Welsh Water operates 91 reservoirs varying in size from 2 to 1,026 acres. These include a national portfolio of Visitor Attractions known as ‘Welsh Water Adventures’.
They are hubs for health, wellbeing and recreation. They reconnect people with water and the environment, whilst maintaining, protecting and enhancing the ecological value of each site.
Come and experience every type of benefit that being close to water has to offer at one of our Visitor Attractions. Each has its own unique personality yet all have health, well-being and recreation at its heart.
So climb on board, cast a line, take a walk, gaze at the sky, get on your bike or grab a bite at...
Elan Valley
Mid Wales
Part of the rugged Cambrian Mountains, the Elan Valley sprawls across 72 square miles of outstanding scenic beauty. The unspoilt landscapes, home to thriving plant and wildlife are made even more compelling by the Victorian dams, reservoirs and welcoming Visitor Centre. An International Dark Sky Park, Elan Valley’s natural beauty shines bright day and night.
Walking
Elan Valley is one of the most popular places to go walking in Wales. There is open access over most of the estate and over eighty miles of designated rights of way.
Cycling
The Elan Valley offers a variety of cycling opportunities, from the 13 km Elan Valley Trail to a challenging 29km mountain bike loop. A mountain bike skills area is also available.
Ranger Tours & Dam Open Days
Find out more about the Elan Valley on a bespoke tour with a ranger or venture inside a dam on a dam open day.
Stargazing
Elan Valley is a popular visitor attraction for astronomers and stargazers as it is a dark sky park, protected against light pollution.
Fishing
Find out more about the range of fishing available at Elan Valley here.
There is a visitor centre offering café, shop, room hire with a bike hub nearby.
The café offers freshly prepared food and drinks with vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free options available.
The shop stocks gifts made by local artists as well as books, maps, jewellery, pottery and stunning prints by local photographers – plus exclusive Elan Valley merchandise.
With a number of rooms for hire and catering options, Elan Valley could be just the place to get the most out of your awayday, meeting or conference.
The Bike Hub is located next to the Visitor Centre offering children’s and adult bikes, including e-bikes and trailers, for hire.
Elan Valley offers an unforgettable setting for a dream wedding with the iconic Pen y Garreg Dam providing a stunning backdrop for your special day.
There are six designated parking bays outside the visitor centre.
There is level access to the visitor centre reception.
From reception there is level access to toilets, exhibition, shop, meeting rooms and the café.
There is a single unisex accessible toilet includes handrails and a baby changing table.
Wheelchair available – please ask at reception.
The 70 square miles of moorland, bog, woodland, river and reservoir are of national importance for their diversity of lower plants (mosses, liverworts and lichens) and the estate generally is one of the most important sites in Wales for birds.
Protected Environments:
Claerwen National Nature Reserve
Coetiroedd Cwm Elan / Elan Valley Woodlands Special Areas Of Conservation
Elenydd Special Area Of Conservation
Carngafallt Reserve (RSPB)
Twelve Sites of Special Scientific Interest
Dark Sky Park
Elan Valley is situated in the county of Powys in mid-Wales, just a couple of hours from Birmingham and Cardiff. The nearest town is Rhayader.
Visitor Centre Grid Reference:
Visitor Centre what3words:
Google Maps:
https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=52.26942850195858%2C-3.5724266060850844 (opens in a new window)
There is ample car parking on site with six designated parking spaces just outside the visitor centre.
The £3.00 parking charge covers all of the Estate’s car parks, all day. 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.
Elan Valley Visitor Centre
Elan Valley
Rhayader
Powys
LD6 5HP
01597 810880
elanvalley@dwrcymru.com
Opening times are seasonal. Check out the website (opens in a new tab) for details.
Llandegfedd Lake Usk
South Wales
Watersports
Llandegfedd offers one of the best watersports experiences in Wales with sailing, windsurfing, stand-up paddleboarding, canoeing and kayaking.
Land Adventures
Axe-throwing and archery are also available, perfect for mates or family day out, corporate team building, birthday party or even a first date!
Open Water Swimming & Dipping
A SAFE Cymru accredited venue, reap the physical and mental benefits of the cool, clean waters of Llandegfedd in one of our supervised sessions.
Fishing
With excellent fishing conditions, both from bank and boat, Llandegfedd is regularly stocked with rainbow trout. Native brown trout and coarse fish may also be caught.
Walking
Choose your own path from a gentle stroll through the fields to a brisk six-mile hike around the lake and surrounding area. Some paths are closed from October to March.
Facilities
There is a visitor centre with a café and seasonal Grab & Go as well as a dedicated activity centre with changing rooms.
On the first floor of the visitor centre, the Lakeside Café offers freshly prepared food and drinks with vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free options available.
The activity centre is the hub for all water and land activities and also features a fantastic room for hire to get the most out of your awayday, meeting or conference.
There are seven designated parking bays outside the visitor centre and two outside the activity centre.
There is level access to the visitor centre and activity centre.
From the visitor centre reception, there are stairs and a lift to toilets and the café.
In the visitor centre, there is a single unisex accessible toilet that includes handrails and a baby changing table.
From the activity centre reception, there is level access to changing rooms and toilets and stairs and lift to the first-floor meeting room.
Set in the rolling landscape of southeast Wales, between Usk and Pontypool, Llandegfedd Lake comprises 434 acres with a rich array of habitats and a plethora of wildlife.
Protected Environments
Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) for overwintering birds.
Llandegfedd Lake is just twenty miles from Cardiff and under ten miles from the city of Newport. The nearest town is Pontypool.
Visitor Centre Grid Reference:
Visitor Centre what3words:
Google Maps: https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination= 51.68287480385541%2C-2.972400160640744 (opens in a new window)
Visitors from the south on the A4042 are advised to continue to the Cwmbran roundabout and take the left exit to avoid the particularly narrow country lanes from the Edlogan roundabout.
There is ample car parking on site with seven designated parking just outside the visitor centre and two just outside the activity centre.
The £3.00 parking charge covers all of the car parks, all day. 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.
Opening times are seasonal. Check the website (opens in a new tab) for details.
Llandegfedd Visitor Centre
Coed y Paen
Pontypool
Monmouthshire
NP4 0SY
0330 0413 381
llandegfeddenquiries@dwrcymru.com
Lisvane & Llanishen
South Wales
Lisvane & Llanishen Reservoirs Visitor Centre
Lisvane Road
Lisvane
Cardiff
CF14 0BB
Grid Reference: ST 18493 82325
What3Words: ///flute.escape.perky
Lat/Long: 51.533943, -3.176423
Llys-y-Frân
West Wales
Set in the foothills of the Preseli Mountains in Pembrokeshire, Llys-y-Frân Lake and Activity Centre reopened in June 2021 after an extensive refurbishment. It now offers a new Visitor Centre, café, mountain biking, pump skills area, walking trails, water and land activities, fishing and adventure playground, and a cycle hub with 14km of cycle trails.
