Cymraeg
The valley of Cwm Mynach has a rich and varied past. Historical remnants from the valley’s past can still be seen today.
12,000 years ago: The story of this landscape beganduring the last ice age when large glaciers moved towards the sea taking with them rocks and boulders. The glacier would carve out a large valley also known as a ‘cwm’.
1198: Cymer Abbey was founded by the Cistercian Monks. Today, its remote ruins rest at the head of the Mawddach estuary, providing a telling insight into the austere life suffered by this order. The name Cwm Mynach means Monks’ Valley.
1886 (circa): A manganese mining industry was established. Traces of manganese ore today remain at the front of an incline.
1890: A silver gilt chalice from the Abbey was recovered, hidden on the mountainside at the dissolution of the monasteries.
1940: During World War ll, Anne Hill, the author of ‘Four Fields, Five Gates’, escaped to the valley of Cwm Mynach during the school holidays. In her book, she talks about her epic life of courage and survival and restoring the run down house in the valley during these explosive years. The book captures scenes of this beautiful and timeless landscape, much of which is still present today.
2009: The valley boasts breathtaking landscape and stunning views, but the glorious oak woodland has over the years become overshadowed by the relentless growth of the conifers.
2010: We plan to extend the native broadleaved woodland by gradually replacing non-native spruce and pine with oak, ash and hazel trees.
2022 and beyond: Over the next 12 years, the valley will become transformed by the introduction of native trees into an area of truly outstanding beauty.