Alyn Valley Woods and Alyn Gorge Caves

Alyn Valley Woods and Alyn Gorge Caves is a Site of Special Scientific Interest[1] on the border of Flintshire and Denbighshire in north Wales. Most of the site is also designated as the Alyn Valley Woods Special Area of Conservation[2] and the southern part includes Loggerheads Country Park. The SSSI has an area of 190.3 hectares while the SAC covers 168.3 hectares.[1][2]

Alyn Valley Woods and Alyn Gorge Caves
Site of Special Scientific Interest
Devil's Gorge
Alyn Valley Woods and Alyn Gorge Caves is located in Wales
Alyn Valley Woods and Alyn Gorge Caves
Location within Wales
LocationClwyd
Grid referenceSJ1800864866
Coordinates53°10′28″N 3°13′41″W / 53.174561°N 3.2281478°W / 53.174561; -3.2281478
InterestBiological and Geology
Area191.1 ha
Notification1 January 1957
River Alyn near Loggerheads

A large part of the site is covered by broadleaved woodland with sessile oak, ash and sycamore among the dominant tree species.[1] Notable plants in the woods include stinking hellebore, green-flowered helleborine and wayfaring tree.[2] There are also areas of calcareous grassland with plants such as bloody cranesbill and lesser meadow-rue.[1] Much of the site lies on an escarpment of Carboniferous limestone and there are three cave systems: Ogof Hesp Alyn, Ogof Hen Ffynhonnau and Ogof Nadolig.[1] Lead ore, zinc ore, limestone and calcite were formerly mined in the area.[1]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b c d e f "Alyn Valley Woods and Alyn Gorge Caves (PDF)". Site of Special Scientific Interest Citation. Countryside Council for Wales. Retrieved 7 May 2014.[permanent dead link]
  2. ^ a b c "Alyn Valley Woods". Joint Nature Conservation Committee. Retrieved 7 May 2014.