Ashley Jones Field
King George V Field (Hirael)
Wartski Field
Bangor Mountain
Menai Woods
Roman Camp
Dargie Recreation Ground

The Bible Garden
College Park
Pier Garden
Port Park
King George V Field (Glannada)
Playground and Playing Fields (at Hirael)

Ashley Jones was a prominent Bangor solicitor before the Second World War. On his death, his executors fulfilled his wishes in making bequests to the City Council enabling them to acquire the Fields. The fields consist of meadows sloping down to the Straits. A lookout point with seats and parking can be found along Siliwen Road. During the (Bangor) Eisteddfod in 1931 a stone circle and table were erected as part of the celebrations. Paths at several points lead down to the shore where the old outdoor Siliwen Baths were located. The old Bath House remains, the walled baths have since been in filled.

A plan of the site can be seen here

Related Links: Fields In Trust
Near to: Kings Head | Dickies Boat Yard (est. 1868 as A.M. Dickie & Sons)

Plaque Reads: Donated to the City of Bangor by Winifred Marie Wartski in memory of her husband Isidore Wartski 1879-1965. Mayor of Bangor 1939-41. The Earth is the Lord's and the fulness thereof.

The Wartski family were famous Polish/Jewish entrepreneurial retailers selling jewellery, antiques, art and later fashion. The family settled in Bangor establishing the jewellery business in 1865 (founded by Morris Wartski). The business continues today in London (link). At it's height in Bangor Wartskis occupied the Debenhams building.

Views to: Menai Strait
Near to: Menai View Terrace | Menai Woods (see below)

Bangor Mountain is a scarp face of a hill at the south eastern boundary of the valley in which Bangor sits.

Though not a mountain in the true sense of the word (at 384 feet in height) it is so called because of the way it rears up behind Bangor and appears mountainous, especially from the Glan Adda, High Street and Hirael areas of the city.

Bangor Mountain is much less precipitous on its southern side. Along a substantial part of the crest of the mountain is Bangor Golf Club—more properly St Deiniol's Golf Club. Because of the shape of the mountain, the golf course is linear and crosses some lanes and minor roads.

There are several rocky outcrops at high points on the mountain providing panoramic views of the city centre, the Menai Strait and over to the east of Angelsey, including the town of Beaumaris. This is probably the best location from which to see the buildings of the University of Wales, Bangor and the cathedral.

Along the side of the high street, the scarp slope is nearly vertical and clothed with a diverse ecology of mixed woods, open grassland and extensive areas of gorse.

Bangor Mountain provides the main southern watershed for the River Adda, the principal river flowing through Bangor. However, as the river has now been culverted throughout its whole length in the built up area of the city, it is little known to the city's population.

The mountain sadly suffers from arson in the Spring and Summer seasons . BBC News item on Bangor fires 22/04/2007

Views to: Bangor City, Beaumaris/Angelsey
Managed by: Bangor Town Council

Tablet at the enterance to the wood (from Holyhead Road - Bangor end) reads: Menai Woods Coronation Gift 1953. The Freehold of the land occupied by these woods was conveyed to the City of Bangor by Sir Michael Duff of Vaynol Park. To commemorate the Coronation of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II on the 2nd June 1953. This tablet was unveiled by his worship the Mayor of Bangor Alderman Hugh J. Jones J.P. October 1953.

Views to: Menai Strait
Managed by: Bangor Town Council
Near to: Menai View Terrace | Wartski Field (see above)

To get there take the path which starts near the post box at the junction of Love Lane and Upper Garth Road. Look out for the light blue gate and information board. Access points can also be found from Siliwen road and Meirion Lane.

After walking up the path and emerging from the trees, try to imaging the busy twelfth century fort which once occupied the hilltop. It's name, Roman Camp might be a bit misleading, for it's believed that the Normans not the Romans, settled to this site. Today though, the site is a peaceful wildlife heaven covering 7.5 hectares, and is woven with footpaths which you are invited to ramble along. Expansive views of the Isle of Angelsey, the Menai Strait and the Snowdonia mountain range makes the effort all worth while.
The Countryside Council for Wales has notified part of Roman Camp as a site of Special Scientific Interest to protect it's unique range of wildlife.

The ruins at Roman Camp lead us to believe that Hugh D'Avranches, Earl of Chester built The fort at the beginning of the twelfth century. It is consistent with the Norman motte and bailey castle design which was used in that era. The old fort was well positioned with expansive views of the surrounding countryside, so that enemy advances from miles away would be noticed.

Walking along the top path above Siliwen Road, two different woodland types can be seen. On the slopes the soil is thin and acidic, it favours sessile oak, where it has grown over a ground layer dominated by wood rush; hidden away is the rare local Whitebeam, found only along the Menai Strait. Above the path the soils deepen and the woodland character changes to bramble and bracken under a canopy dominated by sycamore, with occasional oak, ash and birch. Dense blackthorn thickets have developed on the margins with the open grassland. Because Roman Camp is a mixture of open scrub land and mature woodland it attracts many different species of plants, birds and animals.

Features inc : Information Board
Views to: North Wales coast to the Great Orme, Penrhyn Port, the Islands of Angelsey and 'Puffin' and the Snowdonia Mountain Range, Menai Bridge.
Managed by: Gwynedd County Council (Technical Services Dept - 01286 672255)
Near to: Bangor Pier | Ashley Jones Field (see above)

Approach by Princes Road or College Road. A mound with weaving paths providing an opportunity to look out onto the Menai Straits from the built up Upper Bangor.

Sadly the ground is consistently in a poor state of repair with broken seats, evidence of several fires and litter including broken glass.

College Park

Gated enterance from the roundabout at the bottom of Love Lane. Features good paths and lighting, established trees and open grass sections.

Pier Garden

Port Park

Accessed from Beach Road with pillared enterance from divided pavement / cycle path. Features include a route around the outside of the park through establish woodland with views to Port Penrhyn and Bangor Bay.

King George V Field (Glannada)

A King George's Field (See King George's Field above).

Related Links: National Playing Fields Association

Playground and Playing Fields (between Hirael and Garth)