Tag Archives: Wales

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Caerdroia

Date: 18 December 2021

Location: Gwydyr Forest, Llanrwst, 53.1237°, -3.80588°

Information

"The Caerdroia, meaning ‘Castle of Turns’, is an ancient Welsh folk tradition of Labyrinth Making that died out in the 18th Century. Caerdroia were created as a stage for May Day festivities by shepherds who cut the distinctive 7 circuit shape from turf on hill tops.

"Likewise, this modern day Caerdroia created by local artists and poets stages community performances each year that celebrate the unique cultural heritage of the Gwydyr Forest. At other times this mile long path is open for you to wander and is best done so alone and in contemplation.

— Plaque below the slate model depicting the Ariadne’s Thread of the 7-circuit classical labyrinth

The forest labyrinth was created in 2005 and is maintained by Llanrwst-based social enterprise Golygfa Gwydyr. With a path length of one mile, it is said to be largest of its kind in the world.

Unfortunately, on this occasion the path of the labyrinth was blocked by fallen trees blown over during Storm Arwen.

Further reading

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Lady Mary’s Walk

  • Gwydyr Bowling Green
  • Oak Towers, Mari Elain Gwent 2009
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Date: 9 October 2021

Location: Gwydyr Forest, Llanrwst 53.13219234°N, -3.80959076°W

The 2 km walking trail through the forest starts from the Sawbench car park and is named after one of the two Lady Marys from the Wynn family, which owned the Gwydyr Estate.

Gwydyr Bowling Green was created around 400 years ago by Sir John Wynn. The site, which has splendid views over the town of Llanrwst, was rediscovered in 2003.

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Lligwy Burial Chamber

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Date: 27 August 2021

Location: Moelfre, Anglesey 53.350082,-4.252709

"This small burial chamber was constructed around five thousand years ago at the end of the Neolithic.

"It contained the bones of up to 30 men, women and children.

"The massive limestone capstone is said to weigh over 25 tons. It would originally have been covered with a mound of turf and soil, like the nearby burial chambers at Bryn Celli Du and Barclodiad y Gawres.

"The local farming community enlarged a natural gap in the limestone pavement to create the burial chamber.

"If you look around you, you will see the naturally weathered slabs of the limestone pavement, raised above the surrounding fields.

"The heavy slab was probably levered up from where it lay, rather than dragged here. Smaller upright stones were wedged beneath it to raise it above the gap.

"The people who built it had no access to metal tools, which makes it all the more remarkable."

— Interpretation panel

Further reading
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Plas Penaeldroch Labyrinth

  • Plas Penaeldroch Labyrinth
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Date: 18 August 2021

Location: Plas Penaeldroch Manor, Pont-y-Pant, Dolwyddelan 53.06733, -3.8585

The labyrinth, constructed in 2016 from paving blocks and slate chippings, is of a 4-arm, 7-circuit design. It is situated in the lower garden of the Manor, which was buit in 1884 as a hunting lodge.

The current owners, who are in the process of renovating the Manor as a hotel and cafe, have kindly made the labyrinth available to the public at any time.

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🌿🐉🐉 Two Dragons Garden 🐉🐉🌿

  • Camellia japonica ‘Shirobotan’
  • Camellia japonica ‘Shirobotan’
  • Acer palmatum ‘Osakazuki’
  • Acer palmatum ‘Osakazuki’
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Date

5 July 2021

Location

Treborth Botanic Garden, Bangor
SH 55240 71098; 53.21714°N, 4.16947°W

Related

Treborth Botanic Garden;
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