Discover Elan

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Discover Elan Welcome to Discover Elan (formerly Elan Links: People, Nature, Water), a page managed by the Elan Valley Trust.

This page will celebrate how special the Elan Valley Estate is for its wonderful nature, heritage and stunning dark skies. Sign up to our monthly newsletter: https://shorturl.at/X9Bce

Elan lies at the heart of the Cambrian Mountains in Mid Wales. Its unique landscape combines remote hill land, isolated farmsteads, steep-sided wooded valleys and an extraordinary feat of Victorian engineering that brought clean water to the then rapidly expanding industrial city of Birmingham. Today, Elan’s 20,000 hectares - 1% of Wales - is a haven for wildlife and people. It has a host of nature and landscape designations; and the 154,000 visitors a year enjoy the breath-taking scenery, nature, recreational facilities and extensive free educational and heritage-based resources for schools, families and communities. Our vision is ambitious - to generate a step-change increase in beneficial outcomes from this special place – for people, for communities and for heritage. To achieve this we have developed a strategic programme of investment to safeguard our heritage and to increase enjoyment, education, training, and recreation for the
benefit of all.

01/11/2026

Get ready for a spectacular night! 💥
The Elan Valley Social Club is hosting its annual Bonfire and Fireworks display this Thursday, November 5th. Join the fun at the Elan Village Green starting at 7:00 PM.
Admission: £5 Adults, children free.
Free parking at the Elan Valley Visitor Centre 👍

Paratowch at noson fawreddog! 💥
Mae Clwb Cymdeithas Cwm Elan yn cynnal ei arddangosfa Coelcerth a Thân Gwyllt blynyddol Ddydd Iau hyn, 5 Tachwedd. Dewch i ymuno yn yr hwyl ar Faes Pentref Cwm Elan gan ddechau am 7:00 PM.
Mynediad: £5 i Oedolion, plant am ddim.

Vibrant autumn colours in the Elan Valley. 🍂Gwisg yr hydref yng Nghwm Elan. 🍂📸 Rodney Holbrook
31/10/2026

Vibrant autumn colours in the Elan Valley. 🍂
Gwisg yr hydref yng Nghwm Elan. 🍂
📸 Rodney Holbrook

Our ecologist Fiona Gomersall, and volunteer engagement officer Olivia Boston-Smith joined curlew conservationists from ...
30/10/2026

Our ecologist Fiona Gomersall, and volunteer engagement officer Olivia Boston-Smith joined curlew conservationists from across Wales at the Gylfinir Cymru (Curlew Wales) Practitioners Meeting, alongside three of our dedicated volunteers, Tony, Tony and David.

Representatives from Wales's Important Curlew Areas came together to share the results of the 2026 breeding season, discuss the challenges facing this much-loved bird and explore the next steps in its recovery.

In the Elan Valley, volunteers recorded six confirmed breeding pairs and three further probable pairs during the 2026 season, with 14 chicks observed. One pair was even recorded nesting on recently restored peatland.

Wales has lost around 75% of its breeding curlews over the past three decades, and without effective conservation measures, the species is predicted to be on the brink of extinction as a viable breeding bird in Wales by 2033.

Protecting curlews depends on people working together across the landscape, from farmers and landowners to ecologists and volunteers.

Photo credit Tony Cross from the circa 2023 season.
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Ymunodd ein hecolegydd Fiona Gomersall ac Olivia Boston-Smith ein swyddog gwirfoddoli ac ymgysylltu, â chadwraethwyr y gylfinir ar draws Cymru yng nghyfarfod Ymarferwyr Gylfinir Cymru, ynghyd â Tony, Tony a David.

Fe ddaeth cynrychiolwyr o Ardaloedd Pwysig i’r Gylfinir yng Nghymru ddod at ei gilydd er mwyn rhannu canlyniadau tymor cenhedlu 2026, trafod yr heriau sy’n wynebu’r aderyn annwyl iawn hwn ac i archwilio’r camau nesaf ar gyfer ei arbed.

Yng Nghwm Elan, mae gwirfoddolwyr wedi cofnodi’n gadarnhaol, chwech phâr sy’n cenhedlu a thri phâr arall tebygol yn ystod tymor 2026, gyda 14 o gywion wedi eu gweld. Cafodd un pâr ei weld yn nythu ar fawndir newydd ei adfer.
Mae Cymru wedi colli oddeutu 75% o gylfinirod sy’n cenhedlu dros y tri degawd diwethaf. Heb fesurau cadwraethol effeithiol, mae’n debygol y bydd y rhywogaeth ar fin difodiant fel aderyn sy’n cenhedlu yn hyfyw yng Nghymru erbyn 2033.
Mae gwarchod y gylfinir yn dibynnu ar bobl yn gweithio gyda’i gilydd ar draws y tirweddau, o ffermwyr i’r tirfeddianwyr i ecolegwyr i wirfoddolwyr.

Please note the public bridleway through Llanerchi Wood/Coed Aberelan (the path on the left-hand side of Nantqwyllt Chur...
28/10/2026

Please note the public bridleway through Llanerchi Wood/Coed Aberelan (the path on the left-hand side of Nantqwyllt Church) is currently closed due to emergency repairs to the hydroelectricity cable under the bridleway surface.

Tonight heralds the Full Moon, also known as the Hunter's Moon. The Moon will rise in the north-east at 4.30pm. As you l...
25/10/2026

Tonight heralds the Full Moon, also known as the Hunter's Moon. The Moon will rise in the north-east at 4.30pm.

As you look out over the enchanting moonlit landscape of the Elan Valley, remember you’re standing in an International Dark Sky Park, managed by the Elan Valley Trust, a 45,000-acre area protected from artificial light pollution. The magical glow of the moonlight, unlike light pollution, ebbs and flows in a predictable pattern, allowing wildlife to use it for seasonal navigation, timing reproduction and foraging. Artificial light pollution, however, can be many times brighter than the Full Moon and continues to increase, disrupting those natural cues and processes.
Don't let artificial light erase the night. Switch off unnecessary outdoor lights and shield your outdoor fixtures lighting your home. You can also take a home lighting assessment: https://darksky.org/get-involved/home-lighting-assessment/
Image1: S Price, Images 2&3 Sorcha Lewis, Image 4: Megan Vaughan



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Cyhoeddi’r Lleuad Lawn heno, a elwir hefyd yn Lleuad yr Helwyr. Bydd y Lleuad yn codi yn y gogledd-ddwyrain am 4.30pm. Wrth i chi edrych dros dirwedd lleuad-oleuedig awyrol Cwm Elan, cofiwch eich bod chi'n sefyll mewn Parc Awyr Dywyll
Rhyngwladol, a reolir gan Ymddiriedolaeth Cwm Elan, ardal 45,000 erw sydd wedi'i diogelu rhag llygredd golau artiffisial. Mae llewyrch hudolus golau'r lleuad, yn hytrach na llygredd golau artiffisial, yn mynd a dod mewn patrwm rhagweladwy, gan ganiatáu i fywyd gwyllt ei ddefnyddio ar gyfer llywio tymhorol, amseru atgenhedlu a chwilio am fwyd. Ond, gall llygredd golau artiffisial fod sawl gwaith yn fwy disglair na'r Lleuad Lawn ac mae'n parhau i gynyddu, gan amharu ar y ciwiau a'r prosesau naturiol hynny. Peidiwch â gadael i olau artiffisial ddileu'r nos. Diffoddwch oleuadau awyr agored diangen, cysgodwch eich goleuadau cartref. Gallwch hefyd gymryd asesiad goleuadau cartref: https://darksky.org/get-involved/home-lighting-assessment/

A weekend of conservation work in the Elan ValleyThe Elan Valley Trust welcomed 18 students from the University of Birmi...
21/10/2026

A weekend of conservation work in the Elan Valley
The Elan Valley Trust welcomed 18 students from the University of Birmingham Conservation Group, who joined our Volunteer Officer, Olivia, for a weekend of practical conservation work.

Together, they:
- Carried out peatland field surveys to help inform future restoration plans.
- Removed Sitka spruce to give native oak and birch saplings space to re-establish.

Both activities contribute to the long-term restoration and management of habitats across the Elan Estate. A big thank you to everyone who gave up their weekend to lend a hand!

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Penwythnos o waith cadwraeth yn Nyffryn Elan
Croesawodd Ymddiriedolaeth Dyffryn Elan 18 o fyfyrwyr o Grŵp Cadwraeth Prifysgol Birmingham, a ymunodd â'n Swyddog Gwirfoddol, Olivia, am benwythnos o waith cadwraeth ymarferol.

Gyda'i gilydd, fe wnaethon nhw:
- Gynnal arolygon maes o fawndiroedd i helpu i lywio cynlluniau adfer yn y dyfodol.
- Tynnu pefrwydd Sitka i roi lle i eginblanhigion derw a bedw brodorol ailsefydlu.

Mae'r ddau weithgaredd yn helpu i adfer a rheoli cynefinoedd yn y tymor hir ar draws Ystâd Elan. Diolch o galon i bawb a roddodd o’u hamser dros y penwythnos i roi help llaw!

A few moments from the recent Tynllidiart gather.Farmers, shepherds, sheep and dogs on a September day in the Elan Valle...
20/10/2026

A few moments from the recent Tynllidiart gather.
Farmers, shepherds, sheep and dogs on a September day in the Elan Valley.
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Dyma rai lluniau o'r ymgynnull yn Nhynllidiart.
Ffermwyr, bugeiliaid, defaid a chŵn ar ddiwrnod ym mis Medi yn Nyffryn Elan.

Insect spotlight: The Oak Eggar Oak eggar caterpillars are found all across our uplands in the autumn and winter, but it...
19/10/2026

Insect spotlight: The Oak Eggar
Oak eggar caterpillars are found all across our uplands in the autumn and winter, but it is a rare sight to find the moth responsible for them.
The oak eggar is a furry moth that, despite its name, feeds preferentially on bilberry and heather. Hence, it's caterpillar form is a frequent sight in our uplands.
In fact, its name refers to its tough, brown, acorn-shaped cocoon that you may find lurking in the vegetation.
The moth pictured is a female, who tend to fly at dusk. Meanwhile, the males fly during the day, fast and low - looking for females.
If you're spending a day in the uplands, keep your eyes peeled for these velvet beauties or their fuzzy caterpillar form!
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Sylw ar bryfed: Ŵylun y Gwair
Mae lindys ŵylun y gwair i’w gweld ar draws ein hucheldiroedd yn yr hydref a'r gaeaf, ond anaml yr ydym yn dod o hyd i’r gwyfyn sy'n gyfrifol amdanyn nhw.
Mae ŵylun y gwair yn wyfyn blewog sydd, er gwaethaf ei enw, yn bwyta llus a grug yn bennaf. Felly, rydym yn ei weld yn aml yn ei ffurf lindys ar ein ucheldiroedd.
Mewn gwirionedd, mae ei enw yn cyfeirio at ei gocŵn caled, brown, siâp mesen y gallech ddod o hyd iddo yn llechu yn y llystyfiant.
Gwyfyn benyw sydd yn y llun, ac mae'n tueddu i hedfan pan mae hi’n nosi. Yn y cyfamser, mae'r gwyfynod gwryw yn hedfan yn ystod y dydd, yn gyflym ac yn isel - yn chwilio am wyfynod benyw.
Os ydych chi'n treulio diwrnod ar yr ucheldiroedd, ceisiwch gael cip ar yr hyfrydwch melfed hyn neu eu ffurf lindys blewog!

📸 Hazel Lee

☄ Dust from the most famous comet in history is about to light up our night sky. The Orionid meteor shower is active fro...
16/10/2026

☄ Dust from the most famous comet in history is about to light up our night sky. The Orionid meteor shower is active from 2nd October - 7th November, peaking on the night of October 21st.
Derived from Halley’s Comet, these meteors are famous for being fast, exceptionally bright, and leaving stunning, lingering trails of light. Expect around 15 meteors per hour during the peak.
The Moon’s waxing gibbous phase will interfere with seeing the peak of the shower but it will set at 3am on 22nd October, providing a couple of hours of darkness.

📸Matthew Larkin at Unsplash

☄ Mae llwch o'r gomed enwocaf mewn hanes ar fin goleuo awyr ein nos. Mae cawod meteor Orionid yn weithredol o 2 Hydref - 7 Tachwedd, gan gyrraedd ei hanterth ar noson 21 Hydref!
Yn deillio o Gomed Halley, mae'r sêr gwib hyn yn enwog am fod yn gyflym, yn eithriadol o lachar, ac yn gadael llwybrau golau syfrdanol, hir. Disgwyliwch tua 15 seren wib yr awr yn ystod yr anterth.
Amser Gorau i Wylio: Yr oriau di-loer, cyn y wawr yw’r amser gorau i gael golwg glir. Ewch i fan tywyll, gwisgwch yn gynnes, ac edrychwch i fyny!

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Rhayader
LD65HP

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm

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