Grey Mare's Tail, Conwy

The Grey Mare's Tail is a waterfall on the very edge of the Snowdonia National Park near Gwydir Castle in the county of Conwy, north Wales. It lies just off the B5106 road between the town of Llanrwst and the large village of Trefriw. The Welsh name, Rhaeadr y Parc Mawr, derives from the fact that the falls are fed by a large stream that has its source in the Gwydir Forest, and flows through the old Parc Mine, about a mile to the southeast. The name 'Grey Mare's Tail' was given to it by Lady Willoughby of Gwydir Castle, possibly "in compliment to Lord Byron and the Staubbach" In all there are some ten types of waterfall, a horsetail being described as a fall where the descending water maintains some contact with bedrock.Despite its name, this waterfall actually comprises two cascades, the water flowing around both sides of a large rock at the top. However this was possibly not always the case—in 1895 Francis Frith published a postcard showing the "White Mare's Tail Cascade, Llanrwst". Although only showing a single waterfall—as opposed to today's twin cascades—it is probable from the woodland setting that this is indeed the same location.