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Henrhyd Falls: Difference between revisions

Coordinates: 51°47′39″N 3°39′48″W / 51.7943°N 3.6633°W / 51.7943; -3.6633
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{{Short description|Waterfall in Wales}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2022}}
{{Infobox waterfall
{{Infobox waterfall
| name = Sgwd Henrhyd
| name = Henrhyd Falls
| photo = Sgwd Henrhyd.JPG
| photo = Henrhyd Falls 2014-09-04 - 1.jpg
| photo_caption = Sgwd Henrhyd Waterfall.
| photo_caption = Henrhyd Waterfall.
| location = [[Powys]], [[Wales]]
| location = [[Brecon Beacons National Park]], [[Wales]]
| height = {{convert|90|ft|m}}
| height = {{convert|90|ft|m}}
| watercourse = Nant Llech
| watercourse = Nant Llech
}}
}}


'''Sgwd Henrhyd''' ('''Henrhyd Waterfall''' or '''Henrhyd Falls''') in [[Powys]], [[Wales]], is the tallest waterfall in South Wales with a drop of {{convert|90|ft|m}}. It lies on [[National Trust for Places of Historic Interest or Natural Beauty|National Trust]] land on the southern edge of the [[Brecon Beacons]] National Park.
'''Henrhyd Falls''' ([[Welsh language|Welsh]]: ''Sgwd Henrhyd'') in the [[Brecon Beacons National Park]], [[Wales]], is the tallest waterfall in southern Wales, with a drop of {{convert|90|ft|m}}. It lies on [[National Trust for Places of Historic Interest or Natural Beauty|National Trust]] land, in the county of [[Powys]]. The nearest settlement is [[Coelbren, Powys|Coelbren]], on the road between [[Glynneath]] and [[Abercraf]]. Though not in the core of the area, it is considered by many to constitute a part of Wales' celebrated [[Waterfall Country (Wales)|Waterfall Country]].<ref>Ordnance Survey Explorer map OL12 'Brecon Beacons National Park: western area'</ref>


==Geology==
The falls occur where the small river, the [[Nant Llech]] ({{gbmapping|SN854122}}) drops over the [[geological fault|fault]]ed edge of a hard sandstone known as the [[Farewell Rock]]. The nearest settlement to it is [[Coelbren, Powys|Coelbren]], on the road between [[Glynneath]] and [[Abercraf]]. Though not in the core of the area, it is considered by many to constitute a part of South Wales' celebrated [[Waterfall Country (Wales)|Waterfall Country]].<ref>Ordnance Survey Explorer map OL12 'Brecon Beacons National Park: western area'</ref><ref>British Geological Survey 1:50,000 map sheet 231 'Merthyr Tydfil' & accompanying memoir</ref>
The falls occur where a small river, the [[Nant Llech]] ({{gbmapping|SN854122}}), drops over the [[geological fault|fault]]ed edge of a hard sandstone known as the [[Farewell Rock]] which forms the top half of the rock face and the base of the South Wales Coal Measures. Beneath this, and forming much of the recessed portion of the drop, is the Subcrenatum Sandstone separated from the Farewell Rock above by the ''Subcrenatum'' [[marine band (geology)|marine band]]. Both the marine band and sandstone are part of the Bishopston Mudstone Formation included within the [[Marros Group]], the modern name in South Wales for the assemblage of strata that was traditionally known as the Millstone Grit series.<ref>{{cite book |last1=George |first1=Gareth |title=The Geology of South Wales: a field guide |publisher=Geoserv publishing |location=Bearsted, Kent |isbn=9780955937125 |page=164 |edition=second }}</ref> A stream gully between the descent path and the falls marks the line of the Henrhyd Fault which is responsible for the falls' presence.<ref>{{cite web |title=Cambrian Caving Council web mapping |url=http://www.cambriancavingcouncil.org.uk/registry/CCRm.htm |website=Cambrian Caving Council |accessdate=31 December 2018}}</ref><ref>British Geological Survey 1:50,000 map sheet 231 'Merthyr Tydfil' & accompanying memoir</ref>


The waterfall is reached after a steep walk down into the valley from the car park established by the National Trust, and is a popular spot to visit. One of the area's most famous visitors was Sir [[William Edmond Logan]] (later head of the [[Geological Survey of Canada]]), who carried out detailed geological survey work in the area, discovering near the foot of the falls the [[fossil]] trees which now stand outside [[Swansea]] Museum.
One of the area's most famous visitors was Sir [[William Edmond Logan]] (later head of the [[Geological Survey of Canada]]). In 1833 he carried out detailed geological survey work in the area, discovering a mile (1.5&nbsp;km) down the valley from the foot of the falls the [[fossil]] trees that now stand in the garden at [[Swansea Museum]].<ref>{{cite book |last1=George |first1=Gareth |title=The Geology of South Wales: a field guide |publisher=Geoserv publishing |location=Bearsted, Kent |isbn=9780955937125 |page=163 |edition=second }}</ref> They are 'Object 1' in their 'History of Swansea in 20 Objects'.<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.swanseamuseum.co.uk/uncategorized/history-of-swansea-in-20-objects| title = History of Swansea in 20 Objects| website= Swansea Museum| last=Morgan| first=Karl| date=10 November 2021| access-date=11 March 2023}}</ref>


==Access==
The final scene of [[The Dark Knight Rises]] was filmed at the waterfall, where it doubled as the entrance for the [[Batcave]].
[[File:The falls - geograph.org.uk - 474090.jpg|thumb|left|View of the falls showing the undercut rock behind the falls]]
The waterfall is reached after a steep walk down into the valley from the car park established by the National Trust, and is a popular spot to visit. A further footpath leads steeply down to the falls via the opposite side of the valley, accessed from Dol Henrhyd, the road to Coelbren village.


==See also==
==See also==
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==External links==
==External links==
*[http://www.geograph.org.uk/search.php?i=5145519 images of Henrhyd Falls and surrounding area on the Geograph website]
*[https://www.geograph.org.uk/search.php?i=5145519 images of Henrhyd Falls and surrounding area on the Geograph website]


{{coord|51.79667|N|3.66321|W|region:GB_source:enwiki-osgb36(SN854122)|display=title}}<!-- Note: WGS84 lat/long, converted from OSGB36 grid ref -->
{{coord|51.7943|-3.6633|region:GB_type:landmark|display=title}}


{{Waterfalls of Wales}}
{{Waterfalls of Wales}}
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[[Category:Fforest Fawr]]
[[Category:Fforest Fawr]]
[[Category:Waterfalls of Powys]]
[[Category:Waterfalls of Powys]]
[[Category:Visitor attractions in Powys]]
[[Category:Tourist attractions in Powys]]
[[Category:National Trust properties in Wales]]
[[Category:National Trust properties in Wales]]


{{Powys-geo-stub}}

Latest revision as of 21:22, 29 September 2024

Henrhyd Falls
Henrhyd Waterfall.
Map
LocationBrecon Beacons National Park, Wales
Total height90 feet (27 m)
WatercourseNant Llech

Henrhyd Falls (Welsh: Sgwd Henrhyd) in the Brecon Beacons National Park, Wales, is the tallest waterfall in southern Wales, with a drop of 90 feet (27 m). It lies on National Trust land, in the county of Powys. The nearest settlement is Coelbren, on the road between Glynneath and Abercraf. Though not in the core of the area, it is considered by many to constitute a part of Wales' celebrated Waterfall Country.[1]

Geology

[edit]

The falls occur where a small river, the Nant Llech (grid reference SN854122), drops over the faulted edge of a hard sandstone known as the Farewell Rock which forms the top half of the rock face and the base of the South Wales Coal Measures. Beneath this, and forming much of the recessed portion of the drop, is the Subcrenatum Sandstone separated from the Farewell Rock above by the Subcrenatum marine band. Both the marine band and sandstone are part of the Bishopston Mudstone Formation included within the Marros Group, the modern name in South Wales for the assemblage of strata that was traditionally known as the Millstone Grit series.[2] A stream gully between the descent path and the falls marks the line of the Henrhyd Fault which is responsible for the falls' presence.[3][4]

One of the area's most famous visitors was Sir William Edmond Logan (later head of the Geological Survey of Canada). In 1833 he carried out detailed geological survey work in the area, discovering a mile (1.5 km) down the valley from the foot of the falls the fossil trees that now stand in the garden at Swansea Museum.[5] They are 'Object 1' in their 'History of Swansea in 20 Objects'.[6]

Access

[edit]
View of the falls showing the undercut rock behind the falls

The waterfall is reached after a steep walk down into the valley from the car park established by the National Trust, and is a popular spot to visit. A further footpath leads steeply down to the falls via the opposite side of the valley, accessed from Dol Henrhyd, the road to Coelbren village.

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Ordnance Survey Explorer map OL12 'Brecon Beacons National Park: western area'
  2. ^ George, Gareth. The Geology of South Wales: a field guide (second ed.). Bearsted, Kent: Geoserv publishing. p. 164. ISBN 9780955937125.
  3. ^ "Cambrian Caving Council web mapping". Cambrian Caving Council. Retrieved 31 December 2018.
  4. ^ British Geological Survey 1:50,000 map sheet 231 'Merthyr Tydfil' & accompanying memoir
  5. ^ George, Gareth. The Geology of South Wales: a field guide (second ed.). Bearsted, Kent: Geoserv publishing. p. 163. ISBN 9780955937125.
  6. ^ Morgan, Karl (10 November 2021). "History of Swansea in 20 Objects". Swansea Museum. Retrieved 11 March 2023.
[edit]

51°47′39″N 3°39′48″W / 51.7943°N 3.6633°W / 51.7943; -3.6633