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## Action
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HTMLText_261E413A_7BDD_A5DE_41B6_36D44B1FAD7E.html = About Brynau woodland
Brynau is a place where new woodland, restored habitats, and careful grazing are bringing nature back to life.
Volunteers, researchers, and local partners work together here to support wildlife, improve the landscape, and explore how nature can help tackle challenges like flooding. Art and community stories are part of the landscape too, celebrating the connection between people and place.
This digital trail invites you to explore at your own pace and discover more about Brynau’s wildlife, history, and ongoing restoration.
Brynau’s mysterious bee gardens
For years, these enclosures were thought to be Roman training grounds. Now, archaeologists believe they’re not quite so ancient, yet still older than the field boundaries we see today.
Their true story is still unfolding.One intriguing idea is that these were once “bee gardens”—sheltered spaces where beekeepers tended hives in the warmth of the sun. Similar earthworks in the New Forest suggest a tradition of keeping bees long before modern hives, providing precious honey, wax, and the pollination that sustains so much wild life.
Their true purpose remains uncertain—but they offer a glimpse into the practical, resourceful lives of past land users.
Parsons folly
In the late 1830s, Robert Parsons and Charles Strange burst onto the local scene with grand plans to establish a major coal-mining enterprise.
They began constructing the Glyncorrwg Mineral Railway, a spectacularly engineered line intended to carry coal from the Pelenna and Cregan valleys to the Neath Canal at Aberdulais.
Despite their vision and the impressive engineering works — including steep inclines, embankments, and a deep rock cutting through the summit of Cefn Morfudd — their funds were soon exhausted, and the project was never completed as intended. Just below the summit, not far from the line, stands the Ivy Tower, an architectural folly built in 1795 by Molly Mackworth, then owner of the Gnoll Estate. When Parsons’ railway cutting dramatically scarred the crest of Cefn Morfudd, observers remarked that he had left his own mark on the landscape, much as Mackworth had done decades earlier.
The tower became known as Mackworth’s Folly, and his cutting as Parsons’ Folly — twin symbols of human ambition, one romantic and the other industrial, both etched into the hills above Neath.
Peatlands
Peatlands are among our most valuable natural landscapes — they lock away vast amounts of carbon, support rare and specialised wildlife, and help regulate water flow to reduce flooding and improve water quality.
By restoring these degraded areas, we’re helping to tackle climate change, boost biodiversity, and protect an important part of Wales’ natural heritage.
Through the partnership with Lost Peatlands Project, we’re contributing to a healthier, more resilient landscape for people and nature alike.
Phoenix oak
A phoenix tree is nature’s symbol of resilience — a tree that has fallen, fractured, or hollowed with age, yet found new life by growing again from its own wood.
You can spot one by its unusual form: fresh shoots rising from a fallen trunk or new branches bursting from a hollow heart. These living survivors are rich havens for wildlife, nurturing fungi, insects, birds, and bats alike.
The Phoenix Oak at Brynau reminds us that even in decay, nature finds a way to flourish — a living celebration of renewal and hope.
Phoenix oak
A phoenix tree is nature’s symbol of resilience — a tree that has fallen, fractured, or hollowed with age, yet found new life by growing again from its own wood.
You can spot one by its unusual form: fresh shoots rising from a fallen trunk or new branches bursting from a hollow heart. These living survivors are rich havens for wildlife, nurturing fungi, insects, birds, and bats alike.
The Phoenix Oak at Brynau reminds us that even in decay, nature finds a way to flourish — a living celebration of renewal and hope.
The National Lottery Heritage Fund
About The National Lottery Heritage Fund
Our vision is for heritage to be valued, cared for and sustained for everyone, now and in the future. That’s why as the largest funder for the UK’s heritage we are dedicated to supporting projects that connect people and communities to heritage, as set out in our strategic plan, Heritage 2033. Heritage can be anything from the past that people value and want to pass on to future generations. We believe in the power of heritage to ignite the imagination, offer joy and inspiration, and to build pride in place and connection to the past.
Over the next 10 years, we aim to invest £3.6billion raised for good causes by National Lottery players to make a decisive difference for people, places and communities.
Ancient woodland at Brynau Farm
Nestled within Brynau Farm is a fragment of ancient woodland—a rare and precious habitat that has stood for centuries.
These long-established woods are rich in biodiversity, supporting everything from delicate fungi and invertebrates to birds and mammals that rely on stable, undisturbed ecosystems.
In recent years, our dedicated volunteers have played a vital role in restoring this special area, clearing invasive species like rhododendron to help native plants and wildlife thrive once more.
This ancient woodland not only connects us to the past—it also inspires the future, guiding how new woodlands planted across the site might one day flourish.
Art at Brynau Farm
Art and nature come together at Brynau Farm in powerful and inspiring ways.
Young artists contribute to a dedicated mural space, sharing their own creative interpretations of the landscape, wildlife, and stories rooted in this special place.
Close by, the site also features striking sculptural works by renowned artist Paul Clarke, whose pieces blend environmental storytelling with bold design.
Most notably, an impressive 11-metre barn owl sculpture watches over the land—an homage both to the barn owls that nest here and to the Welsh myth of Blodeuwedd, the woman made from flowers who is transformed into an owl.
These artworks connect past and present, myth and habitat, inviting visitors to see Brynau through fresh eyes.
Blodeuwedd owl sculpture
Standing proudly above the new woodland at Brynau, Paul Clarke’s magnificent 11-metre barn owl sculpture captures both the spirit of the landscape and the stories rooted within it.
Created from Brynau’s own oak, with a Welsh slate tail and a beautifully tactile brass face, the owl watches over the young trees below — a guardian of renewal and place.
Inspired by the resident barn owls that hunt across the estate and the legend of Blodeuwedd from the Mabinogi, the sculpture weaves together nature, myth, and craft.
This short film reveals the making of this extraordinary piece — a celebration of Welsh heritage, woodland creation, and the deep connections between people and the land.
Brynau Farm yard
At Brynau, the rhythm of the seasons keep the estate alive and thriving.
The beautifully restored old farm buildings now serve as the beating heart of our work — a hub for our dedicated volunteers and staff as they care for the land, its trees, and its wildlife.
From habitat restoration to path maintenance, every season brings new tasks and teamwork. While the yard itself isn’t open to visitors — with ongoing conservation work and heavy machinery making it a busy, working space — its purpose is clear: to support the continued care and renewal of this special landscape for nature and for future generations.
Coed Hebog
Coed Hebog is a pocket of woodland planted by the local community in 2025, with funding from Lloyds.
Drawing on historic maps, this new woodland parcel is named Coed Hebog, which means ‘Hawk Wood’—a fitting name given the birds of prey and rich wildlife that inhabit the area.
Coed Hebog will serve as an important buffer, protecting the ancient woodland nearby while expanding habitat and helping to connect the wider landscape for wildlife and people alike.
Conservation grazing at Brynau
At Brynau Farm, conservation grazing is a key part of managing the landscape.
Welsh White cattle—a traditional breed native to Wales with a history dating back hundreds of years—are carefully introduced to graze selectively.
Their grazing helps maintain a healthy balance between grassland, scrub, and woodland by preventing any one habitat from taking over. This encourages wildflowers, insects, and other wildlife to thrive. Well adapted to the local environment, Welsh White cattle work in harmony with nature to support the health and biodiversity of these special sites.
Habitat creation
Brynau Farm is now home to a growing new woodland—part of a long-term vision to restore nature and address the climate and biodiversity crises.
Thousands of young native trees have been planted across the landscape, creating vital new habitats for wildlife and linking up existing woodland areas. Many of these trees have been planted through the Plant! scheme, which celebrates every child born or adopted in Wales with a tree—creating a lasting connection between people and the natural world.
As part of our commitment to sustainability, Brynau is also a trial site for plastic-free tree guards, supporting our plastic pledge and helping to reduce pollution while protecting young trees.
As these pockets of woodland matures, it will support a richer, more resilient ecosystem—storing carbon, improving soil, and providing food and shelter for countless species. It’s a landscape shaped by care, community, and a vision for a greener future.
These artworks connect past and present, myth and habitat, inviting visitors to see Brynau through fresh eyes.
Orchard and wildlife ponds at Brynau Farm
At Brynau Farm, volunteers have helped bring new life to the landscape by planting a traditional orchard and creating wildlife ponds.
The orchard, filled with native fruit trees, provides food and habitat for a variety of birds, insects, and mammals. Nearby, carefully designed ponds attract frogs, dragonflies, and other aquatic life, enriching the farm’s biodiversity.
These volunteer-led projects celebrate community spirit and show how people can work together to nurture nature and build a thriving, diverse environment.
Owl cam inside the barn owl box
This footage offers a rare glimpse into the hidden world of Brynau Farm’s resident barn owls.
Nesting in specially placed boxes, these iconic birds are part of the rich web of life supported by the new woodland habitat here.
As dusk falls, our barn owls take to the skies, hunting for small mammals that now thrive among the trees, grassland, and hedgerows. Their presence is a sign that the land is flourishing and teeming with the life it was always meant to hold.
Parsons folly
In the late 1830s, Robert Parsons and Charles Strange burst onto the local scene with grand plans to establish a major coal-mining enterprise.
They began constructing the Glyncorrwg Mineral Railway, a spectacularly engineered line intended to carry coal from the Pelenna and Cregan valleys to the Neath Canal at Aberdulais.
Despite their vision and the impressive engineering works — including steep inclines, embankments, and a deep rock cutting through the summit of Cefn Morfudd — their funds were soon exhausted, and the project was never completed as intended. Just below the summit, not far from the line, stands the Ivy Tower, an architectural folly built in 1795 by Molly Mackworth, then owner of the Gnoll Estate. When Parsons’ railway cutting dramatically scarred the crest of Cefn Morfudd, observers remarked that he had left his own mark on the landscape, much as Mackworth had done decades earlier.
The tower became known as Mackworth’s Folly, and his cutting as Parsons’ Folly — twin symbols of human ambition, one romantic and the other industrial, both etched into the hills above Neath.
Welcome to Brynau
A living landscape where nature, culture and community grow together.
Here, new native woodlands are taking root, creating space for wildlife to return and for people to connect with the land.
Volunteers care for this special place—restoring ancient woods, clearing invasive plants, and planting orchards and ponds alive with birdsong and buzzing life.
Welsh White Cattle graze the open grasslands, keeping habitats in balance and helping wildflowers to flourish.
Brynau is also a place of learning and discovery. Researchers from Aberystwyth University are studying how these growing woods can help slow the flow of water and ease the risk of flooding—showing how nature can offer real solutions.
Art and stories weave through the landscape too. Paul Clarke’s striking barn owl sculpture celebrates the wildlife that calls Brynau home, and the people who nurture it.
Brynau is more than a woodland in the making—it’s a celebration of how people and nature can thrive side by side, shaping a wilder, greener future together.
Windrush Grove (Preswylfa)
Windrush Grove, is a newly planted pocket of woodland on the Preswylfa fields at Brynau, created by and in celebration of the Windrush Elders.
This special space honours their legacy and contribution to Welsh and British life, while also offering a peaceful, living connection to the land. As the trees grow, Wind Rush Grove will stand as a symbol of resilience, community, and belonging—rooted in both nature and shared history.
About Brynau woodland
Brynau is a place where new woodland, restored habitats, and careful grazing are bringing nature back to life.
Volunteers, researchers, and local partners work together here to support wildlife, improve the landscape, and explore how nature can help tackle challenges like flooding. Art and community stories are part of the landscape too, celebrating the connection between people and place.
This digital trail invites you to explore at your own pace and discover more about Brynau’s wildlife, history, and ongoing restoration.
Ancient woodland at Brynau Farm
Nestled within Brynau Farm is a fragment of ancient woodland—a rare and precious habitat that has stood for centuries.
These long-established woods are rich in biodiversity, supporting everything from delicate fungi and invertebrates to birds and mammals that rely on stable, undisturbed ecosystems.
Inspired by the resident barn owls that hunt across the estate and the legend of Blodeuwedd from the Mabinogi, the sculpture weaves together nature, myth, and craft.
In recent years, our dedicated volunteers have played a vital role in restoring this special area, clearing invasive species like rhododendron to help native plants and wildlife thrive once more.
This ancient woodland not only connects us to the past—it also inspires the future, guiding how new woodlands planted across the site might one day flourish.
Art at Brynau Farm
Art and nature come together at Brynau Farm in powerful and inspiring ways.
Young artists contribute to a dedicated mural space, sharing their own creative interpretations of the landscape, wildlife, and stories rooted in this special place.
Close by, the site also features striking sculptural works by renowned artist Paul Clarke, whose pieces blend environmental storytelling with bold design. Most notably, an impressive 11-metre barn owl sculpture watches over the land—an homage both to the barn owls that nest here and to the Welsh myth of Blodeuwedd, the woman made from flowers who is transformed into an owl.
These artworks connect past and present, myth and habitat, inviting visitors to see Brynau through fresh eyes.
Blodeuwedd owl sculpture
Standing proudly above the new woodland at Brynau, Paul Clarke’s magnificent 11-metre barn owl sculpture captures both the spirit of the landscape and the stories rooted within it.
Created from Brynau’s own oak, with a Welsh slate tail and a beautifully tactile brass face, the owl watches over the young trees below — a guardian of renewal and place.
Inspired by the resident barn owls that hunt across the estate and the legend of Blodeuwedd from the Mabinogi, the sculpture weaves together nature, myth, and craft.
This short film reveals the making of this extraordinary piece — a celebration of Welsh heritage, woodland creation, and the deep connections between people and the land.
Brynau farm yard
At Brynau, the rhythm of the seasons keep the estate alive and thriving.
The beautifully restored old farm buildings now serve as the beating heart of our work — a hub for our dedicated volunteers and staff as they care for the land, its trees, and its wildlife.
From habitat restoration to path maintenance, every season brings new tasks and teamwork. While the yard itself isn’t open to visitors — with ongoing conservation work and heavy machinery making it a busy, working space — its purpose is clear: to support the continued care and renewal of this special landscape for nature and for future generations.
Brynau’s mysterious bee gardens
Scattered across this gentle, west-facing slope lie 3 quiet shapes in the land—square earthworks that whisper of lives once lived close to nature.
For years, these enclosures were thought to be Roman training grounds. Now, archaeologists believe they’re not quite so ancient, yet still older than the field boundaries we see today.
Their true story is still unfolding. One intriguing idea is that these were once “bee gardens”—sheltered spaces where beekeepers tended hives in the warmth of the sun. Similar earthworks in the New Forest suggest a tradition of keeping bees long before modern hives, providing precious honey, wax, and the pollination that sustains so much wild life.
Their true purpose remains uncertain—but they offer a glimpse into the practical, resourceful lives of past land users.
Coed Hebog
Coed Hebog is a pocket of woodland planted by the local community in 2025, with funding from Lloyds.
Drawing on historic maps, this new woodland parcel is named Coed Hebog, which means ‘Hawk Wood’—a fitting name given the birds of prey and rich wildlife that inhabit the area.
Coed Hebog will serve as an important buffer, protecting the ancient woodland nearby while expanding habitat and helping to connect the wider landscape for wildlife and people alike.
Conservation grazing at Brynau
At Brynau Farm, conservation grazing is a key part of managing the landscape.
Welsh White cattle—a traditional breed native to Wales with a history dating back hundreds of years—are carefully introduced to graze selectively.
Their grazing helps maintain a healthy balance between grassland, scrub, and woodland by preventing any one habitat from taking over. This encourages wildflowers, insects, and other wildlife to thrive. Well adapted to the local environment, Welsh White cattle work in harmony with nature to support the health and biodiversity of these special sites.
Habitat creation
Brynau Farm is now home to a growing new woodland—part of a long-term vision to restore nature and address the climate and biodiversity crises.
Thousands of young native trees have been planted across the landscape, creating vital new habitats for wildlife and linking up existing woodland areas. Many of these trees have been planted through the Plant! scheme, which celebrates every child born or adopted in Wales with a tree—creating a lasting connection between people and the natural world.
As part of our commitment to sustainability, Brynau is also a trial site for plastic-free tree guards, supporting our plastic pledge and helping to reduce pollution while protecting young trees.
As these pockets of woodland matures, it will support a richer, more resilient ecosystem—storing carbon, improving soil, and providing food and shelter for countless species. It’s a landscape shaped by care, community, and a vision for a greener future.
Orchard and wildlife ponds at Brynau Farm
At Brynau Farm, volunteers have helped bring new life to the landscape by planting a traditional orchard and creating wildlife ponds.
The orchard, filled with native fruit trees, provides food and habitat for a variety of birds, insects, and mammals. Nearby, carefully designed ponds attract frogs, dragonflies, and other aquatic life, enriching the farm’s biodiversity.
These volunteer-led projects celebrate community spirit and show how people can work together to nurture nature and build a thriving, diverse environment.
Owl cam inside the barn owl box
This footage offers a rare glimpse into the hidden world of Brynau Farm’s resident barn owls.
Nesting in specially placed boxes, these iconic birds are part of the rich web of life supported by the new woodland habitat here.
As dusk falls, our barn owls take to the skies, hunting for small mammals that now thrive among the trees, grassland, and hedgerows. Their presence is a sign that the land is flourishing and teeming with the life it was always meant to hold.
Parsons folly
In the late 1830s, Robert Parsons and Charles Strange burst onto the local scene with grand plans to establish a major coal-mining enterprise.
They began constructing the Glyncorrwg Mineral Railway, a spectacularly engineered line intended to carry coal from the Pelenna and Cregan valleys to the Neath Canal at Aberdulais.
Despite their vision and the impressive engineering works — including steep inclines, embankments, and a deep rock cutting through the summit of Cefn Morfudd — their funds were soon exhausted, and the project was never completed as intended. Just below the summit, not far from the line, stands the Ivy Tower, an architectural folly built in 1795 by Molly Mackworth, then owner of the Gnoll Estate. When Parsons’ railway cutting dramatically scarred the crest of Cefn Morfudd, observers remarked that he had left his own mark on the landscape, much as Mackworth had done decades earlier.
The tower became known as Mackworth’s Folly, and his cutting as Parsons’ Folly — twin symbols of human ambition, one romantic and the other industrial, both etched into the hills above Neath.
Peatlands
Peatlands are among our most valuable natural landscapes — they lock away vast amounts of carbon, support rare and specialised wildlife, and help regulate water flow to reduce flooding and improve water quality.
By restoring these degraded areas, we’re helping to tackle climate change, boost biodiversity, and protect an important part of Wales’ natural heritage.
Through the partnership with Lost Peatlands Project, we’re contributing to a healthier, more resilient landscape for people and nature alike.
Phoenix oak
A phoenix tree is nature’s symbol of resilience — a tree that has fallen, fractured, or hollowed with age, yet found new life by growing again from its own wood.
You can spot one by its unusual form: fresh shoots rising from a fallen trunk or new branches bursting from a hollow heart. These living survivors are rich havens for wildlife, nurturing fungi, insects, birds, and bats alike.
The Phoenix oak at Brynau reminds us that even in decay, nature finds a way to flourish — a living celebration of renewal and hope.
The National Lottery Heritage Fund
About The National Lottery Heritage Fund
Our vision is for heritage to be valued, cared for and sustained for everyone, now and in the future. That’s why as the largest funder for the UK’s heritage we are dedicated to supporting projects that connect people and communities to heritage, as set out in our strategic plan, Heritage 2033. Heritage can be anything from the past that people value and want to pass on to future generations. We believe in the power of heritage to ignite the imagination, offer joy and inspiration, and to build pride in place and connection to the past.
Over the next 10 years, we aim to invest £3.6billion raised for good causes by National Lottery players to make a decisive difference for people, places and communities.
Welcome to Brynau
A living landscape where nature, culture and community grow together.
Here, new native woodlands are taking root, creating space for wildlife to return and for people to connect with the land.
Volunteers care for this special place—restoring ancient woods, clearing invasive plants, and planting orchards and ponds alive with birdsong and buzzing life.
Welsh White Cattle graze the open grasslands, keeping habitats in balance and helping wildflowers to flourish.
Brynau is also a place of learning and discovery. Researchers from Aberystwyth University are studying how these growing woods can help slow the flow of water and ease the risk of flooding—showing how nature can offer real solutions.
Art and stories weave through the landscape too. Paul Clarke’s striking barn owl sculpture celebrates the wildlife that calls Brynau home, and the people who nurture it.
Brynau is more than a woodland in the making—it’s a celebration of how people and nature can thrive side by side, shaping a wilder, greener future together.
Windrush Grove (Preswylfa)
Windrush Grove, is a newly planted pocket of woodland on the Preswylfa fields at Brynau, created by and in celebration of the Windrush Elders.
This special space honours their legacy and contribution to Welsh and British life, while also offering a peaceful, living connection to the land. As the trees grow, Wind Rush Grove will stand as a symbol of resilience, community, and belonging—rooted in both nature and shared history.
About Coed Felenrhyd & Llennyrch
Preserving and enhancing natural and cultural heritage
The expanse of Coed Felenrhyd & Llennyrch stretches from the rugged Rhinog mountains of Eryri (Snowdonia) to the tidal limits of the Irish Sea.
It is a unique landscape where conservation meets farming, preserving traditional agricultural practices while increasing tree cover. Light woodland grazing delivers optimal conditions for rare mosses, lichens and liverworts found only in rainforest conditions. With steep ravines, undulating paths, rugged moorland and rushing streams, let us transport you to secret corners of this remote landscape few people have experienced.
This tour will unveil more about our work, help you plan your visit or simply provide a place to immerse yourself in the sights and sounds of Wales’ precious rainforest. The tabs in the toolbar will guide you.
To delve deeper into the history, ecology and management of rainforests or to learn how we support landowners, visit The Woodland Trust website. For more information and guides about protecting our rainforests in Wales, visit the Celtic Rainforest Wales website.
Inspired by the tour? Help protect our woodland heritage by recording ancient trees, volunteering with us or donating towards our future work.
This tour has been made possible through the Nature Networks Fund which has been delivered by the Heritage Fund, on behalf of the Welsh Government. Our thanks go to our staff and Historic Research Volunteers, David Crowley and Brian Palmer, for their support in uncovering the history of Llennyrch Farm.
Photographs in our gallery were taken by: Rory Francis, Phillip Formby, Ben Lee, Jordan Mansfield, Jonathan Need and Ben Porter. Films were produced by Phillip Formby and Culture Colony.
Photo: Lush rainforest trees, ferns, mosses and lichens surrounding rock pools of water - Phillip Formby / WTML