quarry operated (originally) by the Forestry Commission to produce stone for building access roads in this tract of upland forestry. The rock exposed here belongs to the Cwm Eigiau Formation (Ordovician, Soudleyan to Longvillian), which is mostly siltstone and mudstone hardened into poor-quality slate by tectonic forces. Here there was a knoll, now quarried away, comprising competent sandstone which was better for crushing down for surface dressings. Grading of the site is preparatory to closure for extraction.

Jonathan Wilkins

The Towers Outdoor Education Centre

Eirian Evans

FindMeKnitting and The Wool Library

No, my typing maybe poor but this is correctly spelt. Two relatively new specialist outlets.

Richard Hoare

Looking along the dam face of Llyn Tynymynydd

The shallow Llyn Tynymynydd is slowly silting up and reverting to bog, but was once a reservoir used in the lead mining industry. Both the shore and the dam face are becoming covered in seral trees, mainly birch and alder.

Andy Waddington

Looking over ruined Cyffty lead mine buildings

Next to the carpark is the crushing mill whilst autumnal bracken outlines the buddle beyond which lies the forge. Unlike lead mining ruins in some other areas, the ground does not seem to have become so toxic that nothing grows and the mine is much more overgrown than I would have expected.

Andy Waddington

Sarn Helen above Rhiwddolion

Although the modern track follows the Roman road closely most of the way, this bit of Sarn Helen may not be quite in the footsteps of the legions, as it seems to wave around off the dead straight course we've come to expect of invaders determined to get where they are going as directly as possible. The dogs clearly aren't of Latin descent, they can make any straight line walk into a random wander.

Andy Waddington