Castle Wood

Wood, Forest in Brecknockshire

Wales

Castle Wood

A40 by Llwyfen Farm With the sunlight highlighting the slopes of Pen Allt-mawr. — A40 by Llwyfen Farm Credit: Jennifer Luther Thomas

Castle Wood is a charming woodland area located in Brecknockshire, a historic county in Wales. This beautiful forest is situated near the town of Brecon, providing locals and tourists with a tranquil escape from the bustling city life. Spanning over a vast area of approximately 100 hectares, Castle Wood offers a diverse range of natural landscapes, including dense woodlands, rolling hills, and meandering streams.

The wood is characterized by its rich biodiversity, housing a wide array of plant and animal species. Visitors can expect to encounter towering oak and beech trees, along with an assortment of flowering plants and vibrant ferns that carpet the forest floor. The wood is also home to various wildlife, such as deer, badgers, and an abundance of bird species, making it a haven for nature enthusiasts and birdwatchers.

One of the key attractions within Castle Wood is the ruins of an ancient castle, after which the wood is named. These ruins, dating back to the medieval period, offer a glimpse into the area's intriguing history and add a touch of mystery to the woodland experience. Exploring the castle ruins amidst the peaceful surroundings is a favorite activity for many visitors.

Castle Wood is a popular destination for outdoor activities, including hiking, picnicking, and photography. A network of well-maintained trails allows visitors to explore the wood at their own pace, immersing themselves in the natural beauty and serenity that it offers. Additionally, the wood is equipped with picnic areas, providing a perfect spot for families and friends to enjoy a leisurely lunch surrounded by nature's splendor.

Overall, Castle Wood in Brecknockshire is a picturesque forest that offers a perfect blend of natural beauty, historical intrigue, and outdoor recreation.

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Castle Wood Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 51.896798/-3.2444846 or Grid Reference SO1422. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

A40 by Llwyfen Farm

With the sunlight highlighting the slopes of Pen Allt-mawr.

Jennifer Luther Thomas

Roman road

The bridleway on the left follows the route of a Roman road. To the right is the entrance and driveway to Middlewood Farm, The Welsh Venison Centre.

Jennifer Luther Thomas

Fields to Castle Wood

Jennifer Luther Thomas

The Elms

With glimpses of the Usk.

Jennifer Luther Thomas

Buckland Hill near Bwlch

The A40 Brecon/Abergavenny road passes through a gap in the hills at Bwlch (Welsh = pass) where a spur of the Black Mountains/Y Mynyddoedd Duon reaches across the broad valley of the River Usk/Afon Wysg. It is probably the presence of the hard-wearing sandstones of the Brownstones Formation seen amongst the bracken in this shot which account for the presence of Buckland Hill. It would have been over-ridden by the Usk valley glacier moving southeastwards through here during the last Ice Age. The area is now access land.

Alan Bowring

Views from Buckland Hill

A line of lichen-encrusted low sandstone buttresses decorate the western edge of the hill immediately south of the village of Bwlch (Welsh = 'pass') on the A40. Emerging from a bracken-covered slope scattered with oaks, birch and hawthorns they afford an excellent viewpoint for the distant ridges of the Black Mountains/Y Mynyddoedd Duon. These same purple/brown rocks (the Brownstones Formation within the 'Old Red Sandstone') also form the larger part of the Brecon Beacons to the south. The prominent spur of 'Crug Hywel' can just be seen in the distance on the right SO2220

Alan Bowring

Bridleway to Cefn Moel

This public right of way runs between bracken banks across slabby Old Red Sandstone bedrock ('Senni Beds' for the initiated) to join the Beacons Way running north from Bwlch.

Alan Bowring

Track at Penlan

This track leaves the gated minor road between Bwlch and Felindre/Cwmdu at a hairpin above the farmstead of Penlan. The status of the track is unclear although the bracken-covered hillside to its left (west) is depicted as access land by OS. Walkers can gain access to Cefn Moel from here though as the sign suggests, motorcyclists are bidden not to do so.

Alan Bowring

Quarries at Tremynfa, Bwlch

The east facing slopes of the hillside north of Bwlch hide a number of small outcrops of the Devonian age 'Senni Beds' or Old Red Sandstone which has been quarried in several places in the past for building stone. Bracken has now claimed these slopes, designated as open country so access is available.

Alan Bowring

Quarried Senni Beds sandstone at Tremynfa

This close-up shot taken in the disused and overgrown quarries in the hillside north of the village of Bwlch reveals the rich colour of this stone which is widely used for building locally.

Alan Bowring

Glacial overflow channel

Just west of the village of Bwlch, the modern A40 crosses this depression on a 5m high embankment. It was at this point that glacial Llangorse Lake/Llyn Syfaddan overflowed into the Usk catchment. It currently empties into the Wye via the Afon Llynfi but that northerly exit was blocked towards the end of the last Ice Age and the dammed waters found an outlet (at a height of 190m) to the south instead.

Alan Bowring