Lower Birch Wood

Wood, Forest in Denbighshire

Wales

Lower Birch Wood

Toll Gate Cafe On the A5 west of Llangollen. — Toll Gate Cafe Credit: John H Darch

Lower Birch Wood is a picturesque woodland located in Denbighshire, Wales. Covering an area of approximately 50 hectares, this forest is a haven for nature enthusiasts and outdoor lovers. The wood is situated on the eastern slopes of the Clwydian Range, providing visitors with breathtaking views of the surrounding countryside.

The woodland is predominantly composed of birch trees, which give it its name. These elegant trees create a dense canopy, casting dappled sunlight on the forest floor. In addition to birch, the wood is also home to a variety of other tree species such as oak, beech, and holly, creating a diverse and vibrant ecosystem.

Lower Birch Wood is known for its rich biodiversity, with a wide range of wildlife calling it home. Visitors may come across deer, badgers, foxes, and a plethora of bird species, including the great spotted woodpecker and tawny owl. The wood is also renowned for its vibrant wildflower displays, with bluebells and primroses carpeting the forest floor in the spring.

The woodland offers numerous walking trails, allowing visitors to explore its natural beauty at their own pace. These paths wind through the forest, leading to viewpoints that offer panoramic vistas of the surrounding countryside. Lower Birch Wood is a popular spot for outdoor activities such as birdwatching, photography, and picnicking.

Overall, Lower Birch Wood in Denbighshire is a stunning woodland, providing a tranquil and scenic escape for nature lovers. Whether one is seeking a peaceful walk or an opportunity to immerse themselves in the beauty of nature, this forest is sure to captivate and delight.

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Lower Birch Wood Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 52.96799/-3.2069458 or Grid Reference SJ1941. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

Toll Gate Cafe

On the A5 west of Llangollen.

John H Darch

Heading West on the A5

John H Darch

Llangollen Canal - the end

Between the Bridge Hotel and the Horseshoe Falls, the canal terminates at this point.

Trevor Harris

View across the Dee Valley

Taken from the Llangollen Railway.

Trevor Harris

The Chain Bridge

There has been a crossing point over the River Dee at Berwyn as far back as Roman times, later serving the Cistercian monks of the nearby Valle Crucis Abbey. At the beginning of the 19th century plans were made to build the first bridge in this most beautiful of locations. Exuperius Pickering was a local entrepreneur dealing in limestone and slate. He had been involved in the building of the Pontcysyllte Aqueduct and had got to know Thomas Telford well. Telford had been given the work of building the now A5 from London to Holyhead following the latter being chosen as the main port between Britain and Ireland. The existing road was already a major coaching route but its condition was no better than a dirt track in many places. Pickering was quick to see the trading opportunity as the route of the new road would travel close to his works in Berwyn. In conjunction with Telford, the first Llangollen Chain Bridge was duly completed in 1814, the year before work started on the new road. This was made of wood, with chains slung underneath. It survived until 1870 before needing a complete refurbishment by another famous engineer Sir Henry Robinson, owner of the Brymbo Iron Works. Archive Link

The bridge fell into disrepair SJ1943 : The Chain Bridge but thankfully, the adjacent Chain Bridge hotel has had new owners in recent years and they have now repaired the bridge as seen here.

Eirian Evans

Two bridges from a third bridge

The lower bridge (King's Bridge) carries the B5103 over the River Dee to join the A5 near Berwyn Railway Station. The higher bridge is a viaduct crossing a tributary which joins the River Dee and carrying the steam railway between Llangollen and Carrog. The photo was taken from the Chain Bridge SJ1943 : The Chain Bridge, a footbridge crossing the river from the Chain Bridge Hotel to Berwyn Station.

Eirian Evans

Recent felling on the edge of the forest

John H Darch

Horseshoe Falls, Berwyn near Llangollen

Colin Park

Llantysilio - St Tysilio's Church

Colin Park

Bathers at Horseshoe Falls, Berwyn near Llangollen

Colin Park

Berwyn Station on the Llangollen Railway

Berwyn Station from the A5 going towards Llangollen.

Bob Walters

The A5 near Berwyn

The A5 twisting its way through the Welsh mountains near Berwyn. The Llangollen Railway passes through Berwyn Tunnel almost beneath this point on its way to Corwen.

Bob Walters