Penllergare Valley Woods PEN.060 __________________________________________________________________________________________
with the Llewelyn’s pioneering development of photography resulting in some of the frst photographs of the moon. Today, the observatory is the second oldest equatorial observatory in Wales. •
Physics; Penllergare was the site of the pioneering experiments in electricity, in particular one of the frst demonstrations in the world of an electrically propelled boat.
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Natural History; Penllergare contributed to Lewis Weston Dillwyn’s study on the Flora and Fauna of Swansea, and his 1805 Botanists’ Guide.
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Horticulture; the passion of the Llewellyns for gardening, planting and cultivation placed the landscape at the forefront of horticultural science, exemplifed by the pioneering design of an orchid house that received national coverage by the horticultural press.
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Botany; connections with some of the leading nurserymen, plant collectors and directors of Kew gave Penllergare a link with the latest plant introductions into the UK, in particular, newly discovered rhododendrons.
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Industry: Penllergare was the home of the Cambrian pottery works entrepreneur, Lewis Weston Dillwyn at the time of its very highest quality production (and subsequently with Lewis Llewelyn Dillwyn for Etruscan ware); the landscape’s geology lent itself to mineral exploitation with clay excavation and the later coal mining which contributed signifcantly to the character and spread of the modern local urban landscape.
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Engineering; the creation of the lakes and waterfalls were examples of the Victorians’ incredible drive for projects on a grand scale, built with durability and apparent effortlessness to create a dramatic natural landscape.
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Wildlife Value Penllergare Valley Woods supports a number of natural habitats and offers visitors a valued opportunity to observe and enjoy wildlife. Of particular importance for the ecological signifcance of the site are veteran trees, rhos grassland, river habitats, ancient woodland sites and adjacent SSSI.
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Cultural Value
__________________________________________________________________________________________ The Penllergare Trust 55 Nicholas Pearson Associates Ltd. Conservation Management Plan