R.O.F Wrexham.

The Royal Ordnance Factory operating throughout WWII, covering 1,400 acres'
producing solventless cordite, which was an explosive propellant used in shells .
Served by an extensive internal railway system branching from the former
Cambrian railways line between Ellesmere and Wrexham.
Numerous pill boxes and other defensive structures stand around the site.
Closed in 1945, the buildings remain intact but derelict.
Post war, the site was adapted for re-use as Wrexham Industrial Estate.

[@pentre21]

Had reason to walk this area due to work in the 90s, at that time there were dangers due to deep chambers with rotten roofs and over grown with vegetation so be careful. I believe the original , nearby , water treatment works of Llwyn onn was built in a hurry to supply this site.

[@nicholasjones7312]

In the late 1960’s I lived in the Pentre Maelor Council Housing Estate within Wrexham Trading Estate as a kid and we used to play in many of these old buildings. We even used to find tadpoles in what was a gents floor urinal! Most of them were used as cow sheds/shelters and their concrete floors were a great source of manure for the roses for the locals. Many of these buildings were demolished when the Industrial Estate undertook a large expansion in to the Wrexham Industrial Estate in the 1980’s and 90’s and for the more recent HMP Berwyn super-prison. However, there are still some buildings remaining, as shown in this video. Some buildings also survive as industrial units and offices.

[@DMCProduction68]

Thanks for the useful info.

[@richardtaylor8312]

My later Mother from Wrexham, was called up-conscripted, to work in the ammunition factories in Marchwiel.
I can only imagine the sights and sounds that confronted her in those vast, isolated almost underground, individual “factories”
Confronted with constant danger from a variety of sources. Anyone “exploring” these important sites should do so with an understanding how important to this nation those buildings were at that time, and have a deep respect for all those people who were there.

[@DMCProduction68]

I totally agree, I imagine they weren't the safest of places to work.

Evocative use of soundtrack :) Was that a tramp and his bike at 5m50 ? I've visited the ROF at Chorley in the past (Euxton, if memory serves). I expext that's been cleared for industrial estates as well, by now.

[@andrewjones1866]

Someone lift up the blocked underground tunnels by it a tractor with a front loader might do it

[@MelinW0nderland]

do you know if this is still there?

[@DMCProduction68]

Yes as far as I know

[@Dan-qu8qs]

Yes still there.

[@MelinW0nderland]

@@Dan-qu8qs do you know where?

[@Dan-qu8qs]

Wrexham industrial estate. Outer ring road, park up near the old barclays bank, most likely muddy this time of year but not a hard walk. There's an old rectangular pond like construction that people used to fish in but nothing in there since I last sent.

[@MelinW0nderland]

@@Dan-qu8qs thank you so much!

[@cianroberts7293]

Hi, where is this location please

[@Dan-qu8qs]

Wrexham industrial estate. Park up by the old bank and walk straight into the grounds.