Hafren Forest facts for kids
Hafren Forest is a large forest located in Mid Wales, not far from the old market town of Llanidloes. It's a popular spot for nature lovers and outdoor activities.
About Hafren Forest
This forest covers about 40 square kilometers (which is about 15.4 square miles!). It's mostly filled with pine and spruce trees. The forest gets its name from the Afon Hafren, which is the Welsh name for the River Severn. This famous river actually starts in a deep, wet peat bog just outside the forest's western edge. It begins high up on the slopes of Pumlumon, which is the tallest mountain in Mid Wales.
Forest History
Hafren Forest was first planted in 1937. Since then, it's always changing, with older trees being cut down and new ones planted. This helps keep the forest healthy and productive.
Interestingly, this area was also home to ancient mines from the Bronze Age. People used to dig for copper and lead here, long, long ago! Some of these old mine sites include "Nant yr Eira" and possibly "Nant yr Rickett."
When the forest was created, the land was bought from twelve sheep farms. One of these farms, "Rhyd y Benwch," is now a car park and picnic area where visitors can relax.
At first, there weren't enough places for all the forest workers to live nearby. So, in 1948, the Forestry Commission decided to build a special village just for them. They hired a famous architect, Thomas Alwyn Lloyd, to design a village with many houses, a shop, a school, and a hall. The first houses were built in 1949 and people started moving in by 1951. This village is called Llwyn-y-gog, and it got its water from a nearby stream.
Exploring the Forest Today
Today, Hafren Forest still provides timber, but it's also a wonderful place for wildlife and a big draw for tourism. You might even spot a red kite flying overhead, along with many other types of birds, plants, and animals.
There are lots of walking paths and bridleways (paths for horses) that are great for mountain biking and horse riding. Some popular walks include "The Source of The Severn," which takes you to where the river begins, "Severn Breaks its Neck," and "The Blaenhafren Falls."
The Wye Valley Walk, a long-distance walking trail, also finishes at Rhyd y Benwch in the forest.
A quarry in the forest is used by Aberystwyth University for special "explosion studies" as part of their scientific research. This quarry was also used by British Aerospace in the past.
Motor Sports in the Forest
Hafren Forest is a popular spot for many exciting motor sports events. It hosts motocross races, 4x4 championships, and rally events.
The forest is regularly used as a stage for the Wales Rally GB, a famous car rally. In 2013, the popular TV show Top Gear even filmed a segment here, with Kris Meeke driving a Bentley Continental through the forest stage.
