Industrial site to wildlife haven Since 1998, when it was sold to the Wildlife Trust for £1.00 by ICI, we have been beginning to turn the Cooke's Explosives Works at Penrhyndeudraeth into a place for wildlife and people. For almost 150 years it was an important site for the manufacture of explosives.

Gwaith Powdwr's historical interest, biodiversity and cultural and community links make it an ideal environmental education resource. Habitat management focuses on creating a mosaic of heathland and woodland. The 24.5 hectares of heath, scrub and woodland provides good habitat for birds, (including nightjar, pied flycatcher, wood warbler, redstart, tree pipit, meadow pipit, stonechat and linnet), bats and insects. The nine buildings remaining on site, and a tunnel are important for barn owl, swallow, pied wagtail and bats such as the rare lesser horseshoe bat.

Restoring heathland To help develop the wildlife interest, we have increased the area of heathland habitat, by planting 20,000 heather plants. They were grown from seed from heather plants on site, nurtured in a greenhouse and planted back out on site on bare rubble. This project funded by the Countryside Council for Wales, Life and the Heritage Lottery Fund, has enabled the Trust to successfully test a unique new method for restoring heathland. To find out more you can access and print out the full report by clicking the following links. LifeProject.pdf LifeProject.word

Why not take a visit?
As well as the wildlife, you will have fantastic views of Harlech Castle, the stunning Dwyryd estuary, Portmeirion and the mountains of Snowdonia. It's a wonderful place to visit, with accessible walkways throughout the site. With prior permission, vehicular access is available throughout the site at most times of the year for those who need it.
You will see remnants of the site's industrial past - the unique "Pendulum" - used to measure the charge of explosives; the old winding house where trucks containing explosives were hauled uphill; massive solid stone buildings designed to store explosives and direct the blast upwards in the event of an explosion. Walls of sandbags, now blend into the landscape and now providing a unique habitat for wildlife.

Part of the site is now open to the public all year round.

For access to buildings, or to book a guided walk or talk for a group, or for further information, email us or call 01248 351541.

We run evening nightjar visit every summer - take a look at our events programme for details of evening walks to see the nightjars.

Leaflets are available on request about the wildlife and industrial history, and there is information on site.

How you can help
Support this exciting project by becoming a member, or by giving us a donation.
Contact us to find out how you can help with surveys, wardening, or practical site management.