Coed Hafod y Llyn - Maentwrog

Site Description

Situated on ground sloping down to Llyn Mair, this old Estate woodland has a partly ornamental history, but was also coniferised in 1968/9. Scattered mature oaks remain and there is lichenological interest. Under Coed Cadw ownership conifers have been removed entirely or thinned throughout, allowing natural regeneration of birch especially to supplement the restocking with planted native broadleaves. A variety of specimen exotic trees were planted during coniferisation, to complement the over mature specimens present, and these are being retained selectively. Rhododendron ponticum has been removed comprehensively, but reinfection from external seed sources remains a problem. Rocky ridges, several small streams and gorges add habitat diversity.

Coed Hafod y Llyn is part of an extensively wooded locale, with National Nature Reserve and Snowdonia National Park woods adjacent, but remains relatively secluded. It is well-used in the tourist season, but is also an appreciated local amenity, with excellent internal tracks which also link to a network of walking routes on surrounding land which are promoted by way of a leaflet. Additional features of interest include a small Victorian ornamental pond near Llyn Mair and two Seats in The Woods (Miles legacy) projects (a stone seat with Japanese ambience near the pond and a naturalistic oak bench near one of the streams).

The key features of Coed Hafod y Llyn comprise:

- Informal public access;

- Replanted ancient woodland, now in restoration;

- Ornamental landscape features, including the pond and over mature specimen trees.