CRAIG SYCHTYN

The air blows fresh from Wales at Craig Sychtyn and there are grand views across to the Tanat Valley and beyond to the Berwyn Mountains from this fine old wood.

A steepish public footpath takes you straight down its side; just before the end you can turn left and puff your way up 85 twisting steps to the top of the limestone cliff. Up here unfettered winds have stunted the growth of some of the trees - look out for some curious oaks and also for spindle and the rare wild service tree.

Pied flycatchers breed in this wood in nestboxes supplied for them; listen for buzzards, ravens and woodpeckers. In spring

look out for orchids and cowslips, in autumn for the bright orange berries of stinking iris and in summer for nettle-leaved bellflower, a local speciality also known as the blue foxglove. Letting light into the woods brings out the flowers, so the hazel is cut regularly.

The Oswestry uplands are dotted with old limestone quarry workings and here at Craig Sychtyn you will find lime kilns filled with leaves. The old quarry is a good place for limestone-loving flowers.