Exploring Erddig's parkland

Discover 1,200 acres of parkland at Erddig | © National Trust Images/John Millar

With a diverse parkland, Erddig is brimming with grassland, lakes, ponds, rivers, veteran trees and woodland. Discover scenery that ranges from the Clywedog river and peaceful woodland landscape of Big Wood, to famous architectural features like the ‘cup and saucer’ and the dramatic escarpment that leads to Wat’s Dyke. Explore the remains of a Norman motte and bailey castle.

Family fun around the parkland at Erddig

Enjoy a waymarked walk around the 1,200 acre estate or tick off several of our '50 things to do before you’re 11¾' activities on the estate. You can easily do No. 1 Get to know a tree or No. 5 Skim a stone and the bridges over the river are perfect for No. 19 Play Pooh sticks.

Dotted along the pathways there’s plenty of perfect picnic spots, whether in the woods, by the river or in a meadow.

Dogs are welcome under close control and on leads near livestock, especially in spring when there are lambs. Discover the off-lead zone near Felin Puleston where your dog can scratch, sniff and bound freely to its heart’s content.

Top things to discover at Erddig's parkland

This ‘great expense and labour’ was largely the work of the well-respected landscape designer William Emes who worked at Erddig from 1768-1780. He was contracted to not only create an aesthetically attractive landscape but also to increase the agricultural value of the land by reducing the serious flooding of the Afon Clwedog.

Cup and Saucer waterfall

Emes created gravelled walks throughout the large pleasure grounds, planted many trees which are still thriving today, and manipulated the flow of water across the park through a series of cascades and weirs.

His most unique alteration to the Erddig landscape was the Cup and Saucer waterfall. This feature, which you can still see today, works by gathering water in a shallow circular stone basin with a cylindrical waterfall at its centre. The water falls through this cascade and then emerges from a tunnel several yards downstream.

Norman remains

Emes also incorporated into his designs some of the early earthwork features at Erddig for example the Motte and Bailey castle and Wat’s Dyke, a 40-mile long defensive earthwork built in the 8th century.

The Motte and Bailey Castle was built by the Normans in the 11th century to enforce their control over the local area. Explore the remains, which today are raised earthen mounds, covered by trees. Originally, this would have dominated the skyline. In its construction, the Normans utilised the natural topography of the land and the pre-existing defensive boundary of Wat’s Dyke.

An avenue of trees

Seven hundred years later, Emes incorporated these earthworks into his designs, planting an avenue of trees on its summit named cathedral aisle. Let your eyes follow and discover how the trees lead to a spectacular view over the surrounding landscape.

Everyone Welcome

For over 300 years visitors have been invited to explore the parkland at Erddig. The Yorkes didn’t want to keep the estate to themselves, appreciating the value of the countryside to the health and wellbeing of the local community. In 1779, Philip Yorke I put up the following notice at the entrance lodges at Erddig:

'Mr Yorke having at great Expense, and at the labour of many Years, finished the Ground and Wood Walks about Erthig, desires to acquaint his Neighbours, that they are extremely welcome to walk in the same for their Health and Amusement.'

Philip Yorke I

Discover nature at Erddig

Veteran trees

Erddig parkland is one of the best places in the UK for its ancient and notable trees. These include oak, sycamore, beech, sweet chestnut, ash, lime, hornbeam and hawthorn. There is an abundance of ancient oaks at Erddig, approximately 150 trees at the last count.

An ancient tree is a tree which is remarkably old for its species and this can vary dramatically. For example, birch trees are considered ancient at 150 years, oak at 400 years and yew trees an astonishing 800 years.

Rivers

The Clywedog River and Black Brook that run through the estate carry many different fish species, as well as eels and water voles. Otters also travel through and visit Erddig, but these elusive creatures remain one of the hardest to spot.

Herons can often be seen patrolling the rivers and our rangers often spot dippers playing in the rapids. If you’re lucky, you may even catch a glimpse of our elusive kingfishers!

Lakes and ponds

With over 30 ponds on our estate, Erddig has a very healthy variety of wetland habitats to suit a wide range of aquatic species from dragonflies to swans. Grass snakes like to hang out in these areas too, but don’t worry, they’re totally harmless.

See Erddig and the surrounding parkland from above https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eCflRkbfwtg