Henrhyd Falls - South Wales Waterfall Diorama

Scale: 1:250 Status: completed

Capturing Wales’ Tallest Waterfall in Miniature

Location Inspired: Henrhyd Falls, Brecon Beacons (Bannau Brycheiniog) National Park, Powys
Real-World Height: 27 meters (90 feet) - tallest in South Wales
Diorama Scale: 1:250
Base Size: 25cm × 25cm
Status: Completed November 2025

Project Overview

Henrhyd Falls cascades dramatically through the wooded Graig Llech Gorge in the Brecon Beacons National Park. This diorama captures the dramatic verticality of Wales’ tallest southern waterfall, the moss-covered rocky cliffs, and the ancient woodland that thrives in this temperate rainforest microclimate. The falls gained international fame as the filming location for the Batcave entrance in The Dark Knight Rises.

Key Features:

Dramatic 27-meter waterfall represented at 1:250 scale (~11cm drop)
Steep rocky cliff face with layered rock formations
Hidden path winding behind the falls
Dense Welsh woodland - sessile oak, ash, alder
Moss and fern-covered boulders
Cascading water effects over rocky pool

The Real Henrhyd Falls

Location: Henrhyd, Coelbren, Powys, SA10 9PH
Height: 27 meters - the tallest waterfall in South Wales
Setting: Graig Llech Gorge, Bannau Brycheiniog (Brecon Beacons) National Park

The area is characterized by ancient woodland thriving in the moist, shaded environment created by the gorge and waterfall spray - a rare temperate rainforest microclimate in the UK. Sessile oak and ash dominate the canopy, with alder and willow near the riverbanks. The forest floor is rich with mosses, liverworts, ferns, wood sorrel, wild garlic, and seasonal bluebells. Lichens and mosses grow abundantly on tree trunks and rocks, indicating exceptionally clean air and high humidity.

Diorama Design & Planning

Scale Considerations

Scale: 1:250
Base Size: 25cm × 25cm (representing approximately 62.5m × 62.5m real-world area)
Waterfall Height: ~11cm (representing 27m actual drop)

Composition Planning

Waterfall Position: Center-top, with 16cm wide cliff section
Stream Path: Runs diagonally from waterfall pool toward bottom-left with rocky cascades
Pathway: Curves from mid-right to top-right, leading behind the falls
Foliage Zones: Dense tree clusters along top and right edges for framing
Rock Features: Large boulders concentrated on left side for elevation contrast

Reference Research

Extensive photographic research documented authentic Welsh geology, woodland characteristics, and water behavior:

Waterfall & Water: 8 reference images studying flow patterns, spray effects, pool formation
Landscape Views: 22 reference images capturing the gorge, cliff formations, and overall scene composition
Rock Formations: 11 reference images of Welsh coastal and inland rock strata, geological folds, limestone formations
Welsh Woodland: 17 reference images documenting ancient oak/ash forests, beech woodlands, and temperate rainforest characteristics
AI Design Studies: 4 conceptual renderings exploring composition and scale representation

Build Approach

This project documentation follows an iterative build log structure, capturing the authentic journey from concept to completion.

Build Timeline

October 23, 2025 - November 2025 (approximately 3 weeks)

Construction Journey

Build Log #001: Concept, Research & Base Construction

Timeline: 23 October - 2 November 2025

The project began with an AI concept illustration to validate scale feasibility. Research extended to collecting 62 reference images across five categories: AI design studies, waterfall flow patterns, Henrhyd Falls site photos, Welsh rock formations, and ancient woodland character. The base construction involved creating a cooked paper pulp mixture (shredded paper, flour, water, vinegar, PVA, filler) that proved highly successful after initial cracking problems. Critical lesson: build in thin 2-3cm layers with thorough drying between applications. The 25×25cm plywood base supports 18cm of vertical terrain representing the dramatic gorge.

Key Achievement: Established successful paper pulp technique; validated 1:250 scale would work

Build Log #002: Rock Cliff Formation & Geological Layers

[TODO: Add narrative when Build Log 2 is completed]

Focus: Carving and texturing the vertical cliff face with authentic Welsh sedimentary layering

Build Log #003: Waterfall Construction & Water Effects

[TODO: Add narrative when Build Log 3 is completed]

Focus: Creating the 10cm waterfall drop using clear resin and cotton batting for spray effects

Build Log #004: Welsh Woodland Vegetation & Temperate Rainforest

[TODO: Add narrative when Build Log 4 is completed]

Focus: Building sessile oak and ash trees with wire armatures; moss-covered forest floor

Build Log #005: Pathway Behind Falls & Final Details

[TODO: Add narrative when Build Log 5 is completed]

Focus: Adding the famous hidden pathway and atmospheric finishing touches

Build Log #006: Weathering, Photography & Completion

[TODO: Add narrative when Build Log 6 is completed]

Focus: Final weathering, project photography, and reflection on techniques learned

Techniques & Materials

Key Construction Phases

Planning & Research - 62 photographic references collected and analyzed with AI assistance
Base Construction - 4mm plywood with cooked paper pulp terrain (shredded paper, flour, water, vinegar, PVA, filler)
Rock Cliff Formation - Vertical terrain and geological layering
Waterfall & Water Effects - Cascading water and pool creation
Woodland Vegetation - Trees, ferns, moss application
Final Detailing - Path, weathering, finishing touches

Build Logs

Detailed build progress documented in seven build log entries:

Photo Gallery

Historical & Cultural Context

Henrhyd Falls is located on the Nant Llech river near Coelbren in the Brecon Beacons. The 27-meter drop makes it the highest waterfall in South Wales. The site is managed by the National Trust and is a popular destination for hikers exploring the Bannau Brycheiniog National Park.

The falls gained international recognition as a filming location for Christopher Nolan’s The Dark Knight Rises (2012), where the dramatic plunge and hidden ledge behind the waterfall served as the entrance to the Batcave.

The surrounding ancient woodland represents a precious temperate rainforest ecosystem - rare in the UK and supporting exceptional biodiversity due to the constant moisture from waterfall spray and the sheltered gorge environment.

Gallery

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