Ruabon Moors facts for kids
Ruabon Moors are a large area of open, wild land in Wales. They are found west of the towns of Ruabon and Wrexham. This special area stretches across parts of both Wrexham county borough and Denbighshire.
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Exploring Ruabon Moors
The Ruabon Moors are made up of several mountains. In the northern part, you'll find Minera Mountain and Esclusham Mountain. Further south are Ruabon Mountain and Eglwyseg Mountain. The highest point on the moors is called Cyrn-y-Brain. It stands tall at 565 metres (1,854 ft) above the sea.
Where are the Moors Located?
To the north and north-east, the moors are bordered by the old Minera Limeworks and the beautiful Clywedog valley. On the eastern side, the land gently slopes down towards the villages of Rhosllannerchrugog and Ruabon. You can find several small lakes, called reservoirs, in this area.
At the southern edge of the moors, there are tall cliffs known as Eglwyseg Rocks. These cliffs look out over the River Dee and the lovely Vale of Llangollen. On the western side, you'll see more cliffs at World's End. The Horseshoe Pass is a mountain road that separates the moors from Llantysilio Mountain. A large forest of conifer trees, called Llandegla Forest, covers the north-western part of the moors.
Wildlife and Nature on the Moors
The Ruabon Moors are a very important natural area. They are part of a Site of Special Scientific Interest, which means they are protected for their unique plants and animals.
Plants of the Moors
Large parts of the moors are covered with heather. This plant creates a beautiful purple carpet when it blooms. In places where limestone rocks stick out of the ground, you can find some rare plants. These include prickly sedge, dark red helleborine, and rigid buckler-fern.
Birds of the Moors
The moors are a home for many different birds. They are managed to help red grouse thrive. In the past, many red grouse were hunted here, but their numbers are much lower now. The area is also home to black grouse. A special conservation program has helped their population grow in recent years.
Other amazing birds you might spot on the moors include:
- peregrine falcon - a very fast hunter
- merlin - a small falcon
- hen harrier - a bird of prey that flies low over the ground
- short-eared owl - an owl that hunts during the day
- ring ouzel - a type of thrush with a white ring on its chest
History of Ruabon Moors
People have been living and working on the Ruabon Moors for a very long time. They have changed the land since prehistoric times.
Ancient History and Mining
In ancient times, people built stone piles called cairns and cleared away the original forests. Mining has been an important activity here since Roman times. Even today, you can see many old, unused mine shafts scattered across the area. These mines once dug for lead, zinc, silver, and coal.
World War II Impact
During the Second World War, German planes sometimes dropped bombs on the moors. These planes were flying to and from Liverpool. You can still see some of the bomb craters on the moors today.
Activities on the Moors
The Ruabon Moors are a popular place for outdoor activities. Many people enjoy walking and rock-climbing here. The famous Offa's Dyke Path, a long-distance walking trail, also crosses through this region.
