Trifter

Believe it or not on the top of this rocky plateau can be found a golf course.

Llanymynech golf course was originally a nine hole course built in 1933 and later expanded to an 18 hole course and boasts more than 400 members including Ian Woosnam.

High up on Llanymynech rocks can be found an 18 hole golf course!

The name Llanymynech is thought to mean, “Church of Monks” in Welsh and it is believed that a church stood on this site back in the sixth century. The course stands on a battleground where Caractacus fought the Romans back in A.D 50 in an attempt to force them out of the country. Evidence of Roman ruins are still in evidence on parts of the course along with a burial mound.

Llanymynech rocks can be found between Welshpool and Oswestry and actually straddles the border between England and Wales. This means that there is 15 holes on the course that are in Wales and 3 are in England.

There can’t be to many signs like this!

On holes one to four a golfer tee’s off in Wales, they then reach England on the fourth green, they remain in England until returning to Wales for the seventh tee!

Another interesting feature of Llanymynech rocks is that during the 19th century limestone quarrying took place here and over the years the quarry floor has attracted limestone loving plants and grasses, this includes the rare Bumble bee orchid.

The rare Bumble bee orchid. photo by Ghost of Spangle.

On the surrounding cliffs Peregrine Falcons and Jackdaws can be found nesting and the area is also home to the largest natural population of Whitebeam in the U.K.

As well as the Bumble bee orchid other plants of interest that can be found here are Autumn Ladies Tresses, Fairy Flax, Yellow Wort, Wild Thyme and Rock Rose, these unusual plants also attract many butterflies including the threatened Pearl Bordered Fritillary butterfly. It is probably due to the unique flaura and fauna that can be found here that the area has been designated as a Site of Scientific Interest (S.S.I)

On the southern slopes of Llanymynech rocks there is said to be the burial site of a giants wife, it is said that he buried her wearing a solid gold necklace and her grave was marked with a monument of stones. The story goes on to say that three sons of a local farmer in the late 19th century attempted to recover the necklace, they removed the capstone from the monument but were unable to find the necklace, all three died shortly after.

Another legend that can be found here concerns a cave which can be found by following the public footpath which crosses the golf course, this is known as the Ogof cave and is said by locals to be the entrance to the Underworld (fairyland).

In the distance and to the left of the picture amongst the undergrowth can be found the Ogof cave.

The cave system was explored in the 19th century by a person named Dovaston, he went on to say that this labyrinth was connected by numerous paths with Carreghove Castle, and he says some people have stated that they have heard the rivers Vyrnwy and Tanat flowing above their heads and that the cave leads to Fairyland. Another story linked to this cave was that it was the abode of a Fairy who became the wife of King Alaric whose palace is said to lie at the bottom of Llynclys lake not far from here.

Not what you would expect to find in the middle of a golf course, I took this photo standing in the mouth of the Ogof cave.

A journal published in 1896 states that the Roman cavern in Llanymynech hill called Ogo has long been noted as the residence of a class of Fairy tribe, of which the villagers relate many suprising and mischievous tricks. They have listened at the mouth of the cave, and have even heard them in conversation, but always in such low whispers, that their words were never distinguishable. The stream that now runs through it is celebrated as being the place in which they have been heard to wash their clothes and do several other kinds of work.

Another legend which surfaces in 1896 is that of Ned Pugh a local resident and harp player, he claimed that he could walk from the Ogof cave underground to the Lion Inn in Llanymynech, a bet was placed that the choir singing in the church would be able to hear Ned playing his harp from beneath the ground. The following sunday everyone heard the music from Ned’s harp, but unfortunately Ned never made it out of the cave system and the tune that the people heard that day was named “Farewell Ned Pugh” in rememberance of him.

A variation of this story is that Ned Pugh was taken into the Ogof cave system by the Fairy folk so that he could play his music for them, this it is said he did but unfortunately he ate and drank the food and drink he was offered, once he had done this it meant that he was unable to return to surface life. But as you never age in fairyland perhaps he is still playing his harp to this day somewhere in the depths of the earth!