info@cwmpennanthostel.com

Cwm Pennant Hostel
Golan
Gardolbenmaen
Gwynedd
LL51 9AQ

Tel. 01766 530888

Education

In conjunction with Outdoor UK Ltd we can assist with your geography field trips by completing all the relevant risk assessments and providing a professionally qualified and experienced instructor to work with your group.For further information please click here. Please contact us direct for further information and prices.

Geography

Physical Geography

Snowdonia is a mountainous region, near the coast. Its physical geography is both distinctive and varied. The landscape of Snowdonia shows the effects of glacial activity on the environment, with U-shaped valleys, corries and hanging valleys. The estuaries of Porthmadog and the dune system at Harlech are popular areas to study coastal geomorphology and the hydrosphere.

Human Geography

The local area has experienced profound changes in industrial trends. Once a thriving region for mining, slate extraction and production; these industries became uneconomical in the early 20th Century. Agriculture and forestry are still a major source of employment, but the nuclear power industry and tourism have developed – and are responsible for changing the infrastructure of the region.

Environmental Geography

By examining local settlements and the area, the link between the landscape, geology and the settlement appears. What has drawn man to the region, and how they have affected it, is evidenced by the changing land use and social activities. This can be compared and contrasted to the students home environment.

History

Human habitation of North Wales dates back to around 4000BC when Mesolithic farmers lived on Anglesey. Around 2000BC, the Bronze Age, the area was further settled. Whilst the Roman’s conquered the area in 75AD, the best known remains of Snowdonia's history are the wealth medieval castles built by the Welsh princes and the invading Normans.
http://snowdonia.tupence.co.uk/history.htm

Prehistoric

Bryn Celli Ddu Burial Chambers – Anglesey
http://www.stonepages.com/wales/bryncelliddu.html
Barclodiad y Gawres Burial Chamber – Anglesey
http://www.cadw.wales.gov.uk/default.asp?id=6&PlaceID=25
Great Orme Bronze Age Copper Mines, Llandudno
Displays depict Life and Times in the Bronze Age through archaeological finds and artefacts. Explore the mysterious underground passages leading to an impressive Bronze Age Cavern.
http://www.greatormemines.info/

Celtic

Capel Lligwy Hut Group – Anglesey
http://www.anglesey-history.co.uk/places/lligwy/index.html
Tre'r Ceiri Hill Fort – Llyn Peninsular
http://www.worldtimelines.org.uk/world/british_isles/wales/800BC-AD43/hillforts

Roman

Segontium Roman Fort – Caernarfon
http://www.segontium.org.uk/
Tomen-y-Mur – 2 miles southeast of Maentwrog.

Castles

Caernarfon and Harlech castles were both built under the instruction of Edward I. Caernarfon is the most magnificent – as it was intended to serve as the seat of English Government in Wales.
http://www.theheritagetrail.co.uk/castles/caernarfon%20castle.htm
http://www.theheritagetrail.co.uk/castles/harlech%20castle.htm

Tudors and Stuarts

Aberconwy House, Conwy
http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/main/w-aberconwyhouse
Valle Crucis Abbey, Llangollen
http://www.llangollen.com/valle.html
Plas Mawr, Conwy
http://www.conwy.com/plasmawr.html

Victorian

Penrhyn Castle, Bangor
19th Century neo-Norman fantasy castle, built from quarrying and trading profits, on the site of one of the earliest landed estates in North Wales.
http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/main/w-penrhyncastle
Llechwedd Slate Caverns
Travel by tram into the underground world of the Victorian Slate Miners of Blaenau Ffestiniog taking in the slate caverns and an underground lake.
http://www.llechwedd-slate-caverns.co.uk/
Welsh Slate Museum, Llanberis
Set amongst towering slate quarries, the museum is a living, working piece of Welsh history.
http://www.museumwales.ac.uk/en/slate/
Sygun Copper Mine, Beddgelert
http://www.syguncoppermine.co.uk/

Power Stations

Centre for Alternative Technology, Machynlleth The centre explains the major ecological and environmental problems we face. It then goes on to explain and demonstrate some solutions to them. The aim of the centre is to inspire, inform and enable people to explore new ways of living. There is plenty to do for both adults and children. The site includes a water powered cliff railway, tranquil organic gardens, friendly farmyard animals, wind, water and solar power interactive displays, adventure playground and a wonderful organic restaurant.
http://www.cat.org.uk/index.tmpl?refer=index&init=1
Free educational worksheets are available from:
http://www.cat.org.uk/education/ed_content.tmpl?subdir=education&sku=ED_50
Wylfa Nuclear Power Station
http://www.anglesey-today.com/wylfa.html
Trawsfynydd Nuclear Power Station
http://www.nda.gov.uk/sites/trawsfynydd/
Electric Mountain, Llanberis
This tour and exhibition explains hydro electricity and the National grid system. Free education worksheets are available from:
http://www.fhc.co.uk/education.htm
Cwm Dyli Hydroelectric Power Station in the Gwynant Valley has been producing electricity since 1906.
http://www.fhc.co.uk/electric_mountain.htm
North Hoyle was the UK’s first major offshore wind farm. It is 4 miles off the North Wales coast between Rhyl and Prestatyn and comprises of 30 wind turbines.
http://www.npower-renewables.com/northhoyle/
Anglesey Wind Farms
http://www.anglesey-today.com/wind-farm.html

Other useful websites

National parks http://www.nationalparks.gov.uk/
Forestry Commission, Wales http://www.forestry.gov.uk/forestry/infd-77ldnl
Learning Outside the Classroom http://www.lotc.org.uk/