Cilan Head facts for kids
Cilan Head is a special piece of land that sticks out into the sea. It's located at the very tip of the Llŷn Peninsula in northwestern Wales. You can find it close to the town of Abersoch.
This headland is the most southern point of the peninsula. It sits at about the same latitude as Dyffryn Ardudwy, which is a place between Harlech and Barmouth. To the north of Cilan Head, there's a small village called Cilan Uchaf. This area has holiday homes and even a horse riding school. To the west, you'll find Porth Neigwyl, also known as Nigel. This is a curved bay about four miles long. It was named after a knight called Sir Nigel Loring. If you look east from the headland, you can see Saint Tudwal's Island West and the St Tudwal’s Lighthouse. This lighthouse was built a long time ago, in the late 1870s.
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Exploring Cilan Head's Nature
Cilan Head is a large area of shared land. It covers about 215 acres, which is like 160 football fields! Local farmers have special rights to let their animals graze here. This means about 900 sheep, 79 cattle, 30 geese, and three ponies can munch on the grass.
Ancient Discoveries at the Headland
People have found some very old tools at Cilan Head. These tools are blades that were used by nomadic hunters. These hunters lived during the Mesolithic period, which was thousands of years ago! Finding these tools tells us that people have been visiting and using this land for a very long time.
Wildlife Living on the Headland
Cilan Head is a fantastic place for birds to raise their young. Many different kinds of birds come here to nest. Cormorants are especially common. These are large, dark birds that are great at diving for fish. Besides birds, you can also find interesting insects here. Two types of beetles, the black minotaur beetle and the bright green tiger beetle, have been spotted living on the headland.
Rock Climbing Adventures
Cilan Head is well-known among people who love rock climbing. The cliffs here offer a challenging experience. The rock is made up of a mix of shale and grit bands. These different layers make the climbing routes unique and exciting. The climbing spots are near the old Ty’n Tywyn Quarries. Because of its challenging nature, Cilan Head is a popular spot for experienced climbers looking for an adventure.
