Hafren Forest
The Hafren Forest lies at the source of the River Severn and over its uppermost reaches in Montgomeryshire, to the north-west of Llanidloes, an ancient market town.
Overview
The forest covers around 15 square miles, and consists of mainly pine and spruce trees. It takes its name from the River Severn, known in Welsh as the Hafren, which rises in a deep peat bog about half a mile outside its western boundary of the forest, high on the slopes of Plynlimon (2,467 feet), the highest peak of the Cambrian Mountains marking the border of Montgomeryshire with Cardiganshire.
History
The forest, planted in 1937, is continually changing with felling and planting of trees. Within the forest may be found the remains of Bronze Age copper and lead mines,[1] most notably "Nant yr Eira" and possibly "Nant yr Rickett".
The creation of the forest in 1937 involved the purchase of twelve upland sheep farms, including "Rhyd y Benwch" which is now the location of a car park and picnic area.[2]
Although the farms were not left derelict, they could not provide enough accommodation for forest workers in this sparsely-populated area. At first, with the initial small size of the forest, enough workers could be found locally. Later, workers were transported from Llanidloes. This was unsustainable, and in 1948, the Forestry Commission decided to build a village near Staylittle, to house forestry workers. They employed an eminent architect, Thomas Alwyn Lloyd of Cardiff, to produce plans for a village that would eventually comprise eighty houses, a village shop, school and hall. As a first development, twenty houses were built on the site, with eight more a few miles away: these provided accommodation for half the workers. Construction began in 1949, with the first houses being occupied in 1951. The water supplies for the village, known as Llwyn-y-gog (or Llwynygog), were provided by damming of a nearby stream.[3][4]
Present day use
Although the forest still produces timber, it has also developed as a wildlife habitat and as a tourist attraction. The red kite is seen in the area, along with many other birds, plants and animals. There are numerous footpaths, and many bridleways that are popular for mountain biking and horse riding. Published walks include "The Source of The Severn", "Severn Breaks its Neck" and "The Blaenhafren Falls".[5]
The Wye Valley Walk finishes at Rhyd y Benwch in the forest.[6]
A quarry in the forest is used "explosion studies" by Aberystwyth University's Combustion Physics Group. This quarry had previously been used by British Aerospace.
Motor sport
The forest is a popular location for many motocross and 4x4 championships and rally events.
The forest is regularly used as a stage on the Wales Rally GB. In January 2013 BBC Top Gear used a Bentley Continental driven by Kris Meeke to cover the stage.[7]
Outside links
- Location map: 52°28’44"N, 3°41’30"W
- Natural Resources Wales: Hafren Forest
- Visit Llanidloes: Hafren Forest
References
- ↑ "Archaeology in the Forest: Mines and quarries of North Wales". The Clwyd-Powys Archaeological Trust. http://www.cpat.org.uk/projects/longer/forest/mines/mines.htm. Retrieved 2008-02-29.
- ↑ "Rhyd y benwch Picnic Site". The Forestry Commission. http://www.forestry.gov.uk/website/recreation.nsf/LUWebDocsByKey/WalesPowysNoForestHafrenRhydybenwchCarPark. Retrieved 2008-02-29.
- ↑ "Historic Landscape Characterisation, The Making of the Clywedog Valley Landscape". The Clwyd-Powys Archaeological Trust. http://www.cpat.org.uk/projects/longer/histland/clywed/clyset.htm. Retrieved 2014-11-07.
- ↑ Spence, Barbara (March 2013). "The Forestry Commission in Wales 1919 - 2013". Forestry Commission Wales. http://www.forestry.gov.uk/pdf/EnglishApril2013HistoryFCWsmallerfile.pdf/$FILE/EnglishApril2013HistoryFCWsmallerfile.pdf. Retrieved 2014-11-07.
- ↑ "Welcome to Hafren Forest and the source of the River Severn". The Forestry Commission. http://www.forestry.gov.uk/pdf/hafranwalks.pdf/$FILE/hafranwalks.pdf. Retrieved 2014-11-07.
- ↑ "The Walk - factfile - The Wye Valley Walk". http://www.wyevalleywalk.org/content.php?nID=25. Retrieved 2015-09-07.
- ↑ Evans, David (30 January 2013). "Why the WRC can't forget its past". Autosport. http://plus.autosport.com/premium/feature/5111/why-the-wrc-cant-forget-its-past/.