Aberglaslyn Hall Outdoor Learning Centre

Following a survey of the woodland surrounding Aberglaslyn Hall, the area has been incorporated into a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) comprising areas of woodland from north of Beddgelert to south of Aberglaslyn Hall. The declaration is made by The Countryside Council for Wales, the Welsh equivalent of English Nature.

The site is of importance because of its geographical and biological features.

Within the woodlands, there is a carpet of mosses and liverworts, extending up over boulders, over the roots and bases of trees and onto the faces of rock ledges. Eight nationally scarce mosses have been recorded and two nationally scarce liverworts. There are lichens, including a number of nationally scarce species, on well-lit trees associated with open areas and at the woodland margins.

A nursery roost of lesser horseshoe bats occurs on the periphery of the woodland. The woodland edges and lines of trees form important navigational flight lines for the bats. Pipistrelle bats have two large nursery roosts nearby (including one in the roof space at Aberglaslyn Hall).