Birds singing; sheep casually mowing the lawn with their robust gnashers; picturesque mountains in the distance featuring glimpses of Snowdon. Close your eyes, take a deep breath and inhale the fresh air… featuring top notes of manure. Welcome to Wales!
One of my favourite places to visit. On this occasion, I stayed in Denbighshire. Whenever I think of escapism, Wales comes to mind. You’ll never be alone, due to the sheer amount of livestock and wildlife keeping you company. Sheep, chickens, cows, pigs, goats, bulls, red squirrels; the list goes on!The rural atmosphere and firewood at your fingertips, resetting your mind, soul and body with the addition of an unexpected digital detox dictated by the inability to access phone service – you must live in the moment! Your senses are heightened, resulting in appreciating nature in its most beautiful form, savouring and indulging each precious moment that life at present has gifted to you.
A scenic forest walk in the wilderness. Hiking boots and layers at the ready.
Clocaenog Forest was a wonderful discovery very local to where I stayed. Extensive land to explore and be at one with nature.
But first, story time…
Now when I initially googled the area, an article popped up about unidentified human male remains found in the forest in 2015, which had been deposited from 1995-2005, undiscovered for over 10 years.
Also known as the ‘Clocaenog Forest Man’. The identity of both the body and the murderer(s) remain a mystery. And on a more recent Google search an additional discovery caught my eye: 28 year old male – Edward Carthy, many years ago had met his demise in the forest at the hands of a serial killer. So it’s incredibly important to be vigilant anywhere you go and I personally wouldn’t visit the forest alone. I really hope the John Doe mentioned previously is identified soon so his life is acknowledged and remembered with the addition of being one step closer to justice.
The main trails in the area directed you primarily to this forest. So I trusted the natural resources wales places to visit – which recommended here.
It really is beautiful, remote, quiet and picture-perfect tranquility. I unfortunately didn’t spot any red squirrels which the forest is famous for attracting. But I’m sure they were scattered in many locations in the forest just minding their own business!
Lack of signage is not helpful for any novice hiker, thankfully I have a photographic mind so I took note of my bearings throughout but for anyone who relies on reliable signage, this walk isn’t for you, specifically Coed y Fron Wyllt.
It’s very easy to be unsure of your surroundings as the forest is extensive, covering 15,000 acres and unfortunately, no service if you rely on GPS or need to make a call, text or emergency contact. Practice precaution and I personally reiterate not exploring alone.
A muddy, in season, autumnal day consisting of: soiled leaves and grey skies with slight glimmers of light through the cloudy skies that transitions to a pale blue. It’s the simple things that are the most beautiful.
On my way back to the holiday home, upon arrival I had to do the strenuous task; if you know about hiking boots you know the downside is facing the aftermath of the mess that your boots attract. I can be a bit of a clean freak, but sooner is always better and easier than later! It’s a very small price to pay in the grand scheme of things!
After a long outdoorsy day of exploring, one thing was calling my name. Warmth, coziness only means one thing: fire! I placed firewood and cubes of firelighter into the fireplace then reached for the disposable lighter, only to notice its empty. Nada. Huge disappointment since everything else was perfect but I had nothing to light it with!
Fast forward to the next day, I popped to the local shop to make this countryside retreat experience that bit better. And voilà, fire’s lit, ambience and fantasy settings complete.
Later that day, the sheep and sunset make their appearance, words don’t do it justice, but photos almost captured the true magic I witnessed. I hadn’t seen a sky like it; the clarity, the roaring tones that beam from above, truly captivating. Panoramic, heavenly, real-life oil painting.
Lastly, on a whim, I booked tickets to experience the snowdon mountain railway which will all be included in my next post; featuring breathtaking, divine views. What can I say, Snowdon (Yr Wyddfa) up close and personal is always a good idea!
Did you enjoy this post? Have you been on a recent staycation? Whereabouts is your dream destination? Have you visited Wales? What are your thoughts? Comment below!
Beauty File 
Wow, such a beautiful place, Antonia! The videos are beautiful and cute! I would love a visit to this magical area. ❤️🇬🇧
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Aw so glad you found it beautiful, John! Happy I could capture it through lens and I hope you can experience first-handedly all the natural beauty that Wales has to offer one day!😃🌎🤍
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That would be so amazing, almost mystical to me. 😊
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Lovely photos, and that sunset video…wow!!
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Aww thankyouu! So glad you love them both!🤗🤍
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Yes, I enjoyed this post.
My last vacation just a few weeks ago was a Church Men’s Group Bible Study Retreat at a retreat centre and camp called Salem Acres near the town of Big Valley, Alberta, Canada.
I have 3 dream destinations – Paris France 🇫🇷, Venice Italy 🇮🇹 and Saint Petersburg Russia 🇷🇺.
Yes, I’ve visited Wales.
A little village called Llanvihangel Crucorny not far from the Wales-Herefordshire border and a beautiful spot called the Golden Valley (the Golden Valley was shown in an Anthony Hopkins film called Shadowlands about the romance between writer C.S. Lewis and Joy Gresham).
My dad and I stayed at a sheep farm Bed and Breakfast called The Great Llewelynfranc Farm which had a beautiful view of the Skirrid Mountain across the valley and its magnificent sunset over its peak.
Our tour guide the Rev. Canon John Bryan a retired Oxford don and Church of England clergyman stayed at the Skirrid Inn in the village of Llanvihangel Crucorny itself.
We visited many towns and villages plus churches named after obscure Welsh saints nearby.
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Wow incredible, I still need to travel to Canada at some point as I’ve heard amazing things! Oooh yes, those are some dream locations with so much history at their core.
That sounds like a lovely village you visited! I must take a look at The Great Llewelynfranc to observe the magnificent views mentioned!
Aww it’s always the best idea to have a local tour guide to maximise your holiday with any hidden treasures😊🤍
Sounds like such a wonderful time with your father, Wales is such a lovely place!😊🤍
Thankyouu so much for sharing and happy to hear you enjoyed this post!!🤗🤍
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You’re very welcome. 🤗🤍
Yes, I think you would enjoy Canada very much.😊
Wales 🏴 is such a lovely place.
And I think you would enjoy The Great Llewelynfranc Farm with its lovely views.
They have a pasture of sheep 🐑 grazing next to the beautiful and elegant looking big farm house that serves as a B & B.
I used to Baaa at them after waking up in the morning and before I went to bed at night.
But they never baaaed back.
Just like I used to moo at cows 🐄 at a farm in Killarney Ireland 🇮🇪 which was close to the hotel where my dad and I stayed.
But they never mooed back 🐮.
Whenever I baaaed at sheep 🐑 and mooed at cows 🐄 in England 🏴 and Scotland 🏴 , they always baaaed or mooed back.
Then when I got home to Canada 🍁, the thought suddenly hit me that I was baaing and mooing at them in the wrong language.
I was baaaing and mooing at them in English when I should have been baaing at the Welsh sheep 🐑 in Welsh Gaelic and mooing at the Irish ☘️ cows 🐄 in Irish ☘️ Gaelic.
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Aww those sound like such wonderful memories! Haha I do the same thing, but they look at me with a perplexed expression like I’m embarrassing myself! I feel sorry for any humans that may witness my shenanigans let alone the sheep! Hahaha yes, they NEVER baa back🤣🤦♀️.
I think animals think we’re the weird ones mocking them, I thought it would be endearing; clearly not!
Hahaha that’s an epiphany and a half, that’s the only thing that makes sense. I’ll study my Welsh and try out the Irish language, you’ll never know when it may come in handy!😊🤍
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A beautiful place, I felt it was a place far from the troubles of the world until I read about the person who had been killed . Thank you for sharing.
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It’s very sad indeed, if you research many rural areas, certain mysteries and tragedies may come out of the woodwork. Peaceful and remote areas can sometimes bring opportunity to the wrong sort of person(s). I do hope the case is solved soon, justice and punishment is incredibly important to helping others feel safer in the community🙏.
Thankyou so much Lakshmi for reading and commenting🤍
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Thankyouu so much!!😊🤍
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It’s a beautiful place, and for a moment, I felt it was a refuge from the world’s troubles—until I read about the person who had been killed. Thank you for sharing.
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