Elan Valley Visitor Centre and Reservoirs, Elan Valley, Rhayader
Details
Accessibility
"Easy Disabled Access", Disability Parking
Disability Toilets
Brief description
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elan_Valley
"The Elan Valley (Welsh: Cwm Elan) is a river valley situated to the west of Rhayader, in Powys, Wales, sometimes known as the "Welsh Lake District". It covers 70 square miles (180 km2) of lake and countryside.
The valley contains the Elan Valley Reservoirs and Elan Village, designed by architect Herbert Tudor Buckland as part of the same scheme. Elan Village is the only purpose-built Arts and Crafts "Model Village" in Wales.
It is also famous for its picturesque scenery. Over 80% of the valley is designated as Sites of Special Scientific Interest, and a popular cycle trail, the Elan Valley Trail, makes a loop from Rhayader around the reservoirs. Part of the trail overlaps with a spur of National Cycle Route 81 (Lon Cambria).
As of 2015 it is an International Dark Sky Park.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elan_Valley_Reservoirs
The Elan Valley Reservoirs are a chain of man-made lakes created from damming the Elan and Claerwen rivers within the Elan Valley in Mid Wales. The reservoirs, which were built by the Birmingham Corporation Water Department, provide clean drinking water for Birmingham in the West Midlands of England. The five lakes are known as the Claerwen, Craig-goch, Pen-y-garreg, Garreg-ddu, and Caban-coch.[2] "
Address
Elan Valley Trust, Elan Estate Office, Elan Village, Rhayader, Powys, LD6 5HP
Elan Valley Visitor Centre, Elan Valley, Rhayader, Powys, LD6 5HP
Phone
Website
https://www.elanvalley.org.uk/visit
https://www.visitmidwales.co.uk/Rhayader-Elan-Valley-Visitor-Centre/details/?dms=3&venue=1011945
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-64763871
Directions
2023: "Car Parking
Entrance to the Visitor Centre is free, and the £3.00 parking charge covers you for the whole of the Estate’s car parks, all day.
We have introduced new parking controls at Elan Valley with continuous monitoring (Automatic Number Plate Recognition) and new options to pay. This will make it an easier and quicker experience, giving you more time to enjoy the stunning Elan Valley.
Visitors by car can pay by cash or card at the Visitor Centre or via the machines by credit/debit card. Parking may also be booked and paid for on a mobile device using the NexusPay-GroupNexus app (downloadable via QR codes on site).
Regular visitors may purchase an annual parking pass for a single vehicle for £35.00 which will give unlimited parking for that vehicle on the site for one year.
Dŵr Cymru Welsh Water continues to provide fantastic facilities for visitors to enjoy. For this to continue, we need to have car parking charges at our visitor attractions. Income will be used to service the sites, ensuring they are kept to an exceptional standard and provide a clean and well-maintained environment."
Opening Times
Always check with the venue directly for up-to-date information including opening times and admission charges as they may be subject to change
2023; "The Elan Valley Visitor Centre is operated by Dŵr Cymru Welsh Water and is set in a fantastic location against a spectacular backdrop of a Victorian stone dam. April to October 9am – 5pm, November – March 10am – 4pm. The perfect starting point for your visit to the area. There’s something for everyone.
We’re open all year except for Christmas Day."
Transport
For further travel information in Wales please see: www.traveline.cymru/travel-info
Or call Traveline Cymru on 0800 464 0000
Amenities
Visitor Centre: "Your first stop in the Elan Valley, with a café, shop, exhibition centre, information hub, cycle hire and much more.
Information Desk
Gift Shop
Cafe
Bike Hire
Exhibition Area
Easy Disabled Access
Car and Coach Parking
Children’s Play Area
Large Picnic Area
Dog-friendly"
And "Penbont House Tearoom and B&B https://penbonthouse.co.uk/ Penbont House, Elan Valley, Rhayader, LD6 5HS, 01597 811515, info@penbonthouse.co.uk
Treat yourself to a delicious afternoon tea in a scenic location in the heart of the Elan Estate. Getting here:
Penbont House is situated within the Elan Valley, in the county of Powys in mid-Wales, just a couple of hours from Birmingham and Cardiff. We can be accessed easily from the nearby town of RHAYADER.
From RHAYADER follow the B4518 west out of the town, following the BROWN TOURIST SIGNS FOR THE ELAN VALLEY / ELAN VALLEY VISITOR CENTRE.
Keep on this road for approximately 7.5 MILES, DO NOT FOLLOW SAT NAV – this will take you the long way around. Penbont House is situated on the bends after Penbont bridge and car park.
FOR SAT NAV users please note the postcode LD6 5HS – this takes you the long way around to a farm to the north west of Penbont House. Therefore depending on if the sat nav brings you from the north of the reservoirs or south from the Visitor Centre, you will need to be mindful. From the north you will need to go 3 miles further than the sat nav suggests, from the south you will reach Penbont House before the sat nav suggests – when you reach the humpback bridge you are at the first car park.
GOOGLE MAP has Penbont House Tea Rooms and Bed & Breakfast correctly annotated."
Travel Information
For further travel information in Wales please see: www.traveline.cymru/travel-info
Or call Traveline Cymru on 0800 464 0000
Location
Nearest Venues
Nantgwyllt Church, Rhayader, Cwmdauddwr, Powys
1.25 miles*
2.90 miles*
St Gwrthwl's Church, Llanwrthwl, Powys
3.01 miles*
Bridge over the River Wye, Llanwrthwl, Powys
3.02 miles*
*Distances are calculated in a straight line from the current venue, please allow extra time/distance based on available paths or roads.