Rising in the nearby Clocaenog Forest (grid reference SJ045535), the river flows due south up to Melin-y-Wig, when it suddenly changes direction north-eastwards:[1] After flowing in a generally southerly direction from Waen Ganol to Melin-y-Wig, the river turns abruptly eastwards to flow through a deep, narrow gorge north of Moel Clegyr, swings north and northeast round Dinas and then continues on a course somewhat north of east below Derwen ...[2]The village once had its own school, but in the mid-1960s, it was decided to close it in favour of the primary school in Betws Gwerful Goch.
Melin-y-Wig is noted for a Welsh nursery rhyme about it: Bachgen bach o Felin-y-wig, welodd o 'rioed damaid o gig; Gwelodd falwen ar y bwrdd, cipiodd ei gap a rhedodd i ffwrdd.
This translates as: A little boy from Melin-y-wig, he never saw a morsel of meat; He saw a snail on the table, he snatched his hat and ran away.
The monument has helped understanding of later prehistoric defensive organisation and settlement.
[5] This article incorporates text published under the British Open Government Licence: "Scheduled Monuments- Full Report – Dinas Melin-y-Wig".