Plas Power Woods

Plas Power and Nant Mill Woods comprise over 40 hectares of woodland, stretching over 2km along the River Clywedog between Coedpoeth and Bersham, Wrexham: Nant Mill Woods lie upstream of Nant Mill itself, Plas Power Woods downstream. Several small tributary streams flow through Nant Mill Woods to the Clywedog.

Together, Plas Power and Nant Mill Woods comprise the largest and least fragmented area of ancient woodland in the Clywedog valley. The vast majority of the woodland is ancient, although much has been replanted with conifers and, locally, with broadleaves, particularly beech and sycamore. The Woodland Trust has undertaken a programme of thinning at the siteas part of a programme of gradual PAWS restoration. Invasive Rhododendron was also once abundant and dense throughout the site, however, its distribution and abundance are now limited after some years of control. Much of the woodland was once part of the Plas Power Park estate.

As well as semi-natural broadleaved woodland, the site supports pockets of grassland, scrub and bracken; these glades have both biodiversity and amenity value.

The wood contains a number of features of historical interest. A section of Offa's Dyke runs across the Clywedog Valley through Plas Power Woods. It is particularly impressive at this point and designated a Scheduled Ancient Monument. Several Listed features are also present: these include Plas Power Park wall, an ornate cast iron Victorian bridge and railings and the recently restored Western Weir (probably constructed around 1750 and still a popular place for local people to meet in summer), with other Listed structures located at the site margins just outside Trust ownership (eg: Nant Bridge, Bersham Lodge, Caeau Weir). The area was also once a hive of industrial activity: other features of historical interest at the site include an 18th century tramway route, ruins of two crofts and a miller's house. The site is also adjacent to the Bersham Ironworks, now a heritage centre.

One of The Woodland Trust's most popular sites in Wales, with an estimated 27,000 visit per annum, the woodland offers significant opportunity for walking and quiet informal recreation. Although there are only two short sections of public footpath, there is extensive pedestrian permissive access throughout the site including part of the Clywedog Trail. This is a nine mile long footpath through the Clywedog Valley which links features of industrial/archaeological/historical interest and is promoted by the local authority. Parking and picnic facilities are available at the adjacent Nant Mill Visitor Centre which has developed a number of local self-guided walks, one of which is based on Plas Power Wood. Horse-riding and cycling are permitted along one path to the south of the river.

Management access for the area of woodland to the north of the river and Cpt 1a is via rights of way across neighbouring property. For the remainder of the site access is available directly off the public highway.

Key features of Plas Power and Nant Mill Woods are:

Ancient Semi-Natural Woodland (ASNW)
Plantation on Ancient Woodland Site (PAWS)
Semi-Natural Open Ground Habitats (Species-rich grassland)
Historical features Informal Public Access