Erddig Big Wood trail
Erddig's Big Wood trail is a short circular walk taking you around the 1,200-acre estate. Discover a secret meadow and an array of archaeological features on the route. Wander through woodland and explore the ancient remains of a Norman motte and bailey castle as you join the historic and mysterious Wat’s Dyke way.
Orange waymarkers
Look out for the orange coloured waymarkers that signpost this trail through the estate.
Total steps: 13
Total steps: 13
Start point
Erddig car park. Grid reference: SJ 32782 48091
Step 1
Start by the dovecote and walk east through the coach park continuing straight on to the stony track. Pass the dead oak tree (Quercus robur) on your right which is home to barn owls and a myriad of invertebrates.
Step 2
Follow the path round to the left and past the ha-ha (a feature to keep deer away from the garden).
Step 3
Continue along the path and enter Big Wood.
Step 4
Follow the path round to the left and take the right hand path, following the orange waymarker.
Step 5
Continue straight on, you will notice fallen beech trees as you walk round.
Step 6
Continue straight ahead as the other routes turn right. As you follow the path round to the left, the woodland opens up a little. On your left there is a straight avenue through Big Wood to Wolf’s Den and the garden.
Step 7
Continue along the path until it drops off down to the right – this is the base of the motte and bailey castle. If you want to walk on to the motte and bailey head down the slope to the interpretation panel and then continue up the steep hill. Please take care on the slopes, especially in wet and slippery conditions. If you do not wish to go on to the motte and bailey, please continue to step 10.
Step 8
Once at the top of the steep hill it opens out into a flat grass meadow area. This area would have been the village, with houses and shops, probably including a bakery, butchers, armoury and blacksmith. Now there is an avenue of beech and hornbeam (carpinus betulus).
Step 9
Halfway down the avenue on your left, follow the path down where you can see a large mound, this is the motte part of the castle.
Step 10
Once you have explored the motte and bailey, retrace your steps back to the interpretation panel and up the slope. Stay to the right and continue straight on through Big Wood. You will reach a wooden fence and gates. Follow the path down to the right, down the hill. Half way down the steps on your right is one section of Wat’s Dyke, the second of our Scheduled Ancient Monuments.
Step 11
At the bottom of the hill go through the black kissing gate and turn left. To see the Cup and Saucer cyclindrical cascading water feature, head over the wooden bridge to the right.
Step 12
Retrace your steps back to the path and go through the wooden kissing gate alongside a cattle grid onto the tarmac road.
Step 13
Continue up the hill and through the trees. Head left to the dovecote where you started.
End point
Erddig car park, Grid reference: SJ 32782 48091
Trail map
More near here
Erddig
Explore a much-loved home, garden and estate filled with the stories of a family and their servants | Archwiliwch gartref, gardd ac ystâd sy'n llawn straeon am deulu a'u gweision
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A circular waymarked walk around Erddig's estate, along the River Clywedog, past an 18th-century water feature, castle remains and historic defensive earthworks.
Erddig Bryn-y-Cabanau and Lewis Wood walk
Enjoy the eastern reaches of Erddig's 1,200-acre estate in Wrexham on a waymarked trail through two woods.
Erddig French meadow walk through Emes' pleasure park
Enjoy a waymarked trail through Erddig's 1,200-acre estate in Wrexham, taking you past the historic Cup and Saucer water feature.
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