Today, the homes in the Conwy Valley receive their water from this lake. Located 2,000 feet above sea-level on the top of Moel-Ddu, Pen Bedw, the lake's perimeter is 3 miles long and there is a small island within 150 yards of the perimeter. The water has to travel around 35 miles before reaching the sea.

Conwy Lake

Volcano

Tradition holds that at one time Carrog Mountain was a volcano. Perhaps the area around Beniarth, with so many rocks in the fields and mountains, gives credence to this legend.

This is Beniarth Street, Cwm Penmachno. This was a busy place, with a public house named The Beniarth Arms. There was also a shop run by John Roberts, and a business run by Pugh and John Jones, selling petrol and hiring taxis.

Beniarth Street

Beniarth Street

Beniarth again, with the large rocks very much in evidence. Beniarth stands a couple of yards from the riverside which means that on a stormy night the inhabitants must have been disturbed by the sound of the river whistling past their windows.

Let us now take a closer look at the boulders on the mountainside. Were these boulders thrown out of some ancient volcano? Others say that the Celts of yesteryear threw these boulders down at the Romans from the top of the mountain! Legend also says that the Romans were caught in "Bryn Dal" which is now known as "Bryn Eidal".

Mountain Boulders

Robert William's Lake

A short distance down from Beniarth is a pool known as "Robert William's" Lake. Cwm's children would bathe in this "lake" during the summer months, and some Quarry workers would also wash here after a hard day's work.

Further down again, we catch a glimpse of Llechwedd Hafod Farm, which is a very busy farm.

Llechwedd Hafod

Rhyd y Gro Bridge

The river has now reached Rhyd-y-Gro Bridge. Near the bridge is a road taking you to Pen Bedw mountain, where lies a plentiful source of nut trees - inhabitants of Cwm would often go there for a quick snack!