Ynyslas facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Ynyslas |
|
|---|---|
 Ynyslas Sand Dunes, June 2008 |
|
 Ynyslas
|
|
| OS grid reference | SN608894 |
| Principal area | |
| Ceremonial county | |
| Country | Wales |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | BORTH |
| Postcode district | SY24 |
| Dialling code | 01970 |
| Police | Dyfed-Powys |
| Fire | Mid and West Wales |
| Ambulance | Welsh |
| EU Parliament | Wales |
| UK Parliament |
|
| Welsh Assembly |
|
Ynyslas (Welsh for 'Green Island'; Welsh pronunciation: [ənɪsˈlas]) is a small village in Ceredigion, Wales. It's about 1.5 miles north of Borth and 8 miles north of Aberystwyth. Ynyslas is special because it sits between a long sandy beach on Cardigan Bay and the beach of the Dyfi Estuary.
The land between the sea and the estuary is home to the Ynyslas Sand Dunes. These dunes are part of the Dyfi National Nature Reserve. This reserve is a protected area where many rare plants and animals live. You can even drive onto the estuary beach and park your car there. The nature reserve has a visitor centre with toilets and a small shop. You might have seen Ynyslas on TV! Some BBC 1 programmes show people flying kites on these very sand dunes.
The northern end of the Ceredigion Coast Path also reaches the Dyfi Estuary National Nature Reserve at Ynyslas. This path is great for walking and exploring the coastline.
Contents
Nature and Wildlife at Ynyslas
The Dyfi National Nature Reserve and the Ynyslas Sand Dunes are very important for nature. They are located where the Afon Leri river meets the Dyfi Estuary at Ynyslas. East of the Afon Leri, you'll find Cors Fochno, which is a large peat bog.
The Ancient Submerged Forest
One of the most amazing things to see at Ynyslas is the ancient submerged forest. When the tide is very low, you can see the remains of tree stumps on the beach. These stumps are from oak, pine, birch, willow, and hazel trees. They are petrified, meaning they have turned into a stone-like material over thousands of years. This forest was once on dry land, but the sea level rose and covered it.
Ynyslas and the Railway
Ynyslas had a railway station a long time ago. It opened in 1867 as part of the Cambrian Railways. The station had special tracks called sidings. These sidings were used to serve the wharves (docks) along the river.
In the 1890s, there were plans for a narrow-gauge railway called the Plynlimon and Hafan Tramway. This line was supposed to connect to the wharves in Ynyslas, but it was never built. The Ynyslas railway station eventually closed on June 14, 1965.
Fun Things to Do at Ynyslas
Even though it's a small village, there are a few activities you can enjoy in and around Ynyslas.
- Boating: The Borth Rowing Club keeps its boats at the Ynyslas Boatyard. They launch their boats from here onto the Afon Leri river.
- Golf: If you like golf, the Borth & Ynyslas Golf Club has an 18-hole links course. This course stretches all the way from Borth to Ynyslas.
- Beach Cricket: Ynyslas was once the home of the Aberystwyth Beach Cricket Society. They played their games on the sand, calling it the "Ynyslas Oval."
Important Safety Note
It's very important to know that swimming is not allowed at Ynyslas. This applies to both the sea and the estuary. The currents in the water here are very strong and can be dangerous. It's best to enjoy the beach from the sand!
