Afon Braint facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Afon Braint |
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The stepping stones across Afon Braint
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 Location of the mouth
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| Native name | Afon Braint |
| Country | Wales |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Main source | Pentraeth 53°17′4″N 4°9′57″W / 53.28444°N 4.16583°W |
| River mouth | Menai Strait 53°8′52″N 4°20′18″W / 53.14778°N 4.33833°W |
Afon Braint (which means River Braint in English) is a small tidal river in North Wales. It is located on the island of Anglesey. Near the village of Dwyran, you can find a series of stepping stones across the river. There is also an old bridge near Penmynydd that is a Grade II protected historic building.
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About Afon Braint
Afon Braint is a river found in the southern part of Anglesey, North Wales. Its main starting point is a lake called Llyn Llwydiarth. This lake is located on Mynydd Llwydiarth, inside the Pentraeth Forest. This area is east of Pentraeth and southwest of Llanddona.
Where the River Flows
This river is quite special because it has two separate places where it flows into the sea. Both of these mouths are on the Menai Strait, which is on the south coast of Anglesey.
The river splits near Llanfairpwllgwyngyll. One part of the river flows east for a short distance. Then, it turns south and empties into the Menai Strait at a place called Pwllfanogl.
The other main part of Afon Braint flows southwest from Llanfairpwllgwyngyll. It goes towards Brynsiencyn, running alongside the A4080 road. When it reaches Dwyran, it turns southwest again. It then flows under the road and into the Menai Strait at Traeth Abermenai. This spot is east of Newborough Warren, close to Pen-Lôn. At this point, Afon Braint is a tidal river. This means its water level goes up and down with the ocean tides.
What Does 'Braint' Mean?
In the modern Welsh language, the word 'braint' has several meanings. It can mean 'privilege,' 'honor,' or 'freedom.' However, the river's name is believed to come from an ancient source. It is thought to be named after Brigantia. She was a goddess in Celtic religions from a long time ago.
Interesting Places Along the River
The ancient site of Bryn Celli Ddu is very close to the river. It is considered one of the best passage graves in Wales. A passage grave is an old burial chamber with a long stone corridor.
Near the village of Dwyran, you can find large limestone stepping stones. These stones help people cross the river. There is also a Grade II listed bridge near Penmynydd. This means it's an important historical building that is protected.
Recent Events and Namesakes
In 2004, the Afon Braint river flooded. This caused problems for train services on the line between Holyhead and Chester. The flooding happened at the crossing near Llanfairpwllgwyngyll.
A tugboat has even been named after the river! The Afon Braint tugboat was given to the Holyhead Towing Company in April 2005.
