Introduction
Bersham and Nant Mill Waterfalls are two lovely waterfalls tucked away within Plas Power Woods in Wrexham, making this a great spot to explore if you enjoy woodland walks and discovering lesser-known waterfalls. With two waterfalls to discover within the same woodland, this is a lovely little spot to explore if you enjoy finding quieter places surrounded by nature.
In this guide, I’ll explain where to park, how to find both waterfalls, what the walk is like and what to expect when you reach them.
Quick Verdict of Bersham & Nant Mill Waterfalls
If you are looking for a walk that combines woodland scenery with not just one but two waterfalls, Bersham and Nant Mill are well worth adding to your list. Plas Power Woods provides a peaceful setting, and being able to discover two different waterfalls within the same area makes this a really enjoyable place to explore.
It is a great option if you enjoy exploring quieter areas and finding waterfalls that you may not have come across before. If you are visiting the Wrexham area and want to spend some time surrounded by woodland and nature, I think this is well worth a visit.
Key Information
- Waterfall Height: Bersham – no official height recorded | Nant Mill – 2.5 metres/8 feet
- Waterfall Type: Bersham – multi-tiered artificial cascade | Nant Mill – restored weir/cascade
- Starting Point: Bersham, LL14 4LL (as detailed below)
- Parking: Free on road parking opposite St Mary’s Plas Power Church | what3words turntable.friends.brighter
- Public Transport: Bus available to Coedpoeth or Wrexham (1-3 miles away)
- Walk: 1 mile/1.6km return
- Time: 2 minutes to Bersham Waterfall, 15 minutes to Nant Mill Waterfall. Allow 1-2 hours.
- Difficulty: Easy
- Accessibility: Not suitable for wheelchairs
- Family Friendly: Yes
- Dogs: Yes
- Swimming: Yes
- Toilets: No
Where to Park for Bersham & Nant Mill Waterfalls
You can park for free along the road opposite St Mary’s Plas Power Church. Alternatively, you can park at Nant Mill Visitor Centre, where parking costs £1. Parking at the visitor centre will bring you into the opposite side of the walking route, so either option works depending on which direction you would prefer to start the walk from.
Tip: Save the parking location and route directions on your phone, or take a printed copy with you, as phone signal can be spotty.
Bersham & Nant Mill Walk
I parked opposite St Mary’s Plas Power Church and then walked left, past the information sign shown in the photograph below. From here, it is less than a two-minute walk to the little wooden bridge beside Bersham Waterfall.
Do take care when crossing the bridge. When I visited, part of the wooden walkway had rotted away and there was a gap that I had to carefully step over. Conditions can change, so make sure you check the bridge before crossing.
After stopping to admire Bersham Waterfall, continue along the route through the woodland. The walk to Nant Mill Waterfall took me around 10–15 minutes, with the path taking you through the trees alongside the River Clywedog.
As you get closer to Nant Mill Waterfall, you will hear the water before you see it. If you reach the stepping stones, you have gone slightly too far for the main waterfall viewpoint. There is a short but steep path down to the rocks at the bottom of the waterfall if you want to get a closer view.
Once you have spent some time enjoying Nant Mill Waterfall, you can either continue exploring Plas Power Woods or simply retrace your steps back to the car.
Accessibility: Unfortunately, this route is not suitable for wheelchairs. There are uneven and potentially slippery sections along the route, as well as the steep section down towards Nant Mill Waterfall.
Bersham & Nant Mill Waterfalls
Bersham Waterfall
Bersham Waterfall is a little different from many of the waterfalls I have visited because it is actually a man-made weir on the River Clywedog, rather than a natural waterfall. I think that makes it quite an interesting one to come across while walking through Plas Power Woods.
When I visited in May, the water level was fairly low, but there was still a lovely wide flow spreading across the stone weir. Surrounded by the trees and greenery of the woodland, it makes for a really peaceful spot to stop and take in, even though it isn’t a huge dramatic waterfall.
What makes Bersham Waterfall even more interesting is its history. The weir was built around 1779 as part of the water-power system connected to the Bersham Ironworks. The area was once a major centre of industry, so there is a lot more history here than you might realise while walking through the woods today.
I really liked the fact that Bersham Falls is so different from Nant Mill further along the route. It has its own character, and it is definitely worth stopping to see rather than simply walking past it.
Nant Mill Waterfall
Nant Mill Waterfall has much more of that classic woodland waterfall feel, with the water flowing over the wide weir into the pool below, surrounded by mossy rocks, trees and lush greenery.
When I visited in May, the woodland was looking particularly beautiful, with the fresh green leaves making the whole area feel bright and peaceful. The waterfall isn’t enormous, but I actually think its setting is what makes it special. It feels tucked away among the trees, and it is a lovely place to stop and enjoy the sound of the water.
The waterfall is part of the wider Nant Mill and Plas Power Woods area, which follows the River Clywedog and has a fascinating industrial history. Nant Mill itself was once a working corn mill, dating from 1832, and relied on water from the Clywedog to operate.
For me, Nant Mill is the prettier of the two waterfalls and probably the one I would spend the longest at. It actually ranks as one of my favourite waterfalls for the mixture of its beauty and how the surrounding tree canopy makes you feel like you’ve entered another world. If you enjoy woodland, nature and peaceful waterfall spots, this is definitely one to take your time over rather than rushing through.
Swimming at Bersham & Nant Mill Waterfalls
You may see people swimming or taking a dip at Nant Mill Waterfall, particularly during the warmer months, and the pool at the bottom of the waterfall can certainly look tempting on a warm day.
However, I wouldn’t describe either Bersham or Nant Mill as designated swimming spots. Nant Mill has uneven, slippery rocks, changing water levels and flowing water to be aware of. Bersham Falls is different, as it is a man-made weir, but there are still risks from the water, rocks and currents.
If you do decide to enter the water, take care and make sure you are aware of the conditions on the day. Water levels can change after rainfall and rocks around the falls can be extremely slippery. Never swim alone and avoid getting too close to the waterfall or weir itself.
The pool at Nant Mill, pictured above, is particularly inviting, but I would still treat it as a wild swimming location rather than somewhere specifically provided or maintained for swimming.
If you’re considering swimming here, please read my Wild Swimming at Waterfalls guide before getting in. It covers some of the risks to consider and practical advice for staying safe around natural swimming spots.
Interesting Facts and Wildlife
Plas Power Woods has a fascinating history, and the woodland around Bersham and Nant Mill is closely linked to the industrial past of the Clywedog Valley. The area was once home to industries including lead mining and the famous Bersham Ironworks, with the old waggonway running through the valley to transport materials to the ironworks.
The River Clywedog runs through Plas Power Woods and the surrounding woodland is also recognised for its nature and wildlife. If you are visiting in spring, keep an eye out for bluebells, wood anemones and wood sorrel growing across the woodland floor, while other plants including yellow archangel, wild raspberry and bracken can be found at different times of the year.
Wildlife lovers should also keep an eye out around the river and woodland. Kingfishers have been recorded in the area, while orange-tip butterflies and a variety of woodland plants add even more interest to the walk. With the River Clywedog, mature woodland and plenty of vegetation surrounding the waterfalls, there is lots to look out for beyond Bersham and Nant Mill Falls themselves.
Facilities and Nearby Attractions
There are no toilet facilities at the waterfalls themselves. There is a toilet block at the car park, but this appeared to be closed when I visited, so I would recommend not relying on it being available.
The Nant Mill Visitor Centre was also closed when I visited, so facilities in this area are limited. It is worth making sure you have everything you need before starting the walk.
If you want to explore more of the area, Wrexham is nearby and has plenty of cafés, pubs, shops and supermarkets, making it a useful place to stop before or after visiting the waterfalls.
Best Time to Visit Bersham and Nant Mill Waterfalls
I visited Bersham and Nant Mill Waterfalls in May. The woodland was looking lovely with plenty of fresh greenery, making it a really nice time to explore Plas Power Woods.
However, the water level at Bersham Falls was particularly low when I visited compared with some of the photographs I have seen of it. If you want to see Bersham Falls at its most impressive, I would recommend visiting after a good amount of rainfall when the water is flowing more strongly.
Nant Mill Falls can still be worth visiting even when water levels are lower, but if seeing both waterfalls with plenty of water is important to you, checking the weather and recent rainfall before you go would be a good idea.
Responsible Waterfall Visiting and Safety
Please visit waterfalls responsibly.
Waterfalls can be beautiful places to explore, but they can also be unpredictable. Rocks, paths and viewing areas can become extremely slippery, especially after wet weather. Water levels and river conditions can change quickly, so always use common sense and take extra care around fast flowing water, steep drops and uneven ground.
Please follow the Countryside Code, leave no trace of your visit and take all litter home with you. Respect local communities, livestock, wildlife and any access restrictions that may be in place.
Before visiting, check local conditions and remember that you are responsible for your own safety.
I’ve put together a collection of practical resources to help you plan and enjoy your waterfall trips. From what to pack and how to find new waterfalls to wild swimming safety, you can browse all of my waterfall resources here.
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I do my best to keep every waterfall guide up to date, but things can change. Car parks close, paths get diverted, access arrangements change and facilities sometimes disappear.
If you’ve recently visited this waterfall and spotted any changes, please let me know. Whether it’s updated parking information, a damaged footpath, new access restrictions or anything else that could help future visitors, I’d love to hear from you.
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