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| Pwllpeiran is the Research and Development Centre for ADAS Wales ---ADAS is a leading Consultancy and Research Organisation for land bases industries. Pwllpeiran has a long and distinguished record of involvement with change and development in the Welsh Uplands and was once part of the famous Hafod Estate of Thomas Johns’. In the 1930’s it became the centre of Sir George Stapledon’s pioneering Cahn Hill Improvement Scheme before becoming in 1955 a Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food Experimental Husbandry Farm. This had two objectives:- Firstly to demonstrate integration between agriculture and forestry and secondly to develop practical systems to increase the output from Welsh Mountain Farms , as a way of maintaining rural populations and incomes. Over a thirty year period , Pwllpeiran increased its agricultural output dramatically and its systems were widely taken up by farmers but lead to serious impacts on both landscape and the environment ---particularly overgrazing . Today , output is longer so important and the uplands are increasingly being managed for multiple objectives with the aim of creating a more diverse rural economy which can provide jobs and stable rural communities. This change in emphasis away from production per se towards far more environmentally sustainable system, is reflected in Pwllpeiran’s current activities. Pwllpeiran is not a visitor attraction per se but Open Days are held from time to time to which farmers, land owners, conservationists, students and the general public are warmly welcomed.  The Pwllpeiran trail is a Permissive trail which gives visitors exciting new vistas over the former Hafod Estate and the Upper Ystwyth Valley and attractive information boards give information on the agriculture, forestry, wildlife and history to be seen along its route. 1. The Hafod Arch This is a very important local monument which was built in 18 10 by Thomas Johnes, the squire of Hafod, to commemorate the jubilee of King George Ill - farmer George. It marks the highest point on the former Hafod Estate of the Old Aberystwyth - Rhayader road. 3. The Bwlch yr Oerfa Scheduled Monument Below some new oak woodland and in front of forestry plantations, are some interesting features in the ground. These are part of a scheduled monument, an agricultural settlement, which is believed to be part of the former Cwmystwyth Grange of the Old Cistercian Abbey at Strata Florida -the earthworks are thought to be part of a raised garden. 4. Coleg Gwair (College Hay Field) This is where Stapelton in the 1930s undertook a lot of his Cahn Hill work, particularly the evaluation under upland conditions of the Aberystwyth S23 late Perennial Ryegrass which for many years was an important component of seeds mixtures used in pasture improvement. 5. View over Pwllpeiran Hafod a to the right and the Upper Ystwyth Valley to the front and left. Most of the mountain grazings in fact are now managed under ESA agreement and slowly but surely, dwarf shrub heath communities are returning. On the far left the remains of squatter cottages and associated enclosures, relate to the large scale lead mining activities in the Upper Ystwyth Valley in former times. 6. The new wetland With more sensitive management~ orchids and other characteristic species have at last had the chance to flower properly. 7. The woody dingle This it a particularly important wildlife habitat along the trail 10. Myherin Forest The Cambrian Way Long Distance Path is followed for the final section of the walk through Myherin Forest back to the Hafod Arch. On its way it passes through Gelmast farmyard. Gelmast was Thomas Johnes' original experimental farm. Myherin Forest is owned by the National Assembly for Wales. Forest Enterprise, the executive agency of the Forestry Commission, manages the National Assembly's forests and woodlands and aims to provide a whole range of social, environmental and economic benefits. People are central to all of the Agency's objectives and because of its commitment to access and recreation, car parks such as those at The Arch and Hafod Church (starting points for the Trail) are provided and maintained. Several of the viewpoints on The Pwllpeiran Trail overlook the Hafod Estate which is also owned by the National Assembly and managed by Forest Enterprise in partnership with the Hafod Trust. | |
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