Tremeirchion
The area around Tremeirchion is covered in Bronze Age barrows, such as the Criafol Round Barrow and two round barrows on Moel Maen Efa, and this would indicate a continuation in settlement from very ancient times.
The area was part of the traditional lands of the Salusbury family and the Cotton baronets. The powerful Salusbury family, were one of the most illustrious Welsh land-owning dynasties of the Georgian era.
Tremeirchion briefly became well known in the early 19th century when the caves at Ffynnon Beuno were first excavated and were found to contain Ice Age flint tools and the bones of woolly rhino, mammoth and hyena, some of the earliest evidence of human existence in Wales.
The Church of Corpus Christi, dates back to the 12th century. In the Celtic circular churchyard, you will find an 800-year old yew tree and a 14th century Celtic cross. Hester Lynch Thrale Piozzi (née Salusbury) a celebrated Welsh writer and socialite is buried here. She lived in the nearby neoclassical villa Brynbella.
Tremeirchion is also home to St Beuno’s College, a Jesuit college at which the Victorian era poet and Jesuit priest Gerard Manley Hopkins studied. The building is a Grade II* listed building and a Welsh Historic Monument, spiritual retreats now take place here.
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Ruallt
The village of Rhuallt is a curious little village just to the north of the A55 falling mainly within the Tremeirchion community. The village itself lies on the old Roman road between Chester (Deva) and Caerhun (Canovium). Nearby points of interest include the dovecote at the 17th century Rhuallt Hall and the Pennant lead mine. Find out more here.
Bodfari
Bodfari is a small village nestled at a scenic gap in the hills of the Clwydian Range, with the River Wheeler running through it and the hill fort of Moel y Gaer cresting the range above.
Bodfari has been a settlement since ancient times, evidenced by the hillfort; Bronze Age and Roman artefacts have been discovered; and it featured in the Doomsday book of 1086.
The presence of a church was recorded before the end of the 11th century. Today you will find the church of St Stephen’s, surrounded by a smattering of 17th and 18th Century buildings. The church itself is noted for its medieval tower and perpendicular bell chamber openings, the rest rebuilt in 1865. In the church there is a Pilgrim Pod (open 10-4pm) where walkers can come in and make a hot drink and have a snack in return for a small donation to church funds.
The Dinorben Arms Public House, dates back to at least 1640, historically it was a coaching stop and resting place for pilgrims, and later being part of the estate of Lord Dinorben, the wealthy 1st Baron Dinorben. The pub sign depicts his coat of arms.
The nearby hamlet of Sodom was recently highlighted in a new book ‘On a Dark Night with Enough Wind’. The book is a snapshot of a traditional way of living, the author, Lilla Pennant collected the oral histories in the 1980s, from the community in which she grew up. The book portrays the hidden way of life of the people of the hilltops, their courage, ingenuity and wit.
Afonwen
On the very edge of the National Landscape, you will find Afonwen, which translates literally as ‘White River’, a tiny village, situated on the old 17th century Chester to Holyhead Road, and close to the River Wheeler.
A paper mill was situated on the river, at the end of the 18th century, these buildings have now been incorporated into the popular Afonwen Craft and Antique Centre. You can still find features of Caerwys Station, 1869 -1962, which was built in Afonwen on the Mold-Denbigh Railway Line.
Ddôl
Further along the edge of the National Landscape you will find the small hamlet of Ddôl between Afonwen and Ysceifiog.
The cottage of Ddôl Afon was once a toll house and was probably built in the late eighteenth century. Ddôl Afon cottage is listed as a rare surviving toll house retaining nineteenth century character.
Another notable feature is Ddôl Afonwen Methodist Chapel which was first built in 1830 and rebuilt in 1884. By the late twentieth century Ddôl Afonwen had fallen into disuse. Y Ddôl Uchaf means ‘the upper meadow’ it is an historic name from before the area was worked as a tufa (a type of limestone) quarry and marl pit during the Second World War. Ddôl Uchaf Nature Reserve is now on the former quarry site and is managed by the North Wales Wildlife Trust. Today it flourishes as a wildlife-rich patchwork of woodland, grassland, ponds and river. The limestone-rich soils create perfect conditions for grassland wildflowers. The unusual geological characteristics of the site (its residual marl clay, left following the quarrying) help capture rainwater, forming ponds favoured by all three native species of newt – smooth, palmate and great crested – as well as grass snakes and many dragonflies.
Nannerch
The village of Nannerch is nestled in the foothills of the Clwydian Range.
It has a strong community and a rich history. The name itself combines the elements ‘nant’ [stream] and ‘erch’ [speckled, or dappled]. The name was given to the church and village settlement as early as 1254, and also to the stream flowing down the valley. A much earlier origin can be presumed, as the churchyard shape and location imply an origin in the early medieval era.
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