Pen y Waun

The Pen y Waun nature reserve consists of two small fields situated on the edge of Waun-y-Mynach common. The fields were former garden plots for nearby cottages.

Location

Nearest town is Llechfaen, Brecon, LD3 0TL.

OS Map Reference

SO 094 300

Know before you go

Parking information

Park off-road by entrance to site.

Walking trails

There are no trails on the reserve and it can be wet at any time of year.

Access

From Brecon take the A470 towards Bronllys. After two miles (before you reach Felin Fach) there is a sign indicating a Powys County Council waste transfer station. Turn right here and follow this lane for two miles until you come to the reserve on your left. If you reach the unfenced open common land you have overshot by 25 metres.

Dogs

Under effective control

When to visit

Opening times

Open access

Best time to visit

All year round

About the reserve

The reserve is enclosed within a long hedge that has been laid in the Breconshire style. Note that the stakes within the hedge are set at an angle. Running along the top of the hedge are plaited lengths of hazel called “heatherings”. These prevent the laid stems of the hedge from springing upwards.

As well as being an example of local craftmanship, the hedge also acts as a “wildlife corridor”. Mice and voles use the hedge for travelling, it acts as a resting and nesting site for small birds and it attracts a range of insects, including moths. A moth survey identified species with intriguing names as “heart and dart”, “small phoenix”, “flame shoulder” and “beautiful golden Y”.

Over 350 flower-spikes of common-spotted and heath-spotted orchids have been recorded in the first meadow and the site features a range of meadow wildflowers.