Ogof Dydd Byraf facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Ogof Dydd Byraf |
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Cavers climbing the side of Minera quarry to reach the entrance
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| Location | Wrexham County Borough, Wales |
| OS grid | SJ 2546 5201 |
| Length | 750 metres (2,460 ft) |
| Elevation | 340 metres (1,120 ft) |
| Discovery | 1964 |
| Geology | Limestone |
| Access | contact North Wales Caving Club |
| Translation | cave of the shortest day |
| Registry | Cambrian Cave Registry |
Ogof Dydd Byraf is a cool cave found deep under Esclusham Mountain in north-east Wales. You can get into it from an opening in the side of the Minera Limeworks quarry. This cave was first found and explored in 1964 by a group called the Wrexham Caving Club. Later, they joined up with the North Wales Caving Club.
Exploring Ogof Dydd Byraf
When you first enter Ogof Dydd Byraf, you'll go through some short tunnels that were dug by miners a long time ago. After these tunnels, there's a narrow drop, about 10 meters (33 feet) deep, called a "pitch." This pitch leads you down into the main parts of the cave.
What's Inside the Cave?
The main parts of the cave are made up of many beautiful "galleries." These are like long, decorated rooms or passages. They are often covered with amazing cave formations, like stalactites and stalagmites. Some of the passages in Ogof Dydd Byraf get very close to another cave called Ogof Llyn Du. However, you can't easily get from one cave to the other because a deep, water-filled section, known as a "sump," blocks the way.
Protecting This Special Place
For many years, the cave was at risk because of the quarry operations happening nearby. But now, Ogof Dydd Byraf is safe! It has been officially protected as a SSSI. This means it's a very important place for nature and geology, and it's kept safe from harm. The cave is now owned by the North Wales Wildlife Trust, an organization that works to protect wildlife and special natural places in Wales.
