Coed Ceunant and the Afon Clwyd 14th October 2026

Ruthin Craft Centre, the start of our walk today.

First view of Moel Famau as we crossed the field to Llanbedr DC/

The entrance to St. Peter's Church, Llanbedr DC.

The harvest festival display in the entrance to the church.

Inside St. Peter's Church, Llanbedr DC.

Enjoying a coffee.

Owl carving in a garden in Llanbedr DC.

Remains of the medieval church of St. Peter.

At the medieval church of St. Peter.

At the medieval church of St. Peter.

Heading for Coed Ceunant.

Heading for Coed Ceunant.

The path through Coed Ceunant.

Another delightful path through Coed Ceunant,

The gateway to the Moel Famau Country Park.

A fallen tree rests on the drystone wall.

Our path descended through high bracken.

A new gate near Fron-bellaf.

View from our lunch spot above Fron Ganol.

A Parasol mushroom near Fron Ganol.

The completed part of the mill near the Afon Clwyd

View across the Afon Clwyd towards the Clwydian Hills.

Not much water flowing over these steps / fisher laddes today.

It would have been nice to see at least one of these today, but alas we didn't see any!

Distance: 7.6 miles. Climb: 925’.
Time: 4 hours 4 minutes. On the move walking average: 2.4 m.p.h.
Overall walking average: 1.6 m.p.h.
Temperature: Around 18 Celsius throughout the walk.
Beaufort Wind Force: 1-2. Mainly no more than Light air
Group: Martyn and Fran.
Another good day for walking, largely sunny in the morning, but clouding over during the afternoon. Nevertheless, it was pleasantly warm all day.
The first part of the walk took us round the back of Ruthin School past all of the impressive new buildings, sadly no longer used as a school.
Crossing the fields to Llanbedr-Dyffryn-Clwyd, some of the stiles had been replaced with kissing-gates, and a new footbridge had been installed, always appreciated by us pensioners!
St. Peter’s Church at Llanbedr DC was open, so naturally we went in. Fran noticed that there was a coffee machine there, and decided it was a good time for a coffee. She paid by card, but nearly paid £350 for it, rather than £3-50 that she wanted to!
Once again, we visited the medieval church of St. Peter, not far from Llanbedr Hall, before heading for Coed Ceunant.
Lunch was taken on the slopes of Moel y Gaer, with views of Fron Ganol below us.
After lunch, our route was almost a direct line the Afon Clwyd, passing some impressive new houses on the way.
Although the path back to Ruthin takes us next to river, views of the river were largely blocked by overgrown vegetation.
The river was very low, but still enough for some young cows to enjoy running through it.
Birds seen or heard today included: House sparrow, Common blackbird, Common starling, Common pheasant, Jackdaw, Carrion crow, Raven and Black billed magpie.
Overall, a very enjoyable walk.
After walk refreshments were enjoyed at the Ruthin Castle Hotel (Wetherspoon),

John Summers Clock Tower Building Visit 10th October 2026

Plenty of visitors arriving.

Wilsons Journey time-line.

The start of the main staircase in the entrance hall.

This was a Coastal Cargo Vessel built for John Summers.

One of the period pictures on display. 

This one seems to be of the Shropshire Union Canal by Cow Lane Bridge.

One of exhibits about the steel works.

Some artifacts from the steelworkers.

Inside the board room.

An impressive desk for the secretary!

Any idea where this is?

This one is a bit easier!

The second floor staircase stained glass window

A different view of the clock from the outside veranda / patio.

Hawarden Bridge from the veranda / patio.

This way to the Community Garden.

The extent of Wilsons empire!

One view of the garden.

Looks like this was a crown green bowling square.

This picture depicts tthe swimming pool and fountain when in use.

The swimming pool now - not very inviting!

This is allthat is left of the fountain - no longer with tumbling water.

Grounds originally to be used by the staff at the Steelworks.

Statues of the three wise monkeys (see no evil, hear no evil and speak no evil) at the entrance to the Community Gardens.

I remember visiting this dining area when I visited the steelworks on a school visit in the late sixties.

Hawarden Bridge - river still rising.

Last port of call before heading home.

Distance: 3 miles. Climb: 100' at a guess, there was an awful lot of steps in the clock tower!
Not really a a planned walk, but I noticed that Wilsons Auctions were having an open day to show off the John Summers Clock Tower building after they had restored it.

They were ding guided tours, if you pre-booked, I didn't, so I just wandered through each room and around the garden afterwards.

I started with breakfast at the Central Hotel in Shotton before strolling across Hawarden Bridge at 11-15  (the tide was pretty high and still rising!) to enter the building at the main entrance from the riverside path.

It was much busier than I expected, so taking photos wasn't easy, if you wanted take them without any people being in the picture.

The restoration is impressive, and it was well worth a change of plans and take the opportunity to see inside the building whilst it was being offered.

I returned to the Central Hotel, to sample another two beers in the Wetherspoon Beer Festival before heading home on the bus.