Desert of Wales facts for kids
The Desert of Wales is a big, wild area in the middle of Wales. People also call it the Green Desert of Wales. It got this name because there aren't many roads or towns there, and it's hard to reach. English writers made up the name in the 1800s. In the Welsh language, there isn't a similar name for it. This area is mostly the high land known as Elenydd in Welsh. Locals also call it the Cambrian Mountains.
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What is the Desert of Wales?
When we say "desert" here, we don't mean a hot, dry place like the Sahara. Instead, it means an area where very few people live. Think of a "desert island" – it's empty, not necessarily dry.
This part of Wales gets a lot of rain. Much of the land is covered in peat, which is like a spongy soil made of old plants. You'll also see purple moor grass and heather. Many areas have plantations of conifer trees that are not native to Wales. The soil in this region is often acidic.
Where is the Desert of Wales Located?
There isn't one exact border for the Desert of Wales. But we can describe its general edges. To the east, it's near the A470 and the town of Rhayader. To the south, it's bordered by the A483, running from Builth Wells to Llanwrda.
On the west side, you'll find the A482 from Llanwrda to Pumpsaint. From Pumpsaint, a series of smaller country roads go north towards Tregaron. The northern edge is usually thought to be the A44 between Ponterwyd and Llangurig. However, a large area of moorland north of this road, including reservoirs like Nant y Moch and Llyn Clywedog, looks very similar.
History of the Name
The name Desert of Wales has been used for a long time. As early as 1860, a writer named John Henry Cliffe described it. He wrote that the area was "one of the most untamed and desolate" places. He also said it was truly called the "great desert of Wales." He noted its "vast sweeping ranges of hills with round tops" and how empty it was.
It's still a quiet place today. You can travel on narrow roads, forestry tracks, footpaths, and bridleways. It has very few people living there. The landscape is mostly rolling hills, deep gorges, and steep valleys. You can also find ancient Welsh oak forests.
Ancient Buildings
The old ruins of Strata Florida Abbey are located on the road coming from Tregaron.
Wildlife in the Desert
This area was once home to the very last native red kites in the United Kingdom. In the 1980s, efforts were made to bring them back. Now, thanks to these programs, red kites are once again common and thriving across the UK.
See also
In Spanish: Desierto de Gales para niños
