Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Bus X16 goes to Builth Wells (30 minutes) and the X47 to Llandrindod Wells (30
minutes).
TOP OF CHAPTER
Elan Valley
The Elan Valley is filled with strikingly beautiful countryside, split by impressive Edwar-
dian impositions of grey stone on the landscape. In the early 19th century, dams were built
on the River Elan (pronounced ellen), west of Rhayader, mainly to provide a reliable wa-
ter supply for the English city of Birmingham. Around 100 people had to move, but only
landowners received compensation. In 1952 a fourth large dam was inaugurated on the
tributary River Claerwen. Together their reservoirs now provide over 70 million gallons of
water daily for Birmingham and parts of South and Mid-Wales.
Though not a project to warm Welsh hearts, the need to protect the 70-sq-mile water-
shed (called the Elan Valley Estate) has turned it and adjacent areas into an important
wildlife conservation area. The dams and associated projects also produce some 4.2 mega-
watts of hydroelectric power.
Sights & Activities
Elan Valley Visitor Centre
( 01597-810880;
www.elanvalley.org.uk
; 10am-5pm Mar-Oct)
Just downstream of the low-
est dam, 3 miles from Rhayader on the B4518, is Welsh Water's Elan Valley Visitor
Centre with interesting exhibits on the water scheme, complete with photos of houses be-
ing swallowed up by the waters, native wildlife and local history. It also provides leaflets
on the estate's 80 miles of nature trails and footpaths. Check the website for details of the
frequent guided walks and birdwatching trips, which are mostly free.
The
Elan Valley Trail
is an 8-mile traffic-free walking, horse-riding and cycling path that
mostly follows the line of the long-gone Birmingham Corporation Railway alongside the
River Elan and its reservoirs. It starts just west of Rhayader at Cwmdauddwr.
NATURE RESERVE
