Bersham nr Wrexham
Woodland Trust wood group
Size:
33.47 ha (82.70 acres)
Grid reference:
SJ288501
Map reference:
Explorer 256
OS Landranger 117
One of our most popular Welsh sites, Plas Power Woods is a haven for botanists, wildlife lovers and history buffs alike. Explore a diverse selection of flora and fauna, a rich and intriguing history and the trails that lead you through the site. Spot wildlife as you go, with a chance to spot kingfishers darting along the river's edge.
Visit to experience a woodland coming back to life. We are slowly removing conifers from this ancient woodland site, allowing the light to return to the woodland floor and the native species to come back. Explore the maze, which tells the story of the woodland restoration, from the light-blocking conifers, to the healthy broadleaved woodland. This wood is a wonderful spot to visit all year round.
The combined sites of Plas Power Woods and Nant Mill Wood, which make up 42.3 hectares (104.6 acres), are situated in the Clywedog valley between Bersham and Coedpoeth, 2.5km (1.6 miles) west of Wrexham.
Nant Mill Wood is located adjacent to Wrexham County Council’s Nant Mill Visitor Centre. Plas Power Wood extends downstream from the centre.
From Wrexham, head west on the A525 and follow brown signs for Nant Mill Visitor Centre. Turn left onto Rhos Berse Road where you will find the Nant Mill Visitor Centre. There is a car park here, within walking distance of the woods.
The nearest post code is LL11 3BT. OS Grid REF: SJ289501.
The nearest train stations are Wrexham General, 5.1km (3.4 miles) from the woods and Wrexham Central, 5.5km (3.2 miles) away.
Visit National Rail for more information.
There are several bus stops along Coedpoeth High Street, approximately 1km (0.6 miles) from the wood.
Visit Travelin Cymru for more information.
Both woods can be accessed from the Nant Mill Visitor Centre car park. Either cross the footbridge and walk up the lane to an entrance which has a squeeze stile, or follow the surfaced path from the visitor centre grounds to a footbridge across the river with a flight of stone steps.
From the eastern entrance at Bersham there is a ramp across the side of the weir. Two other access points along the southern boundary have stiles and lead into the wider public footpath network. Paths can be muddy and slippery.
Parking is available at the Nant Mill Visitor Centre at a charge of £1 per day, with spaces for approximately 30 cars.
The toilets that are managed by volunteers at the Nant Mill Visitor Centre are currently closed. However, a separate disabled toilet which is accessible with a RADAR key remains open.
Plas Power Woods is home to a wealth of wildlife. Its rich variety of bird species, from the striking kingfisher to the chaffinch, ensures that bird-watchers will relish a trip to these woods. Keep a close eye out to catch a glimpse of the slinky polecat, or visit at night to look for the lesser horseshoe or pipistrelle bat hunting on the wing.
Look out for:
As the majority of the woodland is ancient, and with over 60 species of plant and over 50 species of fungi recorded, Plas Power Woods is brimming with a diverse selection of plant life.
The woods contain a variety of broadleaf tree species, along with some conifer, although these are progressively being thinned. Ground flora in the woods is rife: a mixture of bluebell, wood anemone, lords-and-ladies, snowdrop, honeysuckle and yellow archangel, to name a few, carpet the woodland floor, while weird and wonderful fungi can be found throughout the wood.
Look out for:
Plas Power Woods is a wonderful mixture of ancient and broadleaved woodland, glades with grassland, scrub and bracken, and areas of wet woodland which are rich in wildlife.
Explore:
The notorious King Offa, who was one of the most powerful Anglo-Saxons, ruled as the King of Mercia (East Midlands) from AD 757 until his death in July 796. Plas Power Woods has a strong connection with King Offa. A dyke was built there in his name in 785AD, and roughly follows the border of England and Wales. It is said to have run “sea to sea”, although little is known about why it was built. Some say it was a defensive structure, while others believe it was a boundary marker. Within Plas Power Woods you can see an impressive section of this 1,200-year-old dyke, along with a sculpture of King Offa created by chainsaw artist Simon O’Rourke in 2012.
Much of the woodland was once part of the Plas Power Park Estate, named after the Power family who owned it from 1620. The estate had a number of owners between 1690 and 1816, when it was taken over by the Fitzhugh family.
In 1858, work began to build a wall that would keep the public off the estate. This caused outcry from the local miners, who had enjoyed walking their dogs through the woods. Each night after the stone masons had gone home, local people would dismantle the section that had been built that day. Eventually, the estate owners used the Wrexham Militia to keep guard on the wall until it was finished. Nowadays, the sandstone wall is a Grade II-listed structure.
The woods contain many interesting archaeological features, including a weir, the ruins of two crofts, a miller’s house, an 18th-century tramway route, and Wilkinson’s waggonway, along which horses pulled wagons loaded with limestone for the blast furnaces of Bersham Ironworks.
This wood is one of more than 50 across the UK where it's possible to dedicate trees, benches or larger areas of woodland. Mark a special occasion or celebrate the life of a loved one with a meaningful gesture that lasts.
Choose a dedicationWith multiple waymarked trails, historical features, waterfalls and a variety of habitats to explore and wildlife to encounter, Plas Power Woods is a fantastic place to enjoy a walk.
1km/1 mile - this circular walk gives an insight into the vast and interesting history of the site. Perfect for a family walk.
It's graded as moderate on the path grading system.
2km/1.2 miles - this loop extends from the family trail over the stepping stones when the water is low enough. It takes you through the best of the bluebells in spring and fungi displays in autumn.
This walk is graded as strenuous on the path grading system.
9km/5.5 miles - a walk to stretch your legs and fill your lungs. Follow the trail to walk up the valley to Minera Lead Mines or down as far as King's Mill.
This walk is graded as moderate on the path grading system.
Visiting woods
Dogs are welcome for walkies in our woods. Take a look at our tips and guidelines for ensuring we keep our woods safe and special for dogs and wildlife.
Visiting woods
Discover events at our woods and the festivals and fairs you can find us at soon.
Visiting woods
Go on an adventure. Get closer to nature. Uncover history. Discover ways to explore the UK's woods whatever the season.
This wood is just one of many to have been protected by gifts in wills, securing it for generations to come. Your legacy gift could also make a real difference to woods, trees and wildlife.
Learn what your gift could mean
