Pen y Coed - Llangollen

Site Description

Pen y Coed occupies a prominent steep-sided ridge (running roughly north-west to south-east) on the eastern side of Llangollen and is clearly visible from Llangollen,the Eglwyseg escarpment and the hills to the south The woodland also forms a backdrop to the adjacent residential developments. Adjoining the woodland is a neighbouring Woodland Trust property, The Avenue ( 4.7ha) which is designated as an SSSI for it’s grassland interest.

Much of the site, including all of the southern slopes, comprises ancient woodland. On the northern slopes there is evidence that some areas have experienced periods of clearance (including for agricultural use) though the woodland currently present is long-established and supports many species associated with ancient woodland sites. The majority of the site was replanted with conifers during the late 1950s/early1960s and supported dense stands of a wide variety of conifer species which were thinned in 2005/06. Within these areas of coniferous plantation there are frequent scattered broadleaved trees and patches dominated by broadleaves. Also, along the woodland margins, tracks and walls there are pockets of diverse ground flora including many species associated with ancient woodland. Areas of semi-natural woodland (including ancient semi-natural woodland) are also present, dominated by ash, sessile oak and/or sycamore with frequent wild cherry and silver birch.

The site is of particular amenity value due to its proximity to Llangollen and residential developments. The local public footpath network links it with The Avenue and forms a popular circular walk. Management access is available along three rights of way which cross neighbouring land, although none of these are suitable for larger vehicles associated with timber extraction.

Key features at the site are:

• the semi-natural/broadleaved woodland (including ancient semi-natural woodland) • planted coniferous woodland (including planted ancient woodland, PAWS) which has a high potential for restoration/conversion to native woodland;

• walls and revetments associated with historical trackways and former enclosures within the woodland, which are of particular archaeological and historical interest;

• informal public access Other features of interest include a number of other archaeological features such as charcoal hearths, quarries, gate posts and tracks.