Afon Cadnant facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Afon Cadnant |
|
|---|---|
Clapper bridge over Afon Cadnant
|
|
| Lua error in Module:Location_map at line 420: attempt to index field 'wikibase' (a nil value).
Location on Anglesey
|
|
| Native name | Afon Cadnant |
| Country | Wales |
| Physical characteristics | |
| River mouth | Menai Strait |
The Afon Cadnant (which means River Cadnant in English) is a small river located on Anglesey, an island off the coast of North Wales. It flows into the Menai Strait, a narrow body of water that separates Anglesey from mainland Wales. The river helps drain water from a large farming area, stretching from Llandegfan to Llansadwrn. Smaller streams, called tributaries, also feed into it from areas near Pentraeth forest.
The land around the river, known as its catchment area, includes several farms where beef and dairy cattle are raised. There are also some man-made ponds used for fishing.
One interesting thing about the Afon Cadnant is the many old water mills found along its banks, especially closer to where it meets the Menai Strait. For a long time, up until the late 1700s, people worked hard to use the river's power to grind corn. This shows how important Anglesey was for growing grain, earning it the nickname "the bread-basket of Wales."
Contents
Cadnant Dingle: A Special Valley
The lower part of the Afon Cadnant is known as Cadnant Dingle. This area is a deep, narrow valley with very steep sides and lots of trees. It's quite difficult to access because of the dense woodland.
Why Cadnant Dingle is Special
Cadnant Dingle is officially recognized as a SSSI. This means it's a very important natural area. It's a great example of a specific type of broadleaved woodland. These woods are home to plants like slender falsebrome, and trees such as Oak and Ash. Protecting this area helps keep these special habitats safe.
Life Along the River Mouth
At the very end of the river, where it meets the Menai Strait, there's a small group of houses called Cwm Cadnant. A modern bridge, which carries the main road to Beaumaris, crosses the river here.
Long ago, before the famous Menai Suspension Bridge was built, this spot was a very important place. Boats carrying ground corn from the mills would land here to take their goods to the mainland. It was also a regular stopping point for the Bishop of Bangor when he traveled between his home at Glyn Garth on Anglesey and his Cathedral in Bangor.
Historical Buildings Upstream
If you go further upstream from the old bridge, you can find more historical buildings. There's an old smithy, which was a workshop where a blacksmith would make or repair things out of metal. You can also see a few small cottages where workers used to live. An old slate mill, built in 1820, is also located here, showing the area's industrial past.
