Clocaenog Forest facts for kids
The Clocaenog Forest is a large forest located in Wales. It stretches across parts of west Denbighshire and east Conwy. The forest gets its name from the small village of Clocaenog, which is close to Ruthin. It's a great place to explore nature and see wildlife!
Discovering Clocaenog Forest
Clocaenog Forest covers a huge area, about 40 square miles (100 km²). Most of the trees here are conifers, which are trees like pines and spruces that stay green all year round. These trees were first planted in 1905 on what used to be open moorland and many hill farms.
This forest is a highland area, meaning it's mostly above 350 metres (about 1,150 feet) high. It has seen some very tough winters. For example, in 1946/47, there was over 150 cm (nearly 5 feet) of snow on the ground in a nearby village! Another very cold winter happened in 1962/63.
One of the most special things about Clocaenog Forest is that it's one of the last places in mainland Wales where you can find red squirrels. These cute creatures are quite rare, so the forest is an important home for them.
Exploring the Forest's Landscape and Wildlife
The forest has some high spots that rise above the trees. From these points, you can enjoy amazing views! You might see Snowdonia and Arenig Fawr to the west, the Berwyn Range to the south, and the Clwydian Range to the east. The highest point in the forest is called 'The Mast' at Craig Bron Bannog, which is 501 metres (1,644 feet) high.
Clocaenog Forest is full of interesting wildlife. Many birds live here, including the crossbill, which has a special beak perfect for eating seeds from conifer cones. People have even built nesting platforms high up in bare trees to help these birds.
You can also find an enclosed area where wild horses live. These are Przewalski's Horses, a rare type of wild horse. It's a unique chance to see them up close!
Besides animals, the forest also holds secrets from the past. There are several ancient remains, like old stone circles and a special site called the 'credstone', which was once used for worship a long, long time ago.
Many streams flow through the forest, including the very beginning of the River Clwyd. Also, a large lake called Llyn Brenig is located on the western side of the forest.
Wind Power in Clocaenog Forest
In 2005, a wind farm was built in Clocaenog Forest. A wind farm is a group of large wind turbines that use wind to create electricity. This first wind farm had 25 turbines, split into three groups: Tir Mostyn (8 turbines), Foel Goch (7 turbines), and Marial Gwyn (10 turbines). There are plans to build even more wind turbines in the future.
More recently, in 2019, new parts for the Clocaenog Forest Wind Farm started arriving. These parts were for 27 new turbines. Huge pieces, like tower sections, were brought from Ellesmere Port to the forest. Deliveries took about six months, with a total of 270 large components being moved. The last three tower sections arrived on July 26, 2019.
