Friday 27 February 2026 - Erddig

Leaving Pen y Bont

Our route home from Pen y Bont took us past the National Trust's property at Erddig, near Wrexham. We were in no hurry, so we spent the morning there before continuing the short journey home (an hour or so from Erddig).

View from the bridge at Pen y Bont, towards the owner's farmhouse

On arrival at Erddig, we parked next to an out of season mistletoe tree.

I posed by some giant daffodils.

At the rear of the hall, workers were pleaching the lime trees.

Lungwort was in flower

A pond near the hall contained the usual mallard, coot and moorhen, black-headed gulls, etc.

In the Big Wood near the pond, someone has been busy sculping numerous apples out of old tree trunks.

Apparently some 180+ varieties of apples can be found here at their peak in October.

Sue found a gloomy spot for a picnic in today's overcast conditions, but this would be a fun place for youngsters in the summer.

Several glass houses have been rescued from disrepair by the National Trust, who were given the property when it was in desperate need of restoration.

We took a 5km stroll around the grounds, partly along the 'Wat's Dyke Way'.

The 'Cup and Saucer' dates from 1775, when it was built as a means of quickly lowering the brook, preventing erosion.

Nearby, a Hydraulic Ram pumped water up to the hall, with a capability of raising 10,000 gallons a day up to 90 feet. The engine's thud was known as the 'heart of Erddig'.

Back at the hall, a Rover Tourer from 1907, a rather dilapidated 1924 Austin, and a 1927 Austin that shows how motor car design had moved on in twenty years.

There's also a small collection of vintage bicycles.

Only the basement was open to visitors today. Before adjourning to the restaurant, Sue and I spent some time there. The walls are adorned with pictures of generations of loyal servants, who were well looked after by the Yorke family, who lived here for over 240 years.

 

Flower beds near the hall already have a display of cyclamen.

Before leaving by the side entrance to the left of the next picture (this was used as the main entrance for the butler's convenience), we took time out for a few photos of the hall, and the view from the front door. Hopefully more of the building will be open next time we visit.

Thursday 26 February 2026 - A Walk to Glyn Ceiriog

A short walk along the old tramway brings us to the quiet road after 3km, and to the community café in Glyn Ceiriog after a further 1.5km. We went there and back on a drizzly day. The café was most hospitable. We spent over an hour there, with drinks and excellent food and chocolate cake. 

Today I'll just post a few pictures from our walk that I'll annotate after we return home tomorrow and I've sorted out the picture gallery.

Here's the 9km route.

And a few of Sue's pictures. 

Wednesday 25 February 2026 - A Circuit from Llanarmon

A five minute drive from Pen y Bont saw us back in Llanarmon, from where we headed up the minor road to Pentre.

Sue captured the fresh blossom of a roadside shrub.

On reaching the end of the road at Swch-cae-rhiw, and attempt by locals to exclude trial bikes and 4x4 vehicles from the hill tracks. This  is mainly a weekend problem. We saw nobody today. It's a shame that an alternative walking route through fields has been blocked off by the local farmers.

Up at the farm, a collection of US forces vehicles - not in particularly good condition. 

We enjoyed good views back along the Ceiriog valley in the fine weather, before a persistent drizzle assumed command. 

Elevenses in the sunshine with striking views.

Sue and Paul went off with Rufus to explore some waterfalls.

Meanwhile, Jeanette and I viewed the waterfalls from afar.

Eventually we met up again.

Lunch in the rain, with music provided by a Mistle Thrush.

One for AlanR.

After a while we reached a familiar track near Bryn Du, from where we descended easily to Llanarmon.

Sue spotted some Fool's Liquorice on the way down.

Today's stats - 14km with 380 metres ascent, taking 5 hours, including a half hour wait for the waterfall contingent. Here's the route.